I guess we like these stories because getting enjoyment and fulfillment out
of a routine unskilled job takes a special talent. One gets the feeling
that Ana's traffic cop, your cook or my toll-collector could have earnt
lots of money, but their special quality allowed them to get total
fulfillment from what we could never cope with. I think this is something
different from the "Aunt Jamima Syndrome". Poor people doing routine jobs
are not usually happy in their job. But the prospect that anyone is capable
of enjoying their job is a kind of Utopian vision, and just a few people
are capable of living that vision.
Andy
At 03:46 AM 17/12/2003 -0800, you wrote:
>There is a local resturaunt by our house which is a
>favorite because of the cook. Usually the cook is kind
>of hidden in the back, but this one comes out, goes to
>your table, and cracks a joke or two. One day, the
>summer after 9-1-1, my kids and I went there and a
>group of elderly church like ladies came in with red
>hats. This cook came out out and loudly asked, "what's
>up with those red hats". He then loudly proclaimed,
>"Ladies and gentleman, beware its the red hatted
>terrorists."
>
>Yet, there seems to be this other side too, Aunt
>Jaminma factor. If one looks at old 1930's cartoons,
>which were clearly propaganda, one sees these strong
>images of African Americans happy as shit in their
>oppression.
>
>So, I have these mixed feelings. On the one hand, I
>agree with much of what is said. Those that are
>economically and socially oppressed are able to find
>enjoyment in their work. Yet, what interpretation does
>the powers that be make of this with studies that
>focus on enjoyment. Is it like the Aunt Jamina
>propaganda films that aim to show society that 1930's
>African American life can't be that bad if Aunt Jamima
>is that happy.
>
>I remember this old Christmas story that might be
>pertinant. Its begins like the classic two worlds
>story. There are two children, one rich and one poor,
>the day after Christmas. One, the rich child, got all
>the newest toys; DVD player, X-Box, Bratz dolls, wide
>screen tv etc, while the other, the poor child, only
>got a big bag of shit. After about an hour the rich
>kid is bored and not sure what to play with next,
>while the poor kid is still enjoying playing with his
>shit.
>
>I'm not sure why I was told this story as a child.
>Partly I suppose to demonstrate how I was much happier
>than any rich child with a silver spoon in his mouth.
>
>
>
>=====
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