(no subject)
On a personal/individual level: a goal for a status quo that is of equality...
How can you strive for equality (class, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality), thrive (I think “thrive” might need some context.) and yet not sell your soul to the devil? I thought it was by removing myself from capitalism; working in a non-profit. I’ve come to realize that non-profits do nothing to change the existing patriarchal system; in fact they arguably make the situation worse by appearing to help when in reality the only legitimate the existing power structure. Non-profits are an outlet for the privileged-classes to mask their allegiance to the existing capitalistic patriarchy. Non-profits might help individuals but overall they only maintain the status quo. Is there a way that I can be employed in overhauling the system? It seems that the goal of academics (as a part of the act of critiquing the system) is to overhaul the system, but they are poor at suggesting interventions, much less enacting them. Academia is ineffective and is only accessible to the privileged white straight male upper class. Where are people making the changes? (It’s not to be found in running for office. Politicians are intrinsic to the system and as such they uphold the capitalistic/patriarchal status quo most vehemently.)
How do I get rid of or deal with my class privilege? I thought working for below minimum wage (being poor) would remove me of my class privilege, but it isn’t that simple is it? “Class is much more than Marx’s definition of relationship to the means of production. Class involves your behavior, your basic assumptions, how you are taught to behave, what you expect from yourself and others, your concept of a future, how you understand problems and solve problems, how you think, feel, act." [quote from the book I'm reading] No matter how poor I am I’ll still be able to have a better job because I have the poise and life skills (not to mention college diploma) to pull it off. So do I sell out, accept my lot (although a quite privileged lot it is) climb to the top like capitalism wants me to (maintaining my personal integrity of course) and then give back and help from the top? I don’t think my personal integrity would survive that climb intact. Do I work my days away with a nice lifestyle and deal with changing the world on my personal time? Positive thought: At least I already recognize that I have class privilege.
I want to help people get along, accept each other and get things done that will help the world. (This is really two-fold since getting people to get along helps the world as it is.) Bonus points if by helping people get along I can also open their minds to be more accepting over-all. Guiding thought: The point of life is to use the talents you are given to their fullest towards and end that upholds your morals and values.
Counterpoint: Why the hell am I always taking the moral high ground.
Current career directions on the table:
-Human Resources Manager …specifically in a position that would allow me to deal with issues of equality and fair hiring practices.
-Project Manager
-Volunteer Coordinator…. My excessive utilization of fossil fuels (not to mention the waste of hours of my life) does not encourage me to remain in employment on the east side (or anywhere that is beyond reasonable bussing distance from my house.)
Peripheral Thoughts:
The paradox of change. Humans inherently, even naturally, fear change. (Things are good right now, why should they ever change?) But in the same breath they long for change. (This one thing sucks and everything would be perfect if only it would be different.) For each thing that one person loves and wants to keep, another person longs to change. (and vice versa.) And hence change only happens very slowly and it is hard to ascertain which direction its going and whether that direction is inherently good.
The ideal of equality of labor has recently hit my radar and I think I like the ideal. I have a college degree and get paid $5.55/hr. I’m not sure what the college degree really matters, but I figure I could be making closer to $20/hr with my given education, skills, and knowledge. More money is paid to CEO’s because they assume higher risk, responsibility. I'm not sure this is fair. To some extent CEO's are supposed to work longer hours… but that has its limits since sleeping and eating are necessary. When someone works in a factory job they do the most grueling work for the least amount of money. Even if those jobs were paid as much as a CEO, how many people would really want them? Why do some people lack the desire to find employment that is most-tolerable for them? How do you incite that in someone? Maybe I’m getting paid for my work ethic? Are all workaholics well paid? Why am I a poorly paid workaholic? (cause I'm gullible and soft-hearted!)
How do I know if I’m making an equal wage with my peers? Who the hell are "my peers"?
The girl sitting next to me looks like an ice-mummy while she’s sleeping.
How can I put my knowledge of feminism to work? (by not making wise ass retorts like the previous comment.)
On a global/big-picture level: how to change the system? Is it even possible?
[1] “Feminism is for Everybody” by Bell Hooks, South End Press
Please proceed to comment willy-nilly like. ...or not, how ever you want to do things :)
How can you strive for equality (class, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, nationality), thrive (I think “thrive” might need some context.) and yet not sell your soul to the devil? I thought it was by removing myself from capitalism; working in a non-profit. I’ve come to realize that non-profits do nothing to change the existing patriarchal system; in fact they arguably make the situation worse by appearing to help when in reality the only legitimate the existing power structure. Non-profits are an outlet for the privileged-classes to mask their allegiance to the existing capitalistic patriarchy. Non-profits might help individuals but overall they only maintain the status quo. Is there a way that I can be employed in overhauling the system? It seems that the goal of academics (as a part of the act of critiquing the system) is to overhaul the system, but they are poor at suggesting interventions, much less enacting them. Academia is ineffective and is only accessible to the privileged white straight male upper class. Where are people making the changes? (It’s not to be found in running for office. Politicians are intrinsic to the system and as such they uphold the capitalistic/patriarchal status quo most vehemently.)
How do I get rid of or deal with my class privilege? I thought working for below minimum wage (being poor) would remove me of my class privilege, but it isn’t that simple is it? “Class is much more than Marx’s definition of relationship to the means of production. Class involves your behavior, your basic assumptions, how you are taught to behave, what you expect from yourself and others, your concept of a future, how you understand problems and solve problems, how you think, feel, act." [quote from the book I'm reading] No matter how poor I am I’ll still be able to have a better job because I have the poise and life skills (not to mention college diploma) to pull it off. So do I sell out, accept my lot (although a quite privileged lot it is) climb to the top like capitalism wants me to (maintaining my personal integrity of course) and then give back and help from the top? I don’t think my personal integrity would survive that climb intact. Do I work my days away with a nice lifestyle and deal with changing the world on my personal time? Positive thought: At least I already recognize that I have class privilege.
I want to help people get along, accept each other and get things done that will help the world. (This is really two-fold since getting people to get along helps the world as it is.) Bonus points if by helping people get along I can also open their minds to be more accepting over-all. Guiding thought: The point of life is to use the talents you are given to their fullest towards and end that upholds your morals and values.
Counterpoint: Why the hell am I always taking the moral high ground.
Current career directions on the table:
-Human Resources Manager …specifically in a position that would allow me to deal with issues of equality and fair hiring practices.
-Project Manager
-Volunteer Coordinator…. My excessive utilization of fossil fuels (not to mention the waste of hours of my life) does not encourage me to remain in employment on the east side (or anywhere that is beyond reasonable bussing distance from my house.)
Peripheral Thoughts:
The paradox of change. Humans inherently, even naturally, fear change. (Things are good right now, why should they ever change?) But in the same breath they long for change. (This one thing sucks and everything would be perfect if only it would be different.) For each thing that one person loves and wants to keep, another person longs to change. (and vice versa.) And hence change only happens very slowly and it is hard to ascertain which direction its going and whether that direction is inherently good.
The ideal of equality of labor has recently hit my radar and I think I like the ideal. I have a college degree and get paid $5.55/hr. I’m not sure what the college degree really matters, but I figure I could be making closer to $20/hr with my given education, skills, and knowledge. More money is paid to CEO’s because they assume higher risk, responsibility. I'm not sure this is fair. To some extent CEO's are supposed to work longer hours… but that has its limits since sleeping and eating are necessary. When someone works in a factory job they do the most grueling work for the least amount of money. Even if those jobs were paid as much as a CEO, how many people would really want them? Why do some people lack the desire to find employment that is most-tolerable for them? How do you incite that in someone? Maybe I’m getting paid for my work ethic? Are all workaholics well paid? Why am I a poorly paid workaholic? (cause I'm gullible and soft-hearted!)
How do I know if I’m making an equal wage with my peers? Who the hell are "my peers"?
The girl sitting next to me looks like an ice-mummy while she’s sleeping.
How can I put my knowledge of feminism to work? (by not making wise ass retorts like the previous comment.)
On a global/big-picture level: how to change the system? Is it even possible?
[1] “Feminism is for Everybody” by Bell Hooks, South End Press
Please proceed to comment willy-nilly like. ...or not, how ever you want to do things :)