SRW’s 4-1/2 cents:
One of my friends sent this to me the other day. I just have to marvel that so many folks have picked up on what Mike has been saying and one of the big areas our site is trying to focus on. What is that? The ridiculous but real stigmas we associate with hard work. Some don’t like “labeling” folks blue or white or green collars (I made the green one up but it’ll happen – mark my words…) or trade workers or whatever. Labels are labels and in my opinion nobody should be limited to the perceived confines of a label. We have to PROMOTE hard work and focus on the fact that while many “white collar” folks have lost those jobs, especially lately, there are other folks who are working hard. What are some of the first things we look to do after a recession? Building? Making repairs? Remodeling? Finding a stock broker? Not that I have anything against stock brokers – one of my pals is a SB but my point is – life goes on during and after recessions and there are lots of folks still collecting paychecks. What’s the stigma there – that you’re still working and maybe even happy at work? Sounds good to me. Check this blog out – it’s quite good and yeah, it’s high time for a “brand”:
The Aspirational Blue Collar Brand By Jordan Childs
Last year, Mike Rowe gave a TED Talk about his show “Dirty Jobs” that culminated in him recognizing the value of hard work. Not the, “I spent ten hours putting together a spreadsheet” type of hard work, but the steel bending, dirt moving and back snapping type of hard work. The “blue collar” kind of hard work.
It’s a cultural phenomenon that my (our) generation is growing up with a completely different definition of success than previous generations. When our grandparents and great grandparents were huddled behind enemy lines in occupied Europe almost 70 years ago; they were not praying for the war to end so they could go home and be a creative director. They did not want to be the CEO of a major corporation or found the next innovation consultancy. They wanted to make it home to work hard. To build cars, drive cabs, open stores and contribute to the prosperity of a nation. We have lost this mentality today. We are a generation of immediate gratification and highest aspiration.
I reference the Mike Rowe talk because he speaks to something that is waiting to be championed. He notes that every year there are fewer plumbers, fewer electricians and enrollment in trade schools is dropping off exponentially. People are not looking at these careers and getting excited about the possibilities any longer. The life of the Blue Collar worker is becoming more and more unattractive.
When in actuality this is completely wrong. You want to know what an honorable day of work is? It’s performing a service that satisfies basic societal needs. We must begin bringing the appeal back to these jobs.
Read the rest HERE
