Post by oliviamoler on Aug 9, 2011 22:01:07 GMT -5
While reading Barbra Ehrenreich’s book Nickel and Dimed, I was thoroughly intrigued. As selfish and wrong as this may sound, I do not believe that if given, I could offer up my normal, suitable lifestyle to live a life in poverty essentially. This sweet lady worked her butt off for months and months just so she could see how most of America lives. Along her journey she meets several inspirational and hard working people, along with a few meaningless individuals. She slowly uncovers the heartache and struggle of working multiple minimum wage jobs while still trying to afford rent, food, and gas for her car. Throughout the story, Ehrenreich describes the life that she is undergoing. Having to work literally all day just so she could have a little food on the table that night. I believe that everyone should work hard. Nothing should be handed to any person unless the circumstance becomes necessary. As much as I feel like Ms. America in my interview portion of the pageant, I honestly do wish that everyone had equal opportunity to food, water, shelter, and education. The American society today has become so extremely stereotypical to underclass individuals. Any American that is dependent on Welfare is automatically looked at as lazy, worthless, selfish, and non-deserving. This is pathetic. Having helped out with the horrible ice storm a few years back, I know that not everyone in need is honest or thankful, but that is not the case for all individuals. It broke my heart to see people at that state. As Ehrenreich writes “They neglect their own children so that the children of others will be cared for; they live in substandard housing so that other homes will be shiny and perfect; they endure privation so that inflation will be low and stock prices high. To be a member of the working poor is to be an anonymous donor, a nameless benefactor, to everyone.” People do what they have to do so that they find peace in life. Reading Ehrenreich’s story made everything seem so real-probably because it was real. Her details and explanations for simply following through with this huge mess made me, a lazy teenager that works 4 hours a week answering phones at a hair salon, feel so worthless. I tip my hat to Barbra for allowing herself to go through heartbreak, hunger, extremely laborious days, verbal abuse, mental abuse, drug abuse, happiness, excitement and much more simply to show the world what people take advantage of everyday. The only issue that I have with the story is the restrictions that she gave herself. Any American that has to work two to three jobs a day and still can’t make ends meet is not able to enjoy some of the luxuries that she was able to fall back on. I am not disapproving of the idea of setting boundaries when necessary, I am just making the point that we read how horrible her story was, think about how crazy it is for the individuals that had to live in cars, shower when the rare opportunity came into play, eat when there was just enough change found on the floor for a little bag of chips. It is so sad to see what Americans face throughout a twenty-four hour day. I am so lucky to have food, water, shelter, and a great education given to me by my hard working parents. Barbra Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed teaches many lessons on being grateful for what you have and to not live superfluously.