For those who need more clarification about this blog below (especially after some questions I got about my purpose to write it — with the “dirty” words and everything): the point of this article is that, this is how many otherwise decent people (because of their own prejudice without first-hand knowledge and stereotype in corporate media) paint poor workers, even though these workers keep the economic machine running day and night, and the privileged (such as me) take advantage of their hard work, sweat and blood, and often behind-the-scene, 24/7 efforts. Very few of us appreciate what they do for us, and how they do it. This slant, ridicule and denigration now turned out to be a global phenomenon: work and workers are generally looked down upon. Media especially here in the U.S. rarely paint a positive picture about our workers and their enormous contribution. Working men and women — especially the blue collar and poor workers — are almost always taken for granted. Their hardship, pain and struggle are rarely mentioned.
This post is a response to the name calling and stereotyping — written with a sarcastic flavor. I do not ever want to hurt the feelings of these workers, their families, or anybody else. I apologize if somebody gets hurt: it could be my wrong word choice. But I wrote it this way on purpose — to drive a point home.
I have worked with American workers for many years now. All I wrote here is from real-life experiences I gathered in bits and pieces at various places and opportunities to meet, teach and work with these unsung heroes.
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- Can You Believe that? Geez…!
-One-
I met a bunch of American workers. Lazy, illiterate, fat, foul-mouth, stinky American workers.
Those parasites! No work and big pay. Lifelong life support by our no-good big government.
I didn’t spare no words. I gave them a mouthful.
I said, “Hey! Come! Look at this photo (worker in hard hat taking a nap on his tractor). This guy is sleeping on the job. And that too, on his CAT.” I said, “I mean, how stupid this jerk is! Would you believe! He could be squashed and killed between those big wheels.”
I said, “this guy is what you are all about, you know? Lazy. Idiot. Illiterate. Don’t get it between good and bad. Don’t you see?”
They didn’t protest for once. Good, I said. How could they protest? What could they say? They didn’t say a word. Ha! What can they say, I said. They were busy eating their lunch. One guy even finished his bologna sandwich and coke, climbed up his pickup truck, and lied down by a bunch of garbage-filled plastic bags — on a piece of plastic — with his stupid, dirty jeans on. Another guy got into his parked Ford Taurus, and started takin’ a nap in the back seat. He started snoring after just half a minute, right in front of my eyes!
So uncivilized, I said. Not only they’re lazy and stupid, but they got no manners too! They’re snoring in public!
Lazy! Fat! Overeaten! Overdrunk! Can’t do no job without taking a big break.
And do you know how much money they earn? A big, fat bundle. I didn’t ask, but I know they make big bucks.
I know they’re all overpaid.
I also heard that they wake up everyday at 4 A.M., get out to work at 5, and in the evening they even go to school. Some labor college, they said. And their union pays for their college. See, that’s the other problem. Why do you waste so much time going to some no-name college? I know many of us didn’t go to college. We’re doing okay. Why can’t you?
Wake up at 4? Why? Like, is there a special reason you need to get up so early? You don’t show up to work until 9. And then you take a break at 12…and take a nap too!
And think about these rich, fat unions? Think how much money they have! No wonder they have so much power. Money and muscle. Isn’t that what American labor unions stand for? All fat liars and crooks.
Makes me sick!
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No Wonder People Make Such Cartoons! There’s a Reason.
-Two-
Those stupid plumbers. Man, they smell so bad! And they tell such filthy stories.
I saw them once. And I saw them all. Man, these people are really dirty! And oh yes, they’re really stupid.
I knew it all along.
So, I met a bunch of plumbers in Long Island City, Queens, and in ten minutes into meeting them, I know why people do such cartoons about’em. I mean, look, there’s a reason for it. They tell such filthy stories and say such filthy jokes!
And they smell so bad! Now, why in the world do those plumbers smell so bad especially when they’re on the job?
Like, just ten minutes into our meeting, one guy started telling his buddies how they were forced to work on some Goddamn thirty seventh floor of some Goddamn Manhattan building with no bathroom anywhere, and they were on an emergency twelve-hour shift, and they had to pee in a bucket. And then the other guy said he saw a coworker shitting in a plastic bag and stuff! I mean, WTFH, don’t they have no shame? He said there was no bathroom, the water was turned off for their big plumbing work, and the elevator was shut off, so they had no other choice.
I said, oh, man! I said, no man!
I said, yeah right! So, why don’t you stop overstuffing yourself with so much food and drink so much Heineken on the job? I mean, if you knew there would be no proper place to pee, why do you have to keep drinking your booze all the time?
They said they didn’t drink beer on the job. But I knew they were lying in a straight face. They drink, they smoke, and they do stuff you can’t even imagine!
These people were not just foulmouthed, smelly plumbers, they were big liars too.
No wonder people have such bad impression about American workers. Just look at the cartoon. You’ll know.
I saw a handful. And I saw them all.
And, why would people go into that stinky plumbing job in the first place?
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-Three-
Are They Going on a Mars Trip or Something? Huh!
Asbestos Removal: What Bullshit!
I then met a bunch of asbestos guys. Man, what bullshit they give you 24/7. As if your life depends on their stupid asbestos abatement! I just laughed and laughed hearing their crap.
So, they dress up like astronauts…you know…the guys landing on the moon and stuff! I mean, just look at them…don’t they look funny!
They said they were removing asbestos flying in the air in some old, dilapidated building in East Brooklyn. Now, why in the world do you have to wear those stupid clothes? And what are those on your face…are you ghostbusters or something? Gosh, don’t get me started!
They said asbestos was so dangerous that unless removed properly, it could cause lung cancer and all…in your lungs. You can cough blood doing asbestos work. And you can like…die. Yeah, right! So, wear a white filter paper cap on your face and cover up your nose. Worried about your hair? Cover it up! Use a pair of rubber gloves. Don’t talk while your work, right? Nothing can get in unless you breathe it in! Take a shower when you get back home.
Simple!
See, this is how they really jack up the price tab on the employer and then force them to buy those fancy suits and masks and stuff. Respirator, negative pressure pump, HEPA filter, three-layered plastic, loads of duct tape, helmet, amended water and all those expensive items. Then, the special landfill. I mean, gimme a break. I know what you’re doing: you’re blasting your employer and your contractor with a huge bill. And then you’ll charge us big bucks too. Don’t think for a moment we don’t get that.
I know how you do it, make big money, and then get those pols to pass laws to save your little white, black or brown asses. I mean, who cares about what the employer sacrifices for you? Nobody!
How many people actually died of asbestos black lung…just tell me?
Many? Thousands? Since when? Where?
Here in the U.S.? Cananda? China? India?
Not here in the USA, no siree. Not here. We always took good care of our workers.
And they never complained too. And never showed us those OSHA, EPA and HEPA stuff.
Enough is enough!
Parasites. No work. Lazy. Big breaks. Stupid jokes. Still get lifelong support by our no-good, big government.
And the illegal aliens? They’re the worst.
I’ll tell you more stories later.
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Sincerely Writing,
Partha
Brooklyn, New York
The Worst Parasite, Ever! Killing Our America!
Brilliant composition: the style, the simplicity, the shuttle underlying points and the sarcasm. Even if these stories were not true, the piece is still worth reading and thinking about. And if the stories are true, you are really acourageous person. But the question remains, is all this a reflection of your annoyance with things that you do not personally like or a mere composition. You have added a new dimension to sermonising to your blog.
Thanks a lot. It’s all true. I’ll add more to it.
Go back to your own country. You’re obviously not an American (as the various grammatical errors can attest to), you illiterate jackass.
I only kept your comment and did not delete it because I wanted to show others (1) how much hate you have for people like me; and (2) that you do not have enough intelligence to understand what I wrote. But thank you: your comments — however negative and unfounded — also helped me to understand life a little more.
Yes , Partha , you do well to keep comments like this .After all i was initially very surprised to see the caption of the article and that is exactly what made me read it. Your article is full of sympthy for the workers, and i think it extends to workers beyond geographical bounderies.
You do well , because who knows it might open up dialogues and make us understand that we are not so different ,whatever nation we come from.
Keep going. 🙂
Thank you, Rashmee. One such word of appreciation goes a long way. Please write more and visit my little blog whenever you can. We do not have big powers, but we do have small powers of hope, kindness and solidarity. We shall overcome.
Reblogged this on onefinalblog and commented:
I am reblogging this post with a special introduction. Thank you for your interest. I would much appreciate your thoughts and feedback.
At the same time you could let American workers know that there are Indian workers who earn eqiuvalent to $150 or less working as zenitors and part-time cycle carriage vans, toiling for 12 hours a day, 6 days a week to feed himself, his wife and three children between three and seven years: and there are many millions of such workmen in the country of uur origin.
We know it very well, Dr. Sen. I came from there — from a poor family. I know. At the same time, I know based on my long experience to work with American workers what they go through; the economic model is completely against and exploitative of them. And I’m not even talking about the plight of the undocumented immigrant workers. This corporate economy — heavily endorsed and pushed by Wall Street, IMF and World Bank — does not value work and workers; it only values profit and power.
The blogs you are writing Partha, is really appreciable, you are spreading consciousness and presenting things as they really are. you are doing a noble work..I do not see you as an American or Indian, when you write about human sufferings, you become universal. Why we have developed a tendency to deny, reject and ignore the truth at any cost.I guess it hurts when we feel someone is doing the right thing that might have been done by us long before. It also hurts when we feel we were obeying the norms as our personal gains are related to it, we cant revolt as we ourselves are part of it. Seeing a person revolting and courageously saying the truth, while we can not, hurts severely.
Thank you so much, Susmita, for your kind comments. It really helps to sustain my energy, which is a precious commodity. I shall keep doing it as long as I live. I hope some friends like you carry the torch on, and teach as many people as possible. Yes, I do not write about these issues either as an Indian or an American; I talk about them as a global citizen. And I said it many times before: I do not make it up. All of it is true and comes from my real-life experience. Thanks again. Please share if you can.
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🙂