Difference between revisions of "325--2011--Week 3 Questions/Comments"
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In regards to Frederick Douglass, I read that article wondering how common it was back then for a "Master" to stand up for their slave and to go as far as to see what could be done about the way Mr Douglass was treated. - Matthew Beere | In regards to Frederick Douglass, I read that article wondering how common it was back then for a "Master" to stand up for their slave and to go as far as to see what could be done about the way Mr Douglass was treated. - Matthew Beere | ||
| − | Like most people, I was appalled at reading about the types of working conditions Frederick Douglass faced as he learned his craft as a calker in Baltimore. He claimed to have 75 masters that he had to answer to, often all at once. However, as I thought more about it, I realized that perhaps not much has changed in the American workplace to this very day. Of course, physical assault is no longer permitted and slavery has long since been abolished, but there is still a strong, some would even say intimidating corporate hierarchy that exists in almost any white-collar setting. Douglass expressed his disdain for having to answer to several masters all at once, and how overwhelmed he felt. Is this really so different from the modern day office setting, in which workers lowest on the totem pole have to answer to several different bosses, one in a different and often times higher position than the next? Bosses are no longer able to verbally assault workers in the way Douglass was abused, but there still seems to be polite, as well as subversive discrimination taking place in the white-collar working world. We are now in an era where white people can actually claim that they face “reverse discrimination” due to affirmative action. However, I personally believe that discrimination against females and minorities still exists in the hiring and promotion process, no matter how disguised it may be. We may like to think we have come a long way since the days of Frederick Douglass working in Baltimore, but perhaps there is still much more that can be done to make the workplace a more worker-friendly and less intimidating environment. ~Kevin Gottschalk | + | Like most people, I was appalled at reading about the types of working conditions Frederick Douglass faced as he learned his craft as a calker in Baltimore. He claimed to have 75 masters that he had to answer to, often all at once. However, as I thought more about it, I realized that perhaps not much has changed in the American workplace to this very day. Of course, physical assault is no longer permitted and slavery has long since been abolished, but there is still a strong, some would even say intimidating corporate hierarchy that exists in almost any white-collar setting. Douglass expressed his disdain for having to answer to several masters all at once, and how overwhelmed he felt. Is this really so different from the modern day office setting, in which workers lowest on the totem pole have to answer to several different bosses, one in a different and often times higher position than the next? Bosses are no longer able to verbally assault workers in the way Douglass was abused, but there still seems to be polite, as well as subversive discrimination taking place in the white-collar working world. We are now in an era where white people can actually claim that they face “reverse discrimination” due to affirmative action. However, I personally believe that discrimination against females and minorities still exists in the hiring and promotion process, no matter how disguised it may be. We may like to think we have come a long way since the days of Frederick Douglass working in Baltimore, but perhaps there is still much more that can be done to make the workplace a more worker-friendly and less intimidating environment. ~Kevin Gottschalk |
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| + | The beatings and abuse of Frederick Douglas as tragic as they are was a sign of the times. It seems like Mr. Douglas was a decent man trying to improve his stature by working hard and learning new skills. His master rewarded him with a second chance and he grabbed it and he succeeded in making a comfortable life for himself as a slave. He used his skills to contract himself out and do side jobs that helped him gain self-respect. This new found self-respect gave him a glimpse at the freedom he so desired. The battle for respect and upward mobility in society is not always a fair fight. Mr. Douglas's insight into his current situation seem to ignite his passion for liberty and gave him hope for the future. - Matt Slagle | ||
== Judith McGaw, Gender and Papermaking == | == Judith McGaw, Gender and Papermaking == | ||
