I am a Grenade

(As an aside, I thought it was funny that my copy of this was used on the back to record inventory count for a work-related event)


The page reads:

SOME GENERAL VALUES OF WORKING CLASS CULTURE
[These are some observations of general cultural values and tendencies and are not meant to be cultural stereotypes but recognitions]

1. COMMUNICATION: To the Point
Direct (even blunt), sometimes impassioned, accepts arguing
Functional (not reflective)
Story Telling--Passing on values, history
Speak the truth (Yet keep it in the family)
Humor--Laugh to survive--Getting Down to it

2. FAMILY: Blood Ties
Support each other
Stay close to home
Parental rule--Often Patriarchy
Persistence and Ingenuity: Making do--Getting by
Sacrifice

3. COMMUNITY: Neighborhood
Mutual Respect and Cooperation
Democratic & Egalitarian
Treat others fairly, especially the "little guy"
Often denial and anger
Difficulty is seeing multiple perspectives

4. WORK ETHIC:  Work as fabric of life
Providing for family
Hard work and Follow through
Respect for tools & maintenance
Having a good job
Functional & Practical--Getting things done
Time is money--Work sets schedule

5.  EDUCATION: Get One
Value basic education--
as a means of achieving "a good life"
as a means of achieving "freedom of choice"
But not too much education--"Don't forget where you came from."
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I am enjoying Jensen's book so far, especially the parts about language.  When we were asked the first week of class to write about what we thought our class position was, I recall thinking of myself as more working class with some middle class values thrown in.  I cited my parent's jobs, the 'culture' and 'art' that came from my paternal grandmother, and schooling.  I never really thought about language as being a sort of class indicator, at least not in the way that Jensen has articulated.

From page 54 to about page 59

Maybe I was just really tired when I read this and the copy was wicked bad, but I did not like parts of this article.

Generally, I just felt like there was a severe lack of intersectionality in this discussion.

But I'll back up...