Would You Manage A Manual Labor Job?

From the beginning of the semester, up until this current point, and until the very end of this semester we will hear about manual labor careers. For example, we have read about farming, working in a factory, and being a specific type of mechanic, but could you imagine doing back breaking labor for the rest of your life? I just don't think that many of us are able to put into perspective how hard some people work in order to keep themselves afloat in todays society. As you read on you will hear more about the daily lives of some men who chose the careers in the manual labor field. 

In Studs Terkel's book Working, we read about Mike Lefevre, as well as "Lincoln James, a Factory Mechanic." We also get to hear from John Lefever in David Plotz's podcast "How Does an Appliance Repairman Work" Each of these pieces goes into the lives of individual men who have dedicated their lives to manual labor.

First, work for Lincoln James is just more than just making money. Terkel quotes James on various occasions in the chapter stating that he is a hard worker and could not imagine not working. Lincoln says, "I like what I'm doing.  I never been laid off in thirty-six years.  I look forward to going to work.  I'd be lost if I wasn't working" (112). Even though some people may think Lincoln's work is back breaking and worthless, he seems to have found meaning with his job. After reading about James Lincoln, we enter the work life of Mike Lefevre. 

Next up is Lefevre, a laborer.  He works long days doing hard physical labor.  Lefevre likes to be able to point out something that he has created, , "I made that."  He says, "I'd like to make my imprint.  My dodo bird.  A mistake, mine.  Let's say the whole building is nothing but red bricks.  I'd like to have just the black one or the white one or the purple one" He wants to be able to point something out to his family and show them what he's done. This gives him a huge boost of confidence and creates pride in what he does. He believes even though he sometimes he makes a mistake, it's still his mistake. His mistake is noticeable and makes him realize he did it. 

After reading each piece, we listened to Slate's podcast "How Does an Appliance Repairman Work?" David Plotz interviewed a man named John Lefever, who has been an appliance repairman. He, like Lincoln James, truly enjoys his job. There are many instances throughout the podcast where Plotz exploits Lefever's willingness to go above and beyond the job description of an appliance repairman. Plotz uses a comparison of  him as a doctor, who "visits each of his patients at their homes and correctly diagnoses the proper treatments" I believe this is shows a lot of character for John and shows that his work means more to him than just a job that pays him. 

Something to leave you with: 

Would you be able to share the same passion that these men have for their work, even thought it is so physically demanding?