Staff!!!
The best way that I can relate my
experience of working with Candy World’s staff to citizenship is by focusing on
the social hierarchy within the business. There is an unofficial, but evident
“social hierarchy of jobs” in my workplace just as there are hierarchies in all
places, “There seems no place where hierarchical status-orderings aren’t
discoverable” (Fussell 5). The social hierarchy within Candy World begins with
the storeowner at the top, followed by the head management, next is the lower
management, then the cashiers whose jobs are at the bottom of the pyramid. (See
contextual link for information about employees and responsibilities). Those
who are a cashier are viewed differently from those who are of a management
position by the boss, though nothing is officially pointed out. The employees
with lower menial jobs are generally distrusted or often seen as incompetent.
Evidence of where one stand in the social hierarchy is based off of the
responsibilities that are given to the employees. Even though things such as class
are abstract concepts, we make those sort of concepts reality and insist that
“…in individual perception and understanding… which we refrain from publicizing
– we arrange things vertically and insist on crucial differences in value” also “it’s as if in our heart of
hearts we… don’t want agglomerations, but distinctions” (Fussell 5).
Because I have been aware of these hierarchies, as I am directly a part of one, I do not necessarily agree with them, but understand it is something present in our society. These experiences have affected my citizenship because I am for the most part, am more of an individualist and look out only for myself. As a citizen of the U.S. and a member of its society I value the pursuit of self-interest in hopes of climbing the social ladder to a higher rank. In today’s current system one must work hard and climb the social ladder to gain respect within society. Knowing an invisible class structure such as this is evident helps broaden my awareness of the political structures within this society which may benefit me to be a more informed citizen and work within the system. However, again these experiences are a main reason for me not being involved in any community, and have also given me pessimistic views that such a system cannot be changed. Although after learning what I have through NCC, I have desires stirring inside to perhaps fight back.
Contextual Links:
Employees
Conversational Links:
(none)
Associational Links:
Location and Citizenship, Products and Citizenship, Bibliography
Navigational Links:
Place and Citizenship Main Page
Image Citation:
Staff Image: http://www.wpclipart.com/tmp/1209656874.jpg