Comments on: Excuse Me, but Your Blue Collar Is Showing

By: Sagaree Sengupta

Sagaree Sengupta — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 15:39:19 +0000

Loved the piece. I think of “passing” as a temporary strategy anyway. Eventually, you just get down to who you are, wherever you are.

By: Myra Clark

Myra Clark — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 21:35:26 +0000

You voice what I notice being married to a man from a wealthier socio-economic group than the one I grew up in, and also see working at an independent (ie private) school with a public school background. My grandparents included a welder, several telegraph operators, and a secretary. My mother was lawn mower repair shop owner. I was the first to graduate from college and the only one to go to grad school. It’s a great background – and one that doesn’t “fit in” with many people that I am with now. Those that have money don’t understand the impact of not having had it, or not having had much. Once I became aware of all of this, I have taken more risks to let students at my school know more about me, especially when they do not come from very privileged backgrounds. It’s a bridge building position, and an honor. It’s also a position running counter to the mainstream white middle class majority, and that has not gotten any easier over time.

By: Prosper Barter

Prosper Barter — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:34:36 +0000

Apparently, many of us who have “moved up” feel this way. The very terminology moving up is so telling; the shame associated with being poor or working class–or anything other than wealthy and upper class–is built into our society and has been for some time. I wonder how many of us who have benefited from moving classes are also engaged in looking carefully at our society and working for the empowerment of all people.

By: Terry

Terry — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 00:33:27 +0000

Most writers do come from blue collar families. That’s why they’re such astute observers. They watch from the outside.

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:34:46 +0000

Caitlin, you’ve made my week. I never expected so many people to connect with what I wrote here (I’m getting a lot of messages on Facebook, too, and personal e-mails). It is wonderful, isn’t it, to know you’re not alone? I feel much more connected and just plain understood after hearing from so many people. Bless Lorraine Lopez for putting those essays together, and bless all the writers involved! And don’t worry, it’s clear that you WILL always own and proudly claim your blue collar roots. If you’re already thinking so deeply about this issue at such a young age, you can’t help but do yourself and everyone proud, regardless of class, profession, roots. Best wishes finishing school and making your white-collar way in the field of interior design.

By: Caitlin Brown

Caitlin Brown — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 22:01:39 +0000

I can’t tell you how thankful I am to have run across this today. I’m 22 and just recently have I come to the realization that I just don’t quite fit in with my white collar peers. I come from a working class family from Oklahoma but am attending Kansas State University where I’m studying interior design. It’s incredibly difficult (due to the nature of my chosen major) to know that my peers don’t know the value of “hard work” and the honesty of working with your hands and serving people. It is absolutely imperative that I OWN and proudly claim my blue collar roots…I just hope I don’t lose sight of what’s really important in my pursuit of this profession. I will certainly be purchasing the collection of essays you mentioned, I need to know how other women got through the struggle. Thank you SO much for posting this, it’s so comforting knowing others have grappled with the same issue.

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:21:24 +0000

Thank you all so much for your comments.
* Robin, yes! I think we have to remind other people sometimes that they’re making assumptions. But other times I realize I’ve just made an ass of myself with one of my blurts. That’s okay, too, I guess.
* Beth, I keep forgetting to ask! As for blurting, I can give you a tutorial. Game?
* Gwen, I love the topic of your critical thesis. You are obviously much more in touch with this stuff than I have been.
* Angela, what a treat to hear from you! I’m so pleased you liked my little homage to you and your colleagues. I hope the book will be widely read. And yes, I can relate and know I always will. Again, thank you for your essay. It really touched me.