‘Hard Working’

I was all set to write up a post that showed no matter how “hard working” someone was, it still wouldn’t be enough in light of common wages. Then I realized I did it 20 months ago and it’s still mostly relevant now…

When Enough Isn’t Enough

The post shows (in arithmetic rather than liberal arts)* that no matter how “hard working” a person may be, than can very easily be rendered “poor” by the standards of common vernacular.

What I have noticed recently is that “hard working” is starting to mean the opposite of “poor” and this is false. Having spent a lot of time in the hospitality industry here in New Orleans, I saw many “hard working” folks who still couldn’t pay their bills via their wages. This was most noticeable in my short but memorable gig supervising housekeepers in the months following Katrina. There were a half-dozen people who worked at the hotel for 20+ years and were at the top of the raise scale. Doing the arithmetic, they would never keep up with the cost of living. So yes, they were poor, but dedicating yourself to a company and cleaning tourist rooms for twenty years (and twenty Mardi Gras) hardly resembles anything less than “hard working.”

Now, on the other hand, I have heard someone say that the phrase “hard-working” essentially means white folks and is a way of distinguishing races when other means aren’t available. I don’t buy that either. Thing is, anyone could be “hard working.” What people don’t understand is that the phrase is meant to differentiate class rather than race. It just so happens that a lot of poor people happen to be black but there are many, many white folks who are just as broke (just not so much in New Orleans). So to tie the phrase “hard working” to white folks vs. black folks is irresponsible. The larger issue that serves as the deeper meaning to all the race problems the nation faces is class. Race serves as an adequate public face for it. It’s easier to judge someone by the color of their skin rather than attempt a conversation to determine such factors as level of education, intelligence and, of course, yearly income.

Regardless, “hard working” vs “lazy” is a pitiful avatar no matter how you frame it up.

* The best part block quoted here (understand that the calculations were based on a Craigslist want ads that were running at the time ) …

So $12 an hour at 40 hours a week. That’s $1920 a month.

$1920
– $345 for taxes
——————–
$1575

– $800 for an 1 bedroom apartment in Riverbend (right down the street from the employer). You could also say $800 for a mortgage if this enterprising professional wanted to buy a home in the 100K – 125K range. (Mine is $1150)
——————–
$775

– $400 for a car payment and the insane insurance rates we are forced to pay in Orleans Parish.
——————–
$375

– $150 for heating and cooling give or take a hundred dollars in the fall and spring but putting it back in the summer and winter. I am low-balling here I know.
——————–
$225

– $60 for gas
——————–
$165

– $40 for Sewage and Water Board
——————–
$125

– $225 for food (Mine is $350)
——————–
– $100