The Work You Do, the Person You Are (2017)
Toni Morrison reflects on her childhood job cleaning a wealthy woman's house, emphasizing pride in contributing to her family, and highlights lessons on identity and the evolving role of work in childhood.
Read original article
In her reflective piece, Toni Morrison recounts her childhood experiences of working for a woman she refers to as "Her," where she earned money by cleaning a well-kept house. This job provided her with a sense of pride and responsibility, as she contributed financially to her family, contrasting with the notion of children as mere burdens. Morrison highlights the importance of work in her upbringing, noting that children in her era were not only loved but also needed for their contributions. She describes the physical demands of her job and the emotional struggle of balancing her responsibilities with her desire for freedom. A pivotal moment occurs when her father advises her to focus on doing her job well for her own sake, emphasizing that one's identity is not defined by their work but by their character and family ties. This lesson shaped her perspective on work throughout her life, allowing her to value personal integrity over job security. Morrison's narrative reflects on the evolving role of children in society and the intrinsic value of work in shaping identity.
- Toni Morrison reflects on her childhood job cleaning a wealthy woman's house.
- She emphasizes the pride and responsibility she felt in contributing to her family's finances.
- Morrison contrasts the past necessity of children's work with contemporary parenting styles.
- A key lesson from her father was that one's identity is defined by character, not job status.
- The piece explores the evolving perceptions of work and childhood in society.
Related
If you care about someone, show them – and put away your phone
The article emphasizes giving time and attention to loved ones and oneself. It discusses the challenges of balancing distractions with meaningful connections, highlighting the importance of genuine relationships for mental well-being.
Why parenting makes you human
Parenting is depicted as a transformative journey shaping individuals into more compassionate beings. The shift from selfish desires to selfless care, overwhelming responsibility, and emotional depth lead to personal growth and empathy.
No One Expects Young Men to Do Anything and They Respond by Doing Nothing (2022)
Young American men increasingly opt out of work and family duties, leading to more fatherless homes. Factors like unemployment and incarceration contribute. Edin and Kefalas' book explores low-income women's choices. Socioeconomic, genetic, and cultural aspects shape family dynamics.
Hilary Mantel Reviews “A Life of One's Own/An Experiment in Leisure” (1986)
Hilary Mantel reviews Joanna Field's works, emphasizing her introspective journey on identity and happiness, critiquing success definitions, and exploring femininity, personal mythology, and the complexities of early 20th-century thought.
Everyone's Life Is Weird
Ava encourages young technologists to apply for the Interact fellowship, sharing her unconventional journey from college dropout to writer, emphasizing personal fulfillment and the unpredictability of success outside societal norms.
6 commentsKey advice;
Perhaps he understood that what I wanted was a solution to the job, not an escape from it. In any case, he put down his cup of coffee and said, “Listen. You don’t live there. You live here. With your people. Go to work. Get your money. And come on home.”
That was what he said. This was what I heard:
1. Whatever the work is, do it well—not for the boss but for yourself.
2. You make the job; it doesn’t make you.
3. Your real life is with us, your family.
4. You are not the work you do; you are the person you are.
Yeah I mean this tracks because we can look at data to prove that it’s true. The value of a single family home in California has increased 10%-11% year over year. Is your salary increasing 10-11% year over year? What’s the point of chasing income at your job once you own a single family home here? Lol. I had to explain to my wife today that it’s ok that she hasn’t replaced her 70k a year salary and that it’s ok for her to be in school right now. We could sell our house and pocket the difference and nothing was lost financially.
Hopefully the companies doing business here catch up, I know it’s going to take a lot of difficult conversations and hand wringing, I’m really rooting for them. I can’t imagine the struggle of figuring out how to pay employees a living wage. Really can’t imagine what they must be going through right now as they execute mass lay offs in tech. My heart goes out to all of the execs. Truly. lol.
Related
If you care about someone, show them – and put away your phone
The article emphasizes giving time and attention to loved ones and oneself. It discusses the challenges of balancing distractions with meaningful connections, highlighting the importance of genuine relationships for mental well-being.
Why parenting makes you human
Parenting is depicted as a transformative journey shaping individuals into more compassionate beings. The shift from selfish desires to selfless care, overwhelming responsibility, and emotional depth lead to personal growth and empathy.
No One Expects Young Men to Do Anything and They Respond by Doing Nothing (2022)
Young American men increasingly opt out of work and family duties, leading to more fatherless homes. Factors like unemployment and incarceration contribute. Edin and Kefalas' book explores low-income women's choices. Socioeconomic, genetic, and cultural aspects shape family dynamics.
Hilary Mantel Reviews “A Life of One's Own/An Experiment in Leisure” (1986)
Hilary Mantel reviews Joanna Field's works, emphasizing her introspective journey on identity and happiness, critiquing success definitions, and exploring femininity, personal mythology, and the complexities of early 20th-century thought.
Everyone's Life Is Weird
Ava encourages young technologists to apply for the Interact fellowship, sharing her unconventional journey from college dropout to writer, emphasizing personal fulfillment and the unpredictability of success outside societal norms.