tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108921128016084257.post6474855276586028500..comments2020-12-16T05:32:33.463-08:00Comments on Changing Churches: Prejudice against Business-folkMeganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13229873505463921052noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108921128016084257.post-4781725805067069752012-01-03T12:44:57.686-08:002012-01-03T12:44:57.686-08:00Oh ok, thanks for the follow up comment. From that...Oh ok, thanks for the follow up comment. From that angle, I can imagine having a strong sense of religion and then going into work at businesses that either are corrupt or everyone views as corrupt can be quite stressful. That makes sense. It then touches back on the "perceived value" thing. If people think business is valuable because of earnings but immoral because of principles (or lack of principles) then that becomes just as rigid a burden as being expected to be altruistic but can't pay rent. LOL. Makes sense. Thanks for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108921128016084257.post-85865238156483365562011-12-31T13:19:24.912-08:002011-12-31T13:19:24.912-08:00Regarding the book, the bulk is dedicated to the f...Regarding the book, the bulk is dedicated to the fact that practicing Christians who work in business have a way of rolling with the "business is business" ideal of conducting themselves, and leave their principles at the door when they enter the office...the place where they likely have the most impact in their lives. Like I said though, I haven't read the bulk of the book, but from skimming and reading the first couple of chapters, that's what it seems most concerned about...changing detrimental behavior as opposed to crying foul over existing circumstances. I'll likely be writing on the rest of it at a later date.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13229873505463921052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108921128016084257.post-71339719199057245612011-12-31T13:10:28.204-08:002011-12-31T13:10:28.204-08:00I agree with what you're saying regarding this...I agree with what you're saying regarding this being akin to "reverse racism" and initially included a section explaining that, but for the sake of length and clarity, decided to leave it out. What you're saying falls under this note <br /><br />"though oddly at the same time looked down upon, which I attribute directly to churches picking up and welcoming in broader cultural norms"<br /><br />As I said, I think this is true only in a cultural sense. When it comes to pure morality/altruism, few people see business as moral..many amoral, which is a burden to those business people who are believers trying to work out God's will in their lives. They are the minority, yes, but they do still exist. It's also an excuse for those who are in business to behave amorally and without consideration...in no way a cause, but little is expected from them when it comes to spiritual or social responsibility.<br /><br />I'll admit though, I did forget for a moment how important a job and interactions can be to White Americans contrasted with say, Black and Latino counterparts.<br /><br />To clarify, I wouldn't say the "meanness" is coming from the "teacher" side. I also don't want to group all business people into the CEO type either. I know quite a few who make less than teachers and are in less stable jobs. It's much less a war of two sides than it is a general community opinion that impacts all involved.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13229873505463921052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108921128016084257.post-18989674647245667262011-12-31T13:06:22.519-08:002011-12-31T13:06:22.519-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13229873505463921052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108921128016084257.post-24584427185067682592011-12-31T12:53:06.184-08:002011-12-31T12:53:06.184-08:00I think people want to feel that there is an altru...I think people want to feel that there is an altruistic purpose to their work (if the kind of work you described first) because whether it is due to gendered social conditioning (the jobs you first mentioned that are low-paying are disproportionately staffed with women, and that is why they are deemed of less value and pay less overall, coupled with the social notion that studying or servicing humans on an emotional/personal level < absolutely anything technical/financial) or a genuine joy for this type of work in a society that tells you salary is what makes a job valuable, people need something...anything to feel that their work is valuable as well.<br /><br />I don't think it is always the "love of money = root of all evil" concept why some people take this work or admonish (or are “prejudiced” against) business people. It is because their work is already devalued and they seek to re-add value. To me, people who work in these industries are akin to being single, or a minority or a woman. They are the little guy. So when the big guy cries prejudice despite consistently receiving praise for simply being the big guy, it comes off a bit insincere. Power obscures itself from those who possess it, and in this case, a typical business person is always seen as more valuable and important than an artist or teacher, especially when that value is based on money or traditional power.<br /><br />Now I do agree that some of these positions (non-traditional, low pay) do entail incredible power. And, as research has revealed, power without status is incredibly dangerous. <br /><br />I don't agree with "people do not open up their souls and emotions in the world of the corporate." I think that may apply to you and perhaps even us (as Black Americans) as our connection to job title and corporate workforce is not the same as say church or family, but for many White Americans, for example, there is that connection to their job and the expectation that people are there so that they can succeed and be fulfilled. I see White Americans business blog this way all of the time but culturally and personally I can never directly relate to it.<br />I don’t think this book would be something I could enjoy reading because it’s giving me the air of the “reverse racism” cry (for example) when the powerful don’t want to be critiqued. I could be wrong. It just seems that way though. Obviously I would have to read it to know for sure. <br /><br />I am glad you pointed out the flaws amidst these jobs though because no one should think that a teacher or artist etc is above critique or approach. They are just as human as those in the corporations, subject to the same failings in the fluid not fixed thing we call character. It's just that once it sounds like "teachers are being mean to CEOs," then it's harder to empathize.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com