Women in the Workplace

A lot goes on under our very noses.  The media often times exaggerates situations or underestimates others.  However, what goes on in the workplace has been put on the spotlight for a while now.  In my personal experience, I've been working since I was fourteen but mostly with woman.  I rarely saw what I heard on TV which is women being mistreated under their male counterparts, or the competition that goes on when young employees take over the jobs that used to belong to older employees.

Although Barbara Herrick's experience about being a writer/producer occurred maybe around 30-40 years ago, a may not have changed.  According to Herrick, "a face-man is a person who looks good, speaks well, and presents the work," (67).  And often times, who tends to be these type of people?  Those who are young, good looking, and most often females.

Treatment of employees in the workplace can be a very taboo topic.  Of course one should stand up for the injustice, but I wonder just how much of it goes unnoticed.  However, in Herrick's case, "I made a stand..."  Working within a male dominant workplace was not easy for Herrick.  Sure her male counterparts were aware of her skill and her abilities, but did they respect her?

Herrick also mentions, "...if I would ask a direction question, they would answer and look at my boss or another man in the room" (67).  This also happened to a Canadian woman who taught English in Korea.  She and her husband were meeting an entertainment company for work reasons.  When she would ask a question, the men would answer to her husband.  Now, a cultural reason for that situation could be that because she is a married woman, the men did not want to disrespect her by holding eye contact.  If that were in America, it almost seems like he doesn't know how to have eye contact.  No.  It reveals how American culture in the workplace can often times determine how one treats their coworkers.

Terkel: "Working" Communications Section

1) Sharon Atkins (29)
Sharon Atkins is a receptionist.  I chose to read what she had to say about her job, and I'm glad I did.  I've always been curious of the people behind the phone.  Did they really enjoy their job?  Did they really enjoy answering phones all day long?  Did they have some callers that made the job hard to do?

Not many people seem to care in this kind of career.  Like Atkins mentions, "Then they asked me what I did.  When I told them, they turned around to find other people with name tags.  I wasn't worth bothering with" (29).  It makes to read that.  But interestingly enough, I wonder if it's hard just to call as it is for recpetionsists to answer those calls.

We are a people of communication.  Simply, it's crucial.  Without it, we lose relationships.  Without communicating efficiently and deeply, we lose the ability to speak with people in the first place.  Atkins' experience is a good example of how face to face communication is such a major form of communication.  then telephones came about.  And now we can communicate with people without ever really seeing their face.

2) Heather Lamb (36)
"I'm a communications person but I can't communicate" (36).  This is what Heather Lamb has to think about in her job as a telephone operator.  Also having a similar job experience as Atkins, the only difference is that Lamb doesn't seem to have negative thoughts as much as Atkins.  On the other hand, Lamb has opportunities--not always invited--to chat with her callers.

As I read these two perspectives, Lamb's quote summarized what I had been thinking, "You can't help but want to talk to them if they're in trouble or if they're just feeling bad or something" (36).  It must be hard to know one can't have a personal conversation because it's not part of their job.  Especially, since Lamb is only eighteen, she may have a higher sensitivity to people than Atkins who may just have hated talking to people in general.

Lastly, Both Atkins and Lamb mention that they feel like an instrument.  Unlike Atkins, Lamb doesn't seem to dwell on that as much.  How?  Lamb is willing to make "jokes" during her conversations.  I noticed that the younger one with a job is, the less agitated and temperamental they are.  Atkins is also young, but she's already completed her education and is also married.  For Lamb, I'm sure she know that she doesn't have to do this job for the rest of her life, therefore, she makes the most of what she can.

Unsatisfied Americans

I like the diversity in work this country offers.  We have businessmen, we have government officials, and we farmers.  From my time, I've seen the growth of cities and the decrease of population in small towns.  I've lived in one of the top ten biggest cities in the US, and I've lived in a small town.  I've seen the "exploiters" and the "nurturers."  And so have most of us who've had our share of city life and town life.

Berry mentions, "The only escape from this destiny of victimization has been to 'succeed'--that is, to 'make it' into the class of exploiters, and then to remain so specialized and so 'mobile' as to be unconscious of the effects of one's life or livelihood" (5).  Sometimes I wonder how satisfied we can remain before we get antsy or bored with our current life.  The first example I could think of are the students from my high school.  Although small, several of them graduated and moved to big cities.  Within a few years, they came back.  Others never dared to venture outside of their state and are perfectly content at where they are now.

There is nothing wrong with moving to another location or changing careers.  I mean, look at Leeland Lee from "Job History."  For the most part, he had to change jobs just so that he and his family could survive.  On the other hand, what are one's intentions?  Their attitude?  Is it because they feel like they can't succeed in the current location they are living in? Is it because of pride?  Is it because of money?  Or is because they just want to be far from family as much as possible?

When I began thinking of that, it makes sense.  In America, our strive for success is great, and it's also blinding.  How?  If we are never satisfied with anything, we will never be satisfied with everything.  Here are two attitudes that Berry talks about, "The exploiter wishes to earn as much as possible by as little work as possible; the nurturer expects, certainly, to have a decent living from his work, but his characteristic wish is to work as well as possible" (8).  There is a main difference I've noticed among those who live in the city and those who farm in a small town.  City people complain about money often; farmers complain about weather.  According to Pierce Walker, "Weather will make ya or break ya" (4).

Because our attitude often determines our way of living, on the outside, people can tell.  For example, I have a coworker who is a farmer's wife.  She dresses very simple, wears no makeup, and has no extravagant electronic or car.  I have another friend, who is from the city.  She always has to have the best technology and appearance for her job.  While she continues to buy more and more and think of better and brighter ideas, my coworker is more concerned about complaints from her customers who did not enjoy her food.

Witherington: "Work" Part 4

1) “We are not who we are because of what we do, but because of whose we are” (133).

“…then it is clear that what we need in our lives is not merely a more biblical sense and understanding of work, but a biblical understanding of self as well” (156).

Although Worthington highly emphasized our purpose on earth and the work we must do, how to do the work and how we accomplish the work highly depends on us…who we are.  I am often reminded of the questions who am I? and what am I doing here?  These often times come from adolescents who, during their age, are discovering who they are, what they are good, what they don’t like, etc.  On the other hand, may put too much stress on an individual in becoming successful and well-off.  In addition, society has a pattern for an individual—like all cultures do—graduate high school, go to college, obtain some experience somehow, go to grad school, etc.  During this process, an individual learns about themselves.  But…I can’t help but wonder, for a Christian individual, what determined who they are?  Their work?  Or scripture?  A personal experience: the more I read Scripture, not only do I learn about what I must do, but also who I am.

2) “God could provide us with manna from heaven directly in response to the prayer for daily bread, but instead most of the time he chooses to use his human servants” (139).

And that is why every single person on earth has a reason why they are here.  We all are called to do the work of God but in different ways.  Although we cannot see it at times, a person speaks to us not in place of God, but for God.  Sure we ask God for help, to give us a sign or for something.  But maybe God does answer our prayers in form of a person.  What is so amazing about God is that He sometimes sends a child to speak to us.  In other words, sure God can come and send us exactly what we want, but then what’s the use of everyone around us.  God does not put aside a single individual even though the individual may reject God.

3) “Futhermore, we must remember that we leave a footprint, a legacy, for our children to follow” (162).

People are influenced easily, most often times by other people.  With this in mind, why does one think the world is going corrupt?  That our generation and below are involved in acts our parents or grandparents never committed?  As time goes on, if young people are not rightfully influenced, it sparks a fire that cannot be stopped.  For example, my two younger brothers are attending a high school where the pregnancy rate just goes higher and higher.  I’m aware that teenage girls are getting pregnant all over the country, however, how did it get to that point?  Were their parents the right influences on them?  My point is that people notice other people.  People learn from other people.  If being sexually driven in high school is seen as “okay”, then others will join.  Therefore, I hypothesize that the more people represent Christ and act like Him—not be Him—the more people will be influenced.  Why did so many people follow Jesus?  He’s so cool!  The way He walked among the unaccepted making everyone feel accepted.  The way He responded back to the Pharisees.  Why do so many people like Michael Jackson?  According to his fans, he was a great singer, entertainer, and dancer and a lot of people followed his singing style and dancing style and style in general.  However, we cannot forget how his past also influenced us negatively.

Witherington: "Work" Part 3

Chapters 5 and 6, specifically 6, really dove into the context of culture and work...something I've been waiting to read.  However, within the culture everyone is called to do ministry in different ways.  With that in mind, here's three topics I chose discuss...

1) "What is interesting is that if we focus on the doing of the ministry, sanctification happens as a byproduct of that focus, but if we focus on ourselves and our sanctification, ministry may never happen" (82).

This quote struck me in that I felt shameful of our human nature.  We are...selfish.  Plain and simple.  No wonder a lot is not done.  We are too focused on ourselves to care about others.  We are too focused on things don't go our way, or on things that put us in a bad mood.  Just recently, I was in a class with a friend.  As soon as that friend came to class, I knew they were in a bad mood.  What was their reason: they just didn't want to get up to go to class.  At first, I thought nothing of it.  I mean, haven't most college students, if not all, have felt that sometime in their college career?  I know I have.  But dwelling more on it, it really made me think how my friend was focusing on their needs and maybe never thought the mood they brought in to the whole classroom.  Maybe my friend never considered how their attitude might put me in a bad attitude and then create a domino effect.  We are influenced by each other.

Likewise, being selfish human beings, wouldn't we all want to be saved?  Let me put it in other words: I don't know about my neighbor over there who does drugs but I know I'll be saved for sure.  No wonder ministry dwindles when we have that selfish attitude!  God called us to save others; He never told us to ignore our neighbor but rather love our neighbor.

2) "One of the real problems with Christians is that we can be too insular, living in our own little bubble... (105)."

Wow.  This sure was a slap in the face, and yet, so true.  How often are we--not everyone is like this--found not praying in public because we don't feel comfortable, or going to a Bible study because we are not comfortable, or avoiding any relations with alcoholics and drug addicts because we are not comfortable around them.  Many of us, not all, avoid any of these actions that make us uncomfortable, but we were not put on this earth to be comfortable.  There will be occasions and even long periods of time where we will never be comfortable.  Being in a bubble does not allow us to see the beauty of God or the beauty of people.  And if we are afraid to fall into sin, well, God provided us with weapons.  Therefore, we need to use them.  We can't avoid the world; we might as well live in a rock.  But as Christians we know that although we cannot become like the world, we are still in the world and must know how to live in it as children of God.

3) "Jesus was the most capable of shaping culture through his own talents and power--and yet the most culture-shaping event of his life is the result of his choice to abandon his talents and power" (117).

It's interesting to think that Jesus was willing to leave what he learned a child in order to follow His true purpose on earth.  I cannot think of a better example than Jesus Christ.  I smiled as I read this quote because all though we strive to make ourselves known through our talents and skills, Jesus made Himself known to the whole world through His death.  In addition to His divine talents such as healing the sick and bringing people back from the dead--nothing major--He was an incredibly talented and respectful human.  Jesus learned from His earthly father, Joseph, the art of carpentry.  I think that's incredibly cool!  Jesus was a great speaker and had such a way with words.  Jesus was an encourager and accepted the unaccepted.  This man was loaded with gifts, and yet, He threw that all way just to save us.  Sure, Jesus could have used His divine power to save Himself from the cross--what a sight to see.  But that would have defeated His purpose of being on earth in first place.  God knew what He was doing, and so did Jesus.  Sometimes, when we think we know where God is leading us, He can turn it upside down, but still reveals Himself in bigger ways.

Witherington: "Work" Part 2

"Work" just keeps getting better and better and not that it has everything I want to hear, but the way he says it makes all the difference.  So with that in mind, in order to not write a whole book, here is a list of the three topics I wanted to highlight...

1) Chapter three as a whole was a challenging read.  Not that is was hard to understand because Witherington clearly expressed and wrote what he wanted to say.  Instead, it was the topic.  We all can relate to either being a "sloth" or being a workaholic.  These are two extremes that are hard to avoid.  One can either not do anything or does too much.  It's extremely difficult to find a balance.

In my own experience, I am no doubt a workaholic.  I shamefully admit this.  Keeping busy prevents me from doing common mistakes that kids my age typically do.  Being busy, although often times extremely overwhelming and stressful, keeps me focused and in control.  On the other hand, as Christians we are not meant to have control over every single things on this earth.  Part of it is God's job and the other is ours.  In addition, being too busy is a common mistake in our society.  Without thinking, it's so easy to fall into working too much.  Maybe that's why God gives workaholics a time of rest and yet we workaholics have no idea what to do on rest days but work.  Even for the sloths and slackers there is a difference between rest and being lazy.  Witherington says on page 62, "Even if we view rest as nothing more than an opportunity to recharge and revitalize ourselves so we can go back to working more efficiently and with more excellence, the fact is we need rest each and every day."

2) "We do not need to feel the weight of the world on our own shoulders when Jesus, the ultimate Atlas, has already borne that burden and overcome it on the cross and through the resurrection" (64).

When I read this sentence, I almost filled with tears; I so much needed to hear that at that very moment.  I mentioned above I'm a workaholic and part of that is because when I am not busy, I feel like I have no control over my life.  And that is when working becomes a sin.  I am needing work to fulfill my time, when all I need is God to be in my life.  So many times I've watched people become suddenly burdened and overwhelmed with their lives (this includes me).  Maybe it's because we are carrying our problems and the world's problems on our shoulders and we are not meant to do that.  We forget that that is already taken care of.

3) I am currently reading Exodus so when Witherington mentioned Moses, I was glad.  Moses is a great example of someone who, because of his fear of public speaking, could not follow through with what God wanted him to do.  As Witherington mentions, "Moses says to God, in effect, 'Here I am, Lord--take somebody else, please!'" (68).  But the great thing is, God has no Plan B.  He had to free the Israelites somehow, and Aaron was gifted with the ability to "speak well" so says in Exodus 4:14 (NIV).  Now what Moses did was not trust God in that He would help Moses speak.  And yet, the plan continued.  Eventually Moses became the leader and the messenger between God and the Israelites.  What an honor!  God knows our abilities and He knows what we can do even if we can't see it.  But in time, or right away, God will reveal to us what our work is here on earth when we cannot see.

Witherington: "Work" Part 1

If I could write about all the quotes I highlighted in this book, I'd basically be writing the whole book.  There is so much information that, to me, is not necessarily new but has opened my eyes to Biblical perspective on "work."  So, to simplify the first two chapters, here is a list of the top three quotes, which was incredibly hard to choose:

1) "As it turns out, our American theology of retirement has no real biblical basis, and it leads to despair and longing and a sense of abandonment on the part of those who have been set off in a corner of society and told to hush and just 'retire'" (11).
I've imagined myself getting older like all those whose minds tend to wander off, and honestly, I wasn't happy with what I pictured.  I dread thinking of myself going into a nursing home and looking forward to bingo every Wednesday.  I know what happens in a nursing home--my father was a maintenance worker and my mother was a nurse in an independent living facility--so I know what kind of life they can live.  Although it may not look as bad, I hate the fact that they accept being put aside like that.  Don't get me wrong, some nursing homes are nice but they are also expensive.  Many enjoy retirement, but the majority struggle.  Here is my point...
In Mexican culture, the grandparents tend to live with their families.  Mexicans highly value family so their is no reason to send one's grandparents to a nursing home.  It's a joy for the retired to watch their families grow and be among them often to see it.  For Koreans, it's similar, but because the lack of room in apartment style houses, the grandparents tend to live alone.  But as for American culture, I find it sad when I see the elderly speak of their children and yet their children don't bother to visit them.  And surprisingly, aging as a Native American is an honor because for them, with age comes wisdom and they are respected in their tribes.  Again, not everyone's retirement is like this, but Witherington makes a point.

2) "Western culture since the Reformation has put an ever-increasing emphasis on the individual..." (23).
Ah this is quite interesting.  Could this type of culture hinder us from growing in a community?  Well, Witherington continues to state, "Furthermore, in the process of individualization we lost contact with the biblical notion of collective personality--that is, how we get our true identity through the group we belong to, in this case, the body of Christ" (24).  When we focus too much on ourselves, we forget the people around us.  We forget why we were placed on this earth to begin with and it's not for comparing to see how many people we bring to Christ.  Maybe this is why we are often caught being selfish.

3) "But whatever we do, we are to strive for excellence" (15).
I know as humans we are not perfect and will never be perfect as long as we are on this earth.  However, as Christians, God did not put us on the earth to drink our lives away or work for hours on end.  In addition, God gave us gifts, spiritual and earthly and it is our choice whether we want to strengthen them or not.  Therefore, when God gave each and every one of us skills and talents, He didn't just throw a musical gift to some random person.  No, God specifically gave Bach the gift to compose and Solomon the spiritual gift of wisdom.  So then what are we doing?  Although we may not be good at everything, in everything we must try our best.  Whether I am horrible at science, I have to do my best.  Why?  Because life is short.  That whole YOLO thing in some ways has potential but only in the meaningful things in life, not purposely driving a car into a pool of water. 

Calvinism

I took a church history class in high school.  Although this was only a few years ago, my memory of what I learned was blank.  However, I do remember going over Calvinism and it was because of the idea of predestination.

Basically, predestination is the idea of God setting aside a select few of people who would be saved and the others would not.  Obviously, there is a major error in this belief.  Out of how many number of people are here on earth, only some would be saved.  I can't imagine living and having that in my mind constantly.  Am I chosen to be saved?  If this is true, then it's a waste to have the other people if they are not meant to be saved.  In addition, Jesus' death would be meaningless because He died for everyone.

Weber's response to this should definitely be taken into account.  I absolutely agree that Christian would live an isolated life.  And that is, by no means, the life that God wants us to live.  He put us here to be in a community.  There may be only a few who can function decently by being alone.  But the majority of us need people around us.  We were not meant to face the world alone.

Striving to do good is meaningless because not one human except Jesus is good.  We all are capable of doing evil.  But that is why we have Jesus.  He saved us and although we are not perfect, when we sin, we have the opportunity to experience mercy and forgiveness.

I find this to be a possible reason as to why people who are not Christian are "turned off" by Christians.  If nonbelievers discovered that only certain people would be saved, what's the point of them becoming believers?  And if a believer strives for a life of perfection, they will be rejected in the real world.  A human is not perfect and if they appear so, they are despised.  What a nonbeliever needs to see is a human who strives to do good in the eyes of God but is aware that they are not perfect.  And although they make mistakes, they come to God first and only.