Entry #8

Mike Lefevre, a steelworker, said about his work that, “You’re mass producing things and you never see the end result of it. I worked for a trucker one time. And I got this tiny satisfaction when I loaded a truck. At least I could see the truck depart loaded. In a steel mill, forget it. You don’t see where nothing goes” (319). I understand Mike’s attitude because students often feel that way. They don’t see the point to what they’re doing so they don’t take pride in their schoolwork. When people don’t see their hard work paying off they don’t become motivated. Mike also said, “If you can’t improve yourself, you improve your posterity” (321). Americans have always tried to make life for the next generation better; they want to make a lasting impact for the future. Mike knew that his life would stay difficult, but he could work to improve his children’s lives by sending them to college and building a better future for them. I admired Mike’s honesty when he said, “Hell yes, I want my kid to tell me that he’s not gonna be like me” (327). It’s good that Mike wants his kids to learn from his mistakes and take advantage of their unique opportunities. He truly wants the best for his kids and their futures.
Dolores Dante, a waitress, explained how she started being a waitress to quickly earn money but later she realized that working wasn’t about income; it was about challenging herself. She said, “It would be very dull for me to know I was making so much and no more. I do like challenge. And it isn’t demeaning, not for me” (331). I think most Americans today focus on making money and how big their income is, and they don’t think about enjoying their work. A lot of people have money problems, but I think it would still make people’s lives better if they could enjoy being challenged. Dolores was successful at her job and she was too busy thinking about other people to enjoy it sometimes. She explained, “People would ask for me and I didn’t have enough tables. Some of the girls are standing and don’t have customers. There is resentment. I feel self-conscious. I feel a sense of guilt. It cramps my style” (333). While in the US people feel like they need to be the best and accomplish things, Americans feel bad if they attain this. While their guilt is unfortunate, it shows that Americans are considerate of others and think about others’ feelings. It’s great that in a country teeming with competition people still are compassionate.