In Praise of Work

Last week, a British tabloid posted a story, subsequently picked up by Fox News, “exposing” a once semi-famous actor, Geoffrey Owens, as now working bagging groceries at a Trader Joe’s.

Right away people noted the racist and classist nature of treating this as “news,” and how sneering at people doing lower wage work is despicable. 

People noted that this particular grocery chain provides very good medical benefits, and has flexible scheduling practices well-suited to the often precarious work-lives of part-time entertainers.

People also noted that Owens was very good at his job and is beloved by colleagues and customers. They noted that most jobs aren’t glamorous and have some aspects that can be routine, dull, and even tedious. But most workers put their heads down and push on through.

And people noted too that, sadly, most jobs don’t pay a lot. It too often takes two or three or more per household to keep afloat.

Two great things came from this particular misadventure in media exploitation:

1. The usually acrimonious and toxic social media worlds of the political left and right came together in agreement for likely the first time ever.

2. People were united in praising work and its dignity! Owens appeared on Good Morning America saying he hopes this attempted shaming leads to a rethink of “what it means to work, the honour of the working person, [and] the dignity of work.” Well put!

In the end, this one has more silver lining than cloud.