Sunday, November 22, 2009
Working Conditions
In the reading the Strayer book talked about the working conditions after the Europeans colonized Africa. The working conditions for these people were slave like they were paid very little and prices for housing and food were high, almost like the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. However these people differed because of their race they were thought to be inferior. With in the Industrial Revolution they were all European so that was a step up for them. But because these people are thought to be uncivilized they are lower than them and looked down upon. Because of low wages people had to crowd in to rooms just to be able to afford housing. Women were also given lower wages, meaning not only are they looked down upon and given low wages but they are also women which are more inferior. Men would have a tough time making a living but women would have it tougher and if they have a child it's even worse because they have not only one mouth to feed but 2 or 3 and so on. Also unlike the people from the Industrial Revolution they weren't able to rise in class, a worker could rise and have a decent living but a African would stay at the bottom. I think that the European Colonization is like the Industrial Revolution but worse. We still see this today in Africa and Asia they work like slaves for a small amount of money, and the jobs they work in mines are dangerous that they put their lives at risk everyday to live. Time has not changed much from the past and now, in these places they still have bad working conditions as 100s of years ago, and they haven't improved.
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Good analysis Karla! It is a great connection to the times today. It may have changed for us here but in other places slavery still remains. I think that it is important to realize that and it is interesting to think about what makes us different and how come we were able to escape slavery while other people in different places are still stuck in it? It makes me wonder why we have so many advancements in society that some places don't. What makes us so different and able to expand and grow so much? Why can we maintain a stable structure, to some extent, that other places are unable to reach? Very good point. You really got me thinking! :)
ReplyDeleteYa I agree with Megan, your connection between the beginning of the Industrial Revolution and how the workers were treated there to how the slaves work and treatment is very similar. In the Industrial Rev the people were treated like slaves but most of them were as the same race as the factory owners. So the only difference of the choice of people between factory workers and slaves is the raise and the color of their skin. I also like what you said about how the European colonization is like the Industrial Rev but worse, it gives me a better understanding of the ready thanks!!
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