Imagery of Work

The kids and I sit on the living room floor searching old print magazines for their individual classroom assignments when Magda asks, “What do humans need to survive Momma?”

“Ah, water. Food. Hmm, why are you asking?” I mutter while flipping the pages of Mary Jane Farm scouring images for pigs, pies, or anything that begins with the letter, P –TT’s kindergarten class’s letter of the week.

Magda elaborates, “Miss Debra says we should bring in pictures of things humans need every day. I know we need water already Momma. But...here! Do we need cell phones?” she asks excitedly.

“Ah, no dear, we do not need cell phones to exist.” Surprised that she suggested a mobile is requisite for life on Earth, I add, “Grandpa Chuck doesn’t have a cell phone and he’s very much alive.” 'Though he might be the only person I know without one.' I think to myself.

“What about vegetables or fruit?” I suggest.

“Those are too easy Momma. Ah, TT! Here! I found a picture for you—a man in a suit—it’s a “Person”!” she announces enthusiastically while ripping the page from its glue.

He smiles and proceeds to cut the man, ah person, out with scissors.

“I got it! We need WORK! Here are TWO pictures of work Momma!”

Office Work
Image from healthylifecarenews.com

While I contemplate whether or not we NEED work and consider how I can make this a learning opportunity, I’m quickly distracted by the images. One is of a white man in a classic navy blue suit sitting at an executive style desk with a smartphone in hand. The other shows a similarly dressed male body walking into a sleek urban high-rise office building.

Farm Work
Image from listserve.com

“Ah, yes, these are pictures of SOME types of work,” I offer, not wanting to damper her spirit. At the same time, adding, “but not everyone works in an office or is a man. What about this picture Magda?” 

I hand her a shot of a middle-aged white woman tending the cotton on, likely, her home farm. Magda looks at me with the blankest of faces. I could’ve sworn I heard her mind say, 'Are you kidding?'

“Remember, there are all types of work," I begin. "Men AND women can work on farms or offices. They can also work in the home or even on the moon!”

“On the moon?” the kids shout and start to giggle and I realize the learning moment is over, for now. But I'm left with many resultant questions. 

Do we need work to live? Not just to bring in money to pay for food and shelter, because, after all, some people have enough money to exist. But do they need some work-activity to truly live life to their fullest? And why are most mediated images of work so very pronounced as to be discriminatory? How does a 7-year old learn so quickly what traditional forms of work entail and look like at the exclusion of non-traditional but likely more rampant forms of work? 

Stay tuned for answers. I'm thinking of an example from the B-rate movie, Opposite Day, we watched this past weekend while snowed in from the big storm...