At a Slaughterhouse, Some Things Never Die Written by Charlie LeDuff Presentation by Corinne, Gideon, and Jon

Racism- A prejudice or discrimination against an individual/group based on a perceived difference Can occur on many levels: Racial stereotyping Verbal harassment Threat of physical violence

Tar Heel, North Carolina Whites, blacks, Indians, Americans and Mexicans are given separate jobs based on race Locker rooms and cafeteria are self-segregated Language is a barrier: “Different groups don’t really understand one another and tend to be suspicious of what they don’t know” (insert video)

Stereotypes Blacks work the kill floor- strong, stone-hearted men They “don’t want to work… They’re lazy.” Mexicans never push back, they never want to be singled out “They are too small; they don’t like blood; they don’t like heavy lifting…”

Discussion How can racial segregation be so prevalent in these work places? Why does the management accept and promote it? What larger social forces are at play? How does segregation spill outside of the plant?

Repetitive, brutish work Turnover in factory is 100% “They don’t kill pigs in the plant, they kill people” When workers are not at the factory, they are at home still thinking about work; dreading work. “The work burns your muscles and dulls your mind”

Research LeDuff got a job at the factory to do his research It will hire just about anyone- even criminals- with no questions asked LeDuff was automatically given a box job, but turned it down to do knife work with mostly Mexicans

Discussion What are the advantages and disadvantages of this participant observation research? How should we approach these findings? What could have influenced his observations?