Blue Collar Brilliance
Mehreen 1
Mehreen Rahman
ENG 101
27 January 2014
Blue-Collar Brilliance
Blue collar workers are the backbone of America. In the article, “Blue-Collar Brilliance”, author Mike Rose emphasizes his belief that blue collar jobs should not be viewed as mindless tasks, but rather should be acknowledged for the amount of skills and intelligence these tasks truly require. What the author essentially means is that blue collar workers acquire knowledge, intuition, and skills from the social dynamics of their workplace itself. Rose argues that we often make mistakes by judging people based on their level of education and thereby not giving them the recognition they deserve. Through observation, trial and error, and often physical and verbal assistance from others, blue collar workers develop their skills. “Blue-Collar Brilliance” is an article that makes us realize that formal education does not always measure the level of intelligence of a person.
Blue Collar jobs require just as much intelligence as jobs that require formal academic credentials (e.g. a College Diploma) and hence should be recognized for their work. In the article, “Blue-Collar Brilliance”, Mike Rose disagrees with the assumption that “Intelligence is closely associated with formal education” (Mike, 247). Although the aforesaid assumption has been absorbed throughout history, Rose believes that more readings occur in the blue collar workplace than what society gives credit for. I agree with Mike Rose when he argues that although society often defines one’s IQ based on school grades, blue-collar workers develop intelligence and skills in workplace through proper planning, problem solving, and social interactions. Most blue collar
Mehreen 2 jobs are constantly faced with new problems every day, in the midst of grueling schedules, that demand instant resolution.
Blue collar workers acquire intelligence, wisdom, and skills from the technological and social dynamics of their workplace. In the
Mehreen Rahman
ENG 101
27 January 2014
Blue-Collar Brilliance
Blue collar workers are the backbone of America. In the article, “Blue-Collar Brilliance”, author Mike Rose emphasizes his belief that blue collar jobs should not be viewed as mindless tasks, but rather should be acknowledged for the amount of skills and intelligence these tasks truly require. What the author essentially means is that blue collar workers acquire knowledge, intuition, and skills from the social dynamics of their workplace itself. Rose argues that we often make mistakes by judging people based on their level of education and thereby not giving them the recognition they deserve. Through observation, trial and error, and often physical and verbal assistance from others, blue collar workers develop their skills. “Blue-Collar Brilliance” is an article that makes us realize that formal education does not always measure the level of intelligence of a person.
Blue Collar jobs require just as much intelligence as jobs that require formal academic credentials (e.g. a College Diploma) and hence should be recognized for their work. In the article, “Blue-Collar Brilliance”, Mike Rose disagrees with the assumption that “Intelligence is closely associated with formal education” (Mike, 247). Although the aforesaid assumption has been absorbed throughout history, Rose believes that more readings occur in the blue collar workplace than what society gives credit for. I agree with Mike Rose when he argues that although society often defines one’s IQ based on school grades, blue-collar workers develop intelligence and skills in workplace through proper planning, problem solving, and social interactions. Most blue collar
Mehreen 2 jobs are constantly faced with new problems every day, in the midst of grueling schedules, that demand instant resolution.
Blue collar workers acquire intelligence, wisdom, and skills from the technological and social dynamics of their workplace. In the
Cited: Graff, Gerald, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel K. Durst. "Blue Collar Brilliance." "They Say/I Say": The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing: With Readings. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2012. Print.