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California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Soka University Japan - Transcend Art and Peace
Created: November 5, 2002
Latest Update: November 25, 2002
jeannecurran@habermas.org
takata@uwp.edu

Jobs Disappear - Production Changes
And Many Are Left Behind

Site Copyright: Jeanne Curran and Susan R. Takata and Individual Authors, November 2002.
"Fair use" encouraged.

Comments: when we don't need people any more

On Friday, November 8, 2002, Karina Garcia wrote?

Subject:What Elephant?

Hello Jeanne, my name is Karina Garcia and I am in your Sociology of Law course.

I just finished reading What Elephant? and as I finished, a thought came to my mind. Not only animals are exploited. People are also exploited daily, here and in many other countries. For example, many Mexican's who immigrate into the United States. They are exploited, stigmatize, and taken advantage of. Later, when they are no longer needed, in the "productive economy," or no longer useful, they simply get rid of them, and they as the victims are blamed. The harm that is caused is not recognized and simply denied.

On Friday, November 8, 2002, jeanne responded:

Hi, Karina. In several of our classes this week we talked about the poor disappearing elephant. Neat that you noticed that the workers who handled those elephants have lost their place in the construction economy right along with the elephants.

And good analogy to what happens to exploited Mexican immigrants to the US. Now Maria Pia Lara would say that painting the elephant and telling these stories is an important first step towards acknowledgment of that harm. Each time we listen in good faith, think of these elephants and workers from Thailand in good faith, we come a little closer to being able to treat each other with respect and dignity, and that brings us a step closer to the ability to engage in public sphere discourse on governance. We are building the skills to make our voices heard. So be sure to share these stories with all who will listen.