It’s a Working Man’s It’s a Working Man’s TownTown

Male Working-Class CultureMale Working-Class Culture

Thomas W. DunkThomas W. Dunk

OutlineOutline

1.1. People like us/ introductionPeople like us/ introduction2.2. Marxism 101Marxism 1013.3. Leisure as resistanceLeisure as resistance4.4. RacismRacism5.5. RegionalismRegionalism6.6. Common senseCommon sense7.7. ActivityActivity8.8. DiscussionDiscussion

People like usPeople like us

About the bookAbout the book

► ““This book describes and analyzes aspects of the This book describes and analyzes aspects of the culture of young white working-class men. Their culture of young white working-class men. Their culture is prosaic rather than poetic. It revolves culture is prosaic rather than poetic. It revolves around the local and immediate; it celebrates the around the local and immediate; it celebrates the ordinary, the profane – what is often referred to as ordinary, the profane – what is often referred to as mass culture. I show how this culture is intimately mass culture. I show how this culture is intimately related to a sense of class, and how rejection of and related to a sense of class, and how rejection of and resistance to a perceived dominant culture is resistance to a perceived dominant culture is expressed and deflected into non-class discourses. I expressed and deflected into non-class discourses. I focus specifically on leisure, gender, ethnicity, and focus specifically on leisure, gender, ethnicity, and regionalism, showing their relation to a preferred regionalism, showing their relation to a preferred form of thought which is rooted in the local form of thought which is rooted in the local working-class experience.” (Dunk, pg. 3)working-class experience.” (Dunk, pg. 3)

► Thomas W. Dunk was a professor in the Department of Thomas W. Dunk was a professor in the Department of Sociology at Lakehead University starting in 1989 as an Sociology at Lakehead University starting in 1989 as an associate professor, until 2006 as professor and chair associate professor, until 2006 as professor and chair of the department of Sociologyof the department of Sociology..

► It’s a Working Man’s TownIt’s a Working Man’s Town was first published in 1991. was first published in 1991. ► The book is an ethnography, as Dunk immersed himself The book is an ethnography, as Dunk immersed himself

in the male working class in order to conduct field in the male working class in order to conduct field research for a two-year period of time. His research is research for a two-year period of time. His research is based on an informal group of twenty-one informants. based on an informal group of twenty-one informants.

► Before attending university, Dunk was employed by the Before attending university, Dunk was employed by the paper pill and two different copper mines in the paper pill and two different copper mines in the Thunder Bay area. Thunder Bay area.

► We will be discussing themes throughout the book such We will be discussing themes throughout the book such as Leisure and Resistance, Racism, Common Sense, as Leisure and Resistance, Racism, Common Sense, and Regionalism.and Regionalism.

Marxism 101Marxism 101

Karl MarxKarl Marx Antonio Gramsci Antonio Gramsci

Leisure as resistanceLeisure as resistance

► It is important to put the story in It is important to put the story in contextcontext

►The ‘boys’ work week defines the rest of The ‘boys’ work week defines the rest of their lives their lives

►Whether they recognize it or not, Whether they recognize it or not, through their pursuits outside of work through their pursuits outside of work they are examples of resistancethey are examples of resistance

►What are the leisure pursuits of the What are the leisure pursuits of the ‘boys’ and the region in general?‘boys’ and the region in general?

► Watching televisionWatching television► ““In terms of number of hours spent on a In terms of number of hours spent on a

given activity, watching television may be given activity, watching television may be the most important.” P.67the most important.” P.67

► Television is often in the background Television is often in the background accompanying many of the activities that accompanying many of the activities that take place in the hometake place in the home

►ShoppingShopping►““Shopping purely as a leisure activity Shopping purely as a leisure activity

is more common for women than for is more common for women than for men. Women often go shopping while men. Women often go shopping while boyfriends or husbands watch sports boyfriends or husbands watch sports on television or go to a bar with their on television or go to a bar with their friends.” P.68friends.” P.68

►Hunting and FishingHunting and Fishing►““The typical pattern for the ‘boys’, The typical pattern for the ‘boys’,

however, was to make a couple of however, was to make a couple of weekend-long fishing trips during the weekend-long fishing trips during the summer. Sometimes this was a male-summer. Sometimes this was a male-only event, but wives and girlfriends only event, but wives and girlfriends often went along.” P.70often went along.” P.70

►DrinkingDrinking►““Social drinking is an important part of Social drinking is an important part of

life for the local working class, life for the local working class, especially for young workers who do especially for young workers who do not have children and therefore have not have children and therefore have more free time and money.” P.69more free time and money.” P.69

►Participatory Participatory sportssports

► ““A study of communities of A study of communities of 1000 or more people in the 1000 or more people in the region conducted in 1982 by region conducted in 1982 by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation (MTR) found that Recreation (MTR) found that forty-four percent of the forty-four percent of the sample population sample population participated in forty-five participated in forty-five different sports. This excludes different sports. This excludes sports which do not have a sports which do not have a minimal form of organization, minimal form of organization, such as road hockey or sand-such as road hockey or sand-lot baseball.” P.70lot baseball.” P.70

► ““The eight most common The eight most common organized sports in organized sports in northwestern Ontario were, in northwestern Ontario were, in order of frequency, five-pin order of frequency, five-pin bowling, ice hockey, golf, bowling, ice hockey, golf, soft-ball, curling, baseball, soft-ball, curling, baseball, soccer, and shooting.” P.70soccer, and shooting.” P.70

Sport as an analogy for Sport as an analogy for capitalist ideologycapitalist ideology

► ““Values such as discipline, respect for authority, Values such as discipline, respect for authority, and commitment are important in any form of and commitment are important in any form of state. Some aspects of the structure of competitive state. Some aspects of the structure of competitive sport, however, correspond particularly well to the sport, however, correspond particularly well to the ideology of a capitalist mode of production. Just as ideology of a capitalist mode of production. Just as one’s location in the class structure is, according to one’s location in the class structure is, according to the ideology, determined solely by competition in the ideology, determined solely by competition in the marketplace, individuals or teams begin each the marketplace, individuals or teams begin each match as equals, and winners and losers are match as equals, and winners and losers are determined by the skill displayed in competition-a determined by the skill displayed in competition-a clear representation of the principal of meritocracy clear representation of the principal of meritocracy upon which capitalist societies are supposedly upon which capitalist societies are supposedly based.” P.87-88based.” P.87-88

Mass spectator sports and local Mass spectator sports and local participatory sportsparticipatory sports

►The difference between spectator The difference between spectator sport and local participatory sport is sport and local participatory sport is that the latter is under the control of that the latter is under the control of those who participate rather than the those who participate rather than the bourgeoisie who have in modern times bourgeoisie who have in modern times control more and more of the control more and more of the professional sports realm. professional sports realm.

► Lob-BallLob-Ball► A rendition of baseball that has rules that A rendition of baseball that has rules that

make it more accessible to less skilled make it more accessible to less skilled individuals but still has a competitive edgeindividuals but still has a competitive edge

► ““The game I have described is a secular The game I have described is a secular ritual, a modern local version of carnival, ritual, a modern local version of carnival, and like carnival it is at once legitimated by and like carnival it is at once legitimated by and incorporated into the hegemonic and incorporated into the hegemonic culture, and constitutes a space where culture, and constitutes a space where themes of a culture of resistance can be themes of a culture of resistance can be played out.” P. 86played out.” P. 86

Lob-ball as resistance to the Lob-ball as resistance to the lived realities of the ‘boys’lived realities of the ‘boys’

► ““Lob-ball, at least the way it is played in the ‘boys’ Lob-ball, at least the way it is played in the ‘boys’ league, de-emphasizes the competitive nature of the league, de-emphasizes the competitive nature of the game.” P.92game.” P.92

► ““The object of the game is to have fun…” P.92The object of the game is to have fun…” P.92► ““The insistence on having fun is also an affirmation that The insistence on having fun is also an affirmation that

the point of work should be the enjoyment of life, rather the point of work should be the enjoyment of life, rather than production for its own sake. Enjoyment denied in than production for its own sake. Enjoyment denied in the labour process becomes an obsession in the realm of the labour process becomes an obsession in the realm of leisure.” P. 93leisure.” P. 93

► Being part of a team or part of a group activity counters Being part of a team or part of a group activity counters the way they are individuated in their work livesthe way they are individuated in their work lives

► ““It’s good to get out and do things with other people. It It’s good to get out and do things with other people. It makes you feel like you are part of something.” P.91makes you feel like you are part of something.” P.91

► In a recent conversation I had with a In a recent conversation I had with a friend who plays in a lob ball league friend who plays in a lob ball league during the summer explained his during the summer explained his participation as an escape; an escape participation as an escape; an escape from work and from the mundane from work and from the mundane realities of his everyday experiences. realities of his everyday experiences.

►These constructs reject the notion of These constructs reject the notion of sports reproducing the capitalist sports reproducing the capitalist ideology, thus the idea of resistance is ideology, thus the idea of resistance is played out. played out.

The resistance at play between The resistance at play between work and leisure pursuits for the work and leisure pursuits for the

‘boys’‘boys’► Dominant culture is focused on puritan morals such as Dominant culture is focused on puritan morals such as

discipline, respect for authority, and commitment : the boys discipline, respect for authority, and commitment : the boys celebrate funcelebrate fun

► In the labour market they are individuated; in their leisure In the labour market they are individuated; in their leisure time they seek group activitiestime they seek group activities

► In everyday life they are buffeted by economic forces and In everyday life they are buffeted by economic forces and authoritarian structures; through the lob ball team they authoritarian structures; through the lob ball team they emphasize human interpersonal relations based on emphasize human interpersonal relations based on friendship rather than necessity. friendship rather than necessity.

► The formal and impersonal principles of market exchange The formal and impersonal principles of market exchange rule in the larger world; the group emphasizes generalized rule in the larger world; the group emphasizes generalized reciprocity. Lob ball is a signifying practice through which reciprocity. Lob ball is a signifying practice through which the boys try to construct a different world based on cultural the boys try to construct a different world based on cultural themes denied in the dominant discourse and economic themes denied in the dominant discourse and economic structures in which they are imprisoned. P.94 structures in which they are imprisoned. P.94

The system is in no way The system is in no way undermined by the ‘boys’ undermined by the ‘boys’

activitiesactivities► All but two teams in the league have corporate All but two teams in the league have corporate

sponsorssponsors► Economic investment is necessary for participation, Economic investment is necessary for participation,

uniform costs, gloves, shoes, league fees, travel costsuniform costs, gloves, shoes, league fees, travel costs► ““Even though one can read lob-ball as a ritual Even though one can read lob-ball as a ritual

expression of resistance to the dominant economic expression of resistance to the dominant economic and ideological features of the social formation in and ideological features of the social formation in which the ‘boys’ live, it is enmeshed in a thoroughly which the ‘boys’ live, it is enmeshed in a thoroughly capitalistic set of structures.” P.95capitalistic set of structures.” P.95

► ““The basic collective idea that underlies their culture is The basic collective idea that underlies their culture is enclosed within economic and ideological structures enclosed within economic and ideological structures which render it a defensive reaction against the wider which render it a defensive reaction against the wider world rather than an opening into a possible future.” world rather than an opening into a possible future.” P.100P.100

Working Class and LeisureWorking Class and Leisure► While working class individuals appear to have While working class individuals appear to have

freedoms, they are never actually removed from freedoms, they are never actually removed from production.production.

► Their ‘free’ time is contained within a set schedule, thus Their ‘free’ time is contained within a set schedule, thus limiting scale and scope of freedomlimiting scale and scope of freedom

► The evidence suggests that as a result of their The evidence suggests that as a result of their relationship to work and production, the working class relationship to work and production, the working class utilize their freedoms to engage in ritual practices that utilize their freedoms to engage in ritual practices that (whether the individuals recognize it or not) reject the (whether the individuals recognize it or not) reject the notions of the capitalist modes of production—to an notions of the capitalist modes of production—to an extentextent

► The ‘Boys’ are seeking something they are denied in The ‘Boys’ are seeking something they are denied in their day to day realitiestheir day to day realities

► Simply by having choice in leisure pursuits resists the Simply by having choice in leisure pursuits resists the dominant narrative in that choice is not often perceived dominant narrative in that choice is not often perceived as an option in the working class’ working livesas an option in the working class’ working lives

Race, Ethnicity, and Regionalism Race, Ethnicity, and Regionalism in Working-Class Culturein Working-Class Culture

►Ethnicity among whites is important to Ethnicity among whites is important to the Boys only as a source of endless the Boys only as a source of endless joking.joking.

►-Finns revolve around the idea that they -Finns revolve around the idea that they drink a lot.drink a lot.

►-Eastern Europeans are ridiculed for -Eastern Europeans are ridiculed for their supposed lack of intelligencetheir supposed lack of intelligence

►-Italians were stereotyped as extremely -Italians were stereotyped as extremely emotional. emotional.

Historical ContextHistorical Context

►The working class was fractured The working class was fractured along ethnic lines and the division along ethnic lines and the division of labour between industries was of labour between industries was to a large extent based on to a large extent based on ethnicity. ethnicity.

English people worked for the English people worked for the railroad.railroad.

Finns and French Canadians Finns and French Canadians composed a large portion of composed a large portion of

the labour force in the forestry the labour force in the forestry industry.industry.

Construction work was an Italian Construction work was an Italian activity.activity.

Eastern Europeans worked for Eastern Europeans worked for freight sheds and performed freight sheds and performed other kinds of heavy manual other kinds of heavy manual

work.work.

Scottish people worked for the Scottish people worked for the elevators.elevators.

The Image of the Indian in The Image of the Indian in Contemporary Thunder BayContemporary Thunder Bay

► Native people are the one group for whom Native people are the one group for whom biological and cultural ancestry is a stigma with biological and cultural ancestry is a stigma with important social ramifications. important social ramifications.

► For the Boys, and for many white people in For the Boys, and for many white people in Thunder Bay and in north-western Ontario as a Thunder Bay and in north-western Ontario as a while, the most important racial and ethnic while, the most important racial and ethnic distinction today is between whites and Indians.distinction today is between whites and Indians.

► The Indian is perceived as an “inferior other” The Indian is perceived as an “inferior other” against whom whites define themselves.against whom whites define themselves.

► Indians are clearly at the bottom of the hierarchy Indians are clearly at the bottom of the hierarchy in both material and ideological terms, have in both material and ideological terms, have become symbols of the domination of local whites become symbols of the domination of local whites by external by external

►First Nation people First Nation people were often blamed for were often blamed for destruction of burning destruction of burning the bleachers in the the bleachers in the baseball diamond baseball diamond even though, even though, no oneno one saw in action wreaking saw in action wreaking the baseball diamond. the baseball diamond.

►There were places There were places that the working boys that the working boys did their best to avoid did their best to avoid places that were places that were known that a lot of known that a lot of First Nation would First Nation would frequent.frequent.

►-Native women were the -Native women were the ONLY women that the Boys ONLY women that the Boys would not mix. People would not mix. People who lived with and married who lived with and married Natives were thought to be Natives were thought to be “hard up”. “hard up”.

►-First Nation women were -First Nation women were viewed as “easy” or viewed as “easy” or “loose”. “loose”.

►-If a white man were to go -If a white man were to go on a date with a native on a date with a native woman, they (men) were woman, they (men) were known as “slumming”.known as “slumming”.

Six ways that First Nation Six ways that First Nation people are viewed in Thunder people are viewed in Thunder

Bay.Bay.► 1. The 1. The noble savagenoble savage::► -honest to a fault-honest to a fault► - hardworking- hardworking► -physically tough-physically tough► -able to complete -able to complete

successfully with successfully with nature on its own termsnature on its own terms

► -intelligent-intelligent► -skilled in practical -skilled in practical

mattersmatters

► 2. The 2. The backward backward simpletonsimpleton::

► -The poor sod who, -The poor sod who, try as he might, is try as he might, is incapable of incapable of improving improving him/herself.him/herself.

► -The simpleton is to -The simpleton is to be pitied as much be pitied as much as liked.as liked.

► -Fate has dealt him -Fate has dealt him or her a cruel blow. or her a cruel blow.

►3. The Indian 3. The Indian that is the victim that is the victim of external of external forces.forces.

►-The boys view -The boys view this person as this person as victims of forces victims of forces that they have that they have no control over. no control over.

► 4. The 4. The degenerate, degenerate, uncivilized Indianuncivilized Indian who has no morality who has no morality and is not and is not concerned to concerned to develop any develop any morality.morality.

► -The boys view this -The boys view this kind of Indian kind of Indian negatively in ethical negatively in ethical terms and views terms and views them as socially them as socially inferior.inferior.

► -The degenerate -The degenerate Indian is seen as Indian is seen as responsible for responsible for his/her own his/her own situation.situation.

►5. The 5. The welfare welfare bumbum, lazy, , lazy, shiftless, and shiftless, and living off of living off of other people’s other people’s labour.labour.

►This Indian is This Indian is seen as taking seen as taking advantage of advantage of the system.the system.

► 6. Indian women are 6. Indian women are seen as seen as victimsvictims as as opposed to the opposed to the degenerated Indian man. degenerated Indian man. They are represented as They are represented as “easy” in sexual terms. “easy” in sexual terms.

► -Native women are -Native women are viewed as social viewed as social inferiors.inferiors.

► -Very easy sexual -Very easy sexual targets.targets.

► -White men do not date -White men do not date native women when native women when looking for a long-term looking for a long-term relationship. relationship.

My own thoughts:My own thoughts:► Since Since It’s a Working Man’s TownIt’s a Working Man’s Town was written in 2003. Things have was written in 2003. Things have

not changed very much.not changed very much.► Racism against First Nation people is very much alive in Thunder Racism against First Nation people is very much alive in Thunder

Bay. Bay. ► My own experiences:My own experiences:► -During the time that this graffiti took place, I heard of a few stories -During the time that this graffiti took place, I heard of a few stories

of native women having beer bottles thrown at them while simply of native women having beer bottles thrown at them while simply walking on the street. One lady had to crawl under her car for walking on the street. One lady had to crawl under her car for protection. A student quit university course to go home because she protection. A student quit university course to go home because she did not feel safe. did not feel safe.

► -Followed around in stores to ensure I don’t steal anything.-Followed around in stores to ensure I don’t steal anything.► -Being told, “You are articulate” when I go to the doctor’s office. -Being told, “You are articulate” when I go to the doctor’s office. ► -Waiting in line while other people get served first even though I -Waiting in line while other people get served first even though I

have been waiting in line.have been waiting in line.► -“Status Card” Signs: Please show your status cards at the -“Status Card” Signs: Please show your status cards at the

BEGINNING of transaction because we are unable to accept your BEGINNING of transaction because we are unable to accept your status card at the end of the transaction.status card at the end of the transaction.

► -First Nation kids are treated different...-First Nation kids are treated different...

Social Class in First Nation Social Class in First Nation GroupsGroups

Traditional Hierarchy of First Traditional Hierarchy of First Nation People:Nation People:

►The Indian Act determines who and The Indian Act determines who and who is not a status Indian. who is not a status Indian.

The Hierarchy of Indians: Who The Hierarchy of Indians: Who is more Indian?is more Indian?

Are you Indian enough? The Hierarchy of Aboriginal people. http://rightojibwe.blogspot.com/2011/09/are-you-indian-enough-hierarchy-of.html

REGIONALISM

“What makes Thunder Bay different? How is it different from

other cities?”

“It’s a working man’s town. Everybody carries a lunch bucket

here. That’s what it’s like in northwestern Ontario” (2003:45)

STILL ???

POLITICS OF THE

HINTERLAND

Politics of Extraction

Politics of Frustration

Politics of Parochialism

“In a reactive mode, local knowledge is celebrated to the

point that critical self-reflection is ruled out” (2003:54)

The ‘Local’ Whites

“Multiculturalism does not recognize the structural basis of social inequality in class relations. The state’s focus on ethnicity means that those who are no longer ‘ethnics’ are assumed to be part of the middle class…” (2003:131)

“They celebrate their own cultural values and vigorously reject those they feel are promoted by the power bloc. But they do so by emphasizing their own difference and superiority over the most visible ethnic group in the region” (2003:131)

“The ‘Indian’ is established as a symbol through which the Boys establish their own moral worth and their difference from the perceived power bloc” (2003:102)

Where do the Boys belong?

Common senseCommon sense

What is common sense What is common sense thought?thought?

► “…“…not to be understood as an not to be understood as an underdeveloped precursor to scientific underdeveloped precursor to scientific thought but as a structured paradigm for thought but as a structured paradigm for making sense of the world.” (Dunk, pg. 133)making sense of the world.” (Dunk, pg. 133)

► Natural, practical, and obvious knowledgeNatural, practical, and obvious knowledge► Referred to as down-to-earth thinking as Referred to as down-to-earth thinking as

opposed to theory. opposed to theory. ► There is no formal method or schooling for There is no formal method or schooling for

producing common-sense knowledge, producing common-sense knowledge, implying that it is accessible to everyone.implying that it is accessible to everyone.

How do ‘the boys’ use common How do ‘the boys’ use common sense thought?sense thought?

► The boys believed the ‘obvious’ answer and The boys believed the ‘obvious’ answer and did not understand when others created did not understand when others created questions or tried to confuse the issue. questions or tried to confuse the issue.

► The ‘obvious’ answers often reflected their The ‘obvious’ answers often reflected their opinions about First Nations people, women, opinions about First Nations people, women, and southerners.and southerners.

► The boys believed the obvious to be true, The boys believed the obvious to be true, and so in their world, it was the truth. No and so in their world, it was the truth. No questions were asked, as it would suggest a questions were asked, as it would suggest a more scientific knowledge approach, and more scientific knowledge approach, and would show them as being naïve.would show them as being naïve.

What does common sense mean What does common sense mean in relation to class?in relation to class?

► Dunk suggests that the male working class culture Dunk suggests that the male working class culture is defined greatly through resisting “other” ways of is defined greatly through resisting “other” ways of living or thinking. living or thinking.

► Common sense thinking, or anti-intellectualism is Common sense thinking, or anti-intellectualism is easily relatable for most working class men, and easily relatable for most working class men, and provides the group with its own way of thinking. It provides the group with its own way of thinking. It creates a division between those whose lives are creates a division between those whose lives are controlled by mental labour and those whose lives controlled by mental labour and those whose lives are controlled by manual labour. are controlled by manual labour.

► Common sense thought provides the male working Common sense thought provides the male working class with an individual defining factor, and by class with an individual defining factor, and by doing so, provides them with some control over doing so, provides them with some control over their lives. their lives.

Free writeFree write

► Consider the following questionConsider the following question► Keep your pen on the page, writing, for 1 Keep your pen on the page, writing, for 1

entire minuteentire minute► Once complete, turn to your neighbour and Once complete, turn to your neighbour and

share your experienceshare your experience► We will then bring the discussion back to the We will then bring the discussion back to the

class as a wholeclass as a whole►How have you experienced or How have you experienced or

witnessed class play out in witnessed class play out in Thunder Bay?Thunder Bay?