Mark Larson Credit: Sarah Elizabeth Larson
Mark Larson has written another important overview on an important topic.
On April 20, Agate Printing published his latest work, 21st Century Work: An Oral History of American Labor in an Age of Social and Economic Transformation. This book follows the publication of Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater, which was also published. Written by Agate Midway.
21st Century Work arrives 50 years after the publication of Studs Terkel’s groundbreaking oral history of labor, Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do.
process
During the pandemic, Larson interviewed 102 people from across the United States. Their work and opinions are as unique as their personalities. His first subject is a doula and his last subject is a funeral home director.
The categories he uses are wide-ranging. Part 1: Basics includes subsections titled Children, Schools, Community, Health and Safety. Other sections include 2: This Brave New World, 3: The Pursuit of Happiness, 4: After Work, and Epilogue: Rest.
Evanstonians know Betty Bogg (Community, Part 1), Stephen Bishop (My Boss, Part 2), Amy Morton (Food and Service, Part 3), and Shannon Drew (Double Duty, Part 3) maybe. Political satirist Andy Borowitz (The Voice, Part 2), author Mark Harris (The Work of Art, Part 3), and former producer and writer Susan Harris (After Work, Part 4). Some are better known, such as: ).
There are stay-at-home parents, full-time volunteers at nonprofits, professionals who have been working for decades, people who have quit their jobs and started new careers, and people who are retired or about to retire. Each story is unique.
personal favorite
Some interviews will be more memorable than others for their raw poignancy. A few of my favorites:
Meghan Hilliard, a nurse and emergency services director in Connecticut. She fulfilled her wish of her mother who had just lost her baby. Amanda Lee Razochuk, Broom Squire near Kansas City; She talked about the importance of craftsmen and artisans. Dr. Lawrence Taylor, a foot and ankle surgeon in Minneapolis; He spoke of the devastating racism he experienced in Mississippi. Jack Victor, a wildland firefighter with the U.S. Forest Service. He talked about how his job is changing because of climate change. Rory Burton is a black American sign language interpreter. She spoke about the need to include more people of color in sign language interpreting and the cultural nuances they bring to their work with black clients. Mark Siwiec, a real estate entrepreneur from Rochester, New York. He inspired himself to escape his impoverished childhood, which he described in vivid detail.
What these stories have in common is how deeply their characters love their profession. In most cases, their pride, sense of accomplishment, need to make a difference, and desire to be happy outweigh the importance of being immeasurably wealthy. People who are wealthy and successful, like Świec, actively contribute to their communities through volunteer work and charity work.
Mark Larson will speak at Bookends & Beginnings, 1620 Orrington Ave., on Thursday, May 26th from 6-7:30 p.m.
