as an immigrant daughter who has watched her parents work physically grueling jobs for over 30 years, i’m confident there is no higher dignity or respect to be found than in the life of a day laborer. you would also be hard pressed to find anyone more stubborn.
‘shame and money’ shows us this very truth in shaban, a proud family man who faces the mounting pressure to provide for his family in the face of humiliating forces. as he begins to dip his toes into “dirty work” (as defined by those with the luxury of feeling shame), we see shaban’s pride dig its claws further into his ethos, creating deep gashes that become a festering wound.
the unfortunate truth is that pride and shame share a parisitic relationship. as the world comes barreling down and shakes the foundation of our stability, which will we reach for?
as an immigrant daughter who has watched her parents work physically grueling jobs for over 30 years, i’m confident there is no higher dignity or respect to be found than in the life of a day laborer. you would also be hard pressed to find anyone more stubborn.
‘shame and money’ shows us this very truth in shaban, a proud family man who faces the mounting pressure to provide for his family in the face of humiliating forces. as he begins to dip his toes into “dirty work” (as defined by those with the luxury of feeling shame), we see shaban’s pride dig its claws further into his ethos, creating deep gashes that become a festering wound.
the unfortunate truth is that pride and shame share a parisitic relationship. as the world comes barreling down and shakes the foundation of our stability, which will we reach for?
