Alienation and Made in the USA

This week for my English 150 class, I read two incerps from The Changing World of Work, The Obliteration of Alienation by Elliott Layton and Made in the USA by Jenny Strasburg. These two stories deal with the work problems here in America and possible solutions to fix them. The Obliteration of Alienation deals with separation of workers from themselves, the product they make, and other workers. Made in the USA deals with outsourceing and sweatshop soultions.

In The Obliteration of Alienation, Leyton discusses the issues with workers, specifically alienation. He mentions how workers are detached from the product they make. Instead of one person specially crafting a product such as a blacksmith, several workers attach pieces of the product instead of the whole. This procedure alienates workers from the product. Also workers are alienated from themselves. With doing monotonus work that they themselves may not enjoy, they are not fullfilling themselves.

Leyton suggests a solution to these issues of alienation. He suggests MSF or doctors without borders. This solves the alienation from their product because they can see first hand their results and the clients (patients). This also fulfills the need for self achievement and self fulfillment. The only problem with this solution is not everyone is/can be a doctor.

In Made in the USA, Strasburg talks about problems such as outsourcing, sweatshops, and factory work. Strasburg's suggested solution to these problems is American Apparel. American Apparel makes every bit of their product in the United States which is a solution to the outsourcing and sweatshops. It also eliminates stress of the payment in factories. Every employee is payed a decent salary above minimun wage. Not to mention the products are made out heavy duty, long-lasting material which makes the product a desire. The only dowset to the solution of American Apparel is that its only one store and can't higher every American or completely solve the problems of America, but it is the right step forward.