Rotten Little Girls

I must say I enjoyed the book, not only because I tend to agree with many of her political positions, but because her arguments are generally well-reasoned and researched. Some of my favorite pieces included “Class Struggle 101,” a chapter on disparities of income and quality of life between classes as exemplified by university staff (for example, note the “pay gradient from housekeeper (approximately $19,000/year) to president ($380,000 for Miami University’s David Hodge and about $870,000 for Yale’s Richard Levin”). Not only does Ehrenreich provide alarming statistics but she presents them in an entertaining format: this chapter is set up as college course offerings (Presidential Architecture; Topics in University Financing; Elementary Class Structure of the United States). Similarly, in “Freshpersons, Welcome To Debt!” Ehrenreich creates a tongue-in-cheek college brochure that tells students why they should accept the outrageous price of college.

Another particularly engaging chapter is entitled, “Workplace Bullies.” Ehrenreich discusses workplace hierarchies and abuses of power. She reasons that sometimes office politics and rankism gets in the way of the job – and can be harmful to those on the lower rungs of the corporate food chain. I also enjoyed her section “Bonfire of the Princesses” in which she unpacks the problems of the Disney Princess industry and the harmful ways it has been shaping the minds of young girls. In her typical ironic approach, she calls for a “mass uprising of the long-suffering serfs. Assemble your neighbors and make a holiday bonfire out of all that plastic and tulle! March on Disney World with pitchforks held high!”

Ehrenreich truly covers a wide range of topics, from feminism and racism to illegal immigrants and corporate greed. Her satirical essays address timely debates and topics that many would shy away from. While I enjoyed most of her arguments, I felt that some were both out of place and less substantial than the rest. Examples would include her chapter on gay marriage, “How Banning Gay Marriage Will Destroy the Family.” Though I agree that gay marriage should be legalized, her argument was lacking. She makes the connection that if gay couples can’t get married, the government is essentially condoning extra-marital sex. Therefore, Ehrenreich claims that soon people will prefer relationships that aren’t defined by the state in favor of partying until they’re 50 years old and never being tied down. Not only is this unrealistic, but it makes it seem that gay couples are uncommitted and casual. Her chapter supports the illogical notion that all relationships are frivolous until marriage. I doubt this was Ehrenreich’s intention, especially since her other arguments are much more coherent and thoughtful. Perhaps this chapter (and several others) should be read merely as provocative and over the top, rather than containing much substance.

Overall I would recommend this book. This Land is Their Land is a timely, interesting anthology of Ehrenreich’s satirical essays and passionate arguments. Ehrenreich is a champion of the middle and lower economic classes and she raises many great points about the corruption and greed that has taken over the United States. At the end of her book she has a chapter on fleeing America – she discusses the fact that many people are fed up with how the country is being run and seek solace in other countries. I think, however, her main point is this: America, as fucked up as it may seem, has good people and strong roots in democracy. I think Ehrenreich would like to see America improved rather than abandoned by those who are fed up with the government, healthcare, and so on. Personally, I see the seeds of positive change coming from the Obama campaign. If Obama is elected President, maybe we can, as a country, work towards the goals of improving our nation. We don’t need to be a super power, but I’d like to see the United States become a country I can be proud of.