EDITORIAL COLUMNS
Thoughts and opinions of the USF Encounter staff is not reflective of those of the University of St. Francis.
I’m Going to Upset Some People
Blue Collar Gratitude
By: Lauren Wozniak Layout Designer
By: Richie Mroz Layout Designer
I’m going to say it. I will upset some people but I’m not afraid to be controversial. There’s a line that has been drawn in the sand for years and I am ready to show what side I am on. We are divided now more than ever but I believe it is important to speak our minds. I stand firm in my beliefs and it is time that you all know:
Every weekday of my life, I always know one thing. My dad will be up at 4:00 AM eating breakfast and will be out the door by 6:00 AM carrying his lunch pail with his bandana tied and his work boots on. I don’t see him again after he leaves until 4:00 PM when his truck pulls into the driveway.
I like pineapple on pizza.
My dad is a Union Millwright. According to Wikipedia, a millwright is “a high-precision craftsman or skilled tradesman who installs, dismantles, maintains, repairs, reassembles, and moves machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites.” For nearly 20 years, my dad has busted his hump every day to support my family. In the summer, he works in facilities with temperatures above 100 degrees and in the winter he works outside in below zero temps. He has traveled to different states, worked in dangerous situations, and also worked extremely long hours in order to complete a job. I really don’t know how he does it. I would be nowhere without both my dad and my mom.
Some of you may be asking yourself why I would say something so horrendous but here me out. It really isn’t bad. It is definitely worth a try. I will admit, I was apprehensive at first. I love pineapple. I also love pizza but could I possibly like both at once? The answer is yes! The sweet and savory balance each other well, especially with the salty ham on Hawaiian pizza. There are more vile and weird things that people put on pizza other than the innocent pineapple. Anchovies and olives are just two examples among the millions! Also, it isn’t like we don’t already make sweet pizzas. There is barbeque chicken pizza and you don’t get berated every time you say you like it! Come on people! It’s 2020 and it’s about time we accept pineapple on pizza as a normal meal option.
My dad is not the only one either. Millions of blue-collar workers such as electricians, carpenters, pipefitters, lineman and operators bust their hump every day. They are the backbone of this country and that is why I am writing this appreciation for the blue-collar worker, because they deserve it.
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