#care-work

#care-work

Emotional labor is the work that underpins our lives. It's the thought and care that goes into everything, from what meals to make to what discipline style to use to deciding the best time to have a hard conversation. Emotional labor is what creates and nurtures communities and connections, and it's present in every interaction we have. What is emotional labor? In 1983, Arlie Russell Hochschild, the same sociologist who defined "the second shift," also coined the term "emotional labor."

The experiences of Black women and gender-expansive leaders in the sector have rightfully been a focus of research and commentary on systemic racism, unfair expectations, and funding gaps that Black women face when pursuing transformation. Leaders and funders must continue to uplift stories and data about Black women's leadership and invest in Black women change agents. However, in my estimation, the experiences, challenges, and visions of Black male leaders have been underexamined. Doing this work requires examining how Black men can dismantle internalized patriarchy.

At the top of her list are tradespeople, including electricians, plumbers, and repair workers, who perform hands-on tasks in messy, real-world environments that machines still struggle to navigate. She also pointed to care jobs like nursing, primary school teaching, and nursery teaching as roles that heavily rely on empathy, judgment, and social connection - qualities that algorithms can't yet mimic.

A friend sent me an essay excerpted from this book, and I immediately went and bought the whole collection. Reading Klein's writing felt like I was two glasses of wine deep with a friend, sitting on her couch, just deep in conversation about our kids and what mothering is really like. It's a read you won't regret, and you'll be forcing it on all your friends.