Stanley

“Happiness comes to be understood as the by-product of individual will, rather than structural circumstances—and this rising generation of working-class youth draws swift and unforgiving boundaries against those who cannot achieve self-change and contentment through sheer emotional resolve.”
― Jennifer M. Silva, Coming Up Short: Working-Class Adulthood in an Age of Uncertainty

“Strange,” said Natalie. “What?” “Two gunshot wounds, pneumonia, a concussion, three broken ribs, and enough cuts and bruises to keep a football team happy for a full season.” “Jews are hard to kill.”
― Dan Simmons, Carrion Comfort

“Yet, Wally’s lone hope represents a tiny force of resistance against the rising tide of risk. At the heart of his vision of the future lies a firm belief in equal opportunity, social solidarity, and risk-pooling. He also offers the possibility of a concept of self-worth and personhood that is founded on collective well-being rather than individual suffering. Across the United States and around the world, glimmers of opposition to privatization and deregulation can be found in newspapers, political debates, and policy initiatives.”
― Jennifer M. Silva, Coming Up Short: Working-Class Adulthood in an Age of Uncertainty

“Men guard the few remaining public sector jobs with hyper-vigilance, using weapons of sexism and homophobia to police the boundaries of their professions. White people draw moral boundaries against blacks for laziness and moral disorder. Black informants draw even stronger boundaries against other blacks who cannot navigate the perils of a racist society on their own; echoing Simon, “If you wear baggy jeans and talk like an asshole, you are not gonna get ahead. It’s not racism, it’s you. I hate black people who say it is racism.” Ultimately, young working-class men and women believe that if they have to battle through life alone, then everyone else should, too.”
― Jennifer M. Silva, Coming Up Short: Working-Class Adulthood in an Age of Uncertainty