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| Orange County Book cover Housecleaners |
One of the books I liked most of which I read in the last few weeks has been
Housecleaners Orange County, Frank Cancian. Professor Cancian, who is one of the most eminent figures of economic anthropology, has begun work on projects that combine visual anthropology depth interviews with stills. The book is the result Housecleaners Orange County of this new direction of research and publication and, although it focuses on seven women and their stories is a real tribute to the women who clean houses in the state of California. Professor Cancian explains that the project took place between 2001 and 2002, and his selection of women interviewed roughly illustrates the general demographic profile of women working at home cleaning houses in Orange County: Five of them are ' Latina ', ie women Latin American cultural heritage, and two originated in the state of California in the United States.
To locate the women who worked, Cancian began discussing the project with Esperanza Mejia, the woman who cleans his own house. She contacted her sister and her sister (wife of his brother.) Then, he spoke with his friends to locate the other four. Each interview was conducted in the original language of each lady, and then all the transcripts were translated into English. English, a translator again translated into English that had been made in this language, so that the interviewees do translations and commentaries, and edited the material. The interviews lasted about an hour each, although some respondents requested to add material either through other interviews, or recording directly themselves a voice recorder, alone. Frank Cancian asked them to tell their life, will talk about what they wanted and most important to them, and in particular relate to their work by cleaning houses.
The book consists of seven sections based on interviews with women, and photographs of themselves and their families. We showed the excellent relationship and trust Frank Cancian developed with these ladies, and the many hours spent (and, as I said, still going) with them, first as a researcher and then as a close friend. The researcher's warmth gives coherence and strength to the entire project. In the book, they will have very personal things and tell what they have suffered and what they have enjoyed in their work. Several were first living at home with nannies and their employers full time, but then decided to clean houses. In the photos displayed clearing houses, in their houses of worship and their families, or at public events related to them or their families.
Three of them were born in Guatemala, two in Mexico and two in the state of California. With the exception of one Guatemalan, both from Mexico and Guatemala came to the United States and illegal, crossing the river and the desert subject to the risks that await the undocumented workers in the United States. Each chapter of the book shows the great strength these women have had to face adversity. Usually their husbands have been treated badly, or because of them suspect without cause, or because they have been left to go with other women. Several of them are divorced and are in second or third marriage. Unfortunately, with few exceptions, men who are mentioned as partners of these women are villains in their stories, because they have suffered and sometimes abandoned altogether.
The women talk about their relationship with the school. One that came from Mexico complains of not having school. Two of those coming from Guatemala have been studied, and is now a hairdresser and beautician. The other chose not to work as a medical assistant, but was certified to do so, because the doctors who had treated her mother when she became ill in the United States were despotic and did for her all that should have been. One of the California native has a degree in Fine Arts, has worked with jewelers and artists as an assistant, and has its own graphics and artifacts she has designed and made. Another Californian explains that at the end of day is very tired, and though I like to study, thinks he must spend all his free time with her husband and their children. They also talk about their families, their husbands, how difficult it sometimes has been the relationships with daughters and sons, especially when they had to leave in Mexico or Guatemala for a while, then they can be brought to live with them. They speak of their religious faith and the joy they feel when they pray, dance or pray in temples. They talk about what they expect for themselves and their families in the future. Feel flattered that the people I work full trust in them. Are proud to be honored in support themselves and have kept faith with their families even under stress.
Each of the seven stories is very moving, for the pain and difficult times that these women have gone through, but also inspiring, because they all feel they have achieved great things and overcome enormous challenges and they all look with hope future.
This book is exemplary for those who do anthropology: the project was appropriate for women, and it is they who shine on every page. The anthropologist has remained, so far has been in the shadow and is illuminated only when they are asked to come to light. It's a great lesson Frank Cancian teacher, and hopefully know understand and follow.
