Before Calvin Coolidge became president, he was governor of Massachusetts. He wrote the following eye-opening statement on September 1, 1919:
Calvin Coolidge on the Value of Toil
“I cannot think of anything characteristically American that was not produced by toil (work). I cannot think of any American man or woman preeminent in the history of our Nation who did not reach their place through toil. I cannot think of anything that represents the American people as a whole so adequately as honest work. We perform different tasks, but the spirit is the same. We are proud of work and ashamed of idleness. With us there is no menial task, no degrading service. All work is ennobling, and all workers are ennobled.”
Modern Labor Day: Changing Attitudes Toward Work
What strikes you about President Coolidge’s statement? Here are my thoughts:
1. It is an American value to work heartily and diligently at whatever job you have.
Examples include being unemployed and looking for a new job; homeschooling your children/grandchildren; doing work you don’t want to do for this season so you and your family can eat; pursuing recovery from illness.
2. We don’t get to level up without hard work, whether mental, physical, spiritual, or emotional.
Americans do the hard work to achieve their goals and full potential.
3. Doing honest work is an American value. Lying to get ahead is not acceptable.
4. We are expected to pay workers what they are owed.
One hundred years ago, people were ashamed of idleness and proud of their work.
What is our view of idleness today?
5. One hundred years ago, Americans were humble enough to do what needed to be done.
What is our view of doing work that isn’t in our “gift mix?” Is there any work that is “beneath” you?
Lessons from the Past: The Importance of Honest Work
Today, we see little to celebrate about work. Consider what was going on in the world in 1919, when Coolidge made his statement:
The Treaty of Versailles was signed to end World War I but set the stage for World War II.
The Russian Revolution
The Communist Party of America organized in Chicago.
The Red Scare
The Spanish Flu pandemic
It was not exactly a time of ease in the world or at the job. Yet, future President Calvin Coolidge took time to acknowledge the value of American work. This acknowledgment is crucial, especially in times of uncertainty, as it adds perspective to our thoughts about Labor Day and reminds us of the importance of our contributions.
Labor Day Appreciation: Recognizing Every Worker
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the value of the work our fellow Americans do.
Thank you for the work you do and have done for our country. Tell us in the comments what work you do/did. Was it your “dream job?”
As always, please avoid using the names of prominent politicians or current political parties.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
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