Scott and Kelly

In the article “Weapon of the Weak”, James Scott mentions the everyday forms of resistant which is an act of resistance that are not as extreme as protesting or striking and it is meant to slowly wear down the powers of the powerful.  He observed these ideas from studying peasants in Malaysia and he observed that this form of resistance was being form everyday between peasants and landowners.  Peasants are aware of the consequences if they directly resistant their employers.  However, they performed few activities in a subtler and more nuanced way such as foot lagging, dissimulation, false compliance and pilfering.  These activities are meant to confuse their employers so they can misinterpret their workers as stupid and slow.  These activities and ideas are also mentioned in the article “Race Rebel” by Robin Kelly.  Kelly gave a personal example of working at McDonald in Pasadena, CA.  Since the employees were treated badly by the customers and getting paid low-wages, the workers compensated through consumption.  For instance, they made Quarter pound and apple pie last minute of closing so that they can take some home.  This was a way for resistance. 

                  Until this day, there is still mistreatment of employees in food industry or any places that provide customer services.  Based on the two articles, there is a constant struggle between the employers and employees.  Employees are stuck in a situation where they are not allowed to speak about their mistreatment in work because there is a chance they might get fired.  Employees don’t want to risk their jobs and not being able to provide for themselves and loved one.  In situations like this, employers should be the one to lay the foundation of what kind of work environment employees expect.  The reason employees resort to other forms of resistance is due to the mistreatment from their employers.  Regardless of how the customers treats them, it is up to the employer to protect their employees.  In this case, trust has been broken once the employers mistreat their workers. 

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