[
I KILLED MY MOTHER screens Friday June 7th at 5:15 pm and Saturday June 8th at 7:00 pm at the Cleveland Cinematheque.]
Review by Charles Cassady, Jr.
I understand a new book is out entitled
The End of Man that potentially
explains a lot about my decades of failed job searches. It seems that,
as corporate bottom-line-capitalism grows ever more ruthless, the
management goal is now to hire as many women as possible instead of men.
Females can be paid less to work harder, says the author (a woman
herself). Struggling single mothers are especially prized by amoral HR
(whom, I personally notice, are always female; the one male
human-resource specialist I met had been laid off). Single moms, fearful
of their financial lifeline and already beaten-down by parenting
chores, will not make any waves while letting the company exploit,
overwork and generally walk all over them. So goes the
business/Personnel Department principles.
I'm afraid I can
readily believe that, at least here in Ohio. And thus, I have doubtless
lost numerous opportunities at employment, however thankless, that at
least might have paid me a stable, livable wage when I desperately need
it. And I lost to bargain-priced single mothers (even though, in
desperation, I might have worked for even cheaper than they would) with
minimal qualifactions. And I'll bet Cleveland's HR Mean Girls who did
the hiring gave themselves a little deep-denial pat on the back that
they were promoting `feminism.'
