Working Class Hero

John Lennon once wrote “A working class hero is something to be” and I couldn’t agree more. I grew up in a family of hard working people. My grandfather was a painter and worked until the year he died which was his 76th. My grandmother worked until she was in her early 70’s, my dad until he was 65, and my mom always worked and still does, sometimes 2 jobs. My parents worked nights, weekends, and whatever it took to make money so they could give us what we needed. My parents did not work desk jobs, they were on their feet all day doing physical labor. I always admired their work ethic.

Every time I turn on the TV these days, there is a message that honors “men and women in uniform.” Trust me, I respect our soldiers for their dedication and service, but I think men and women in the armed forces, police and firemen/women seem to get all the attention as “heroes” and society overlooks many of the other professions that keep our country and society functioning. Sure, these folks put their lives on the line, but like any other job, it is something they chose to do.

Go to any bar in any town, they have specials for police, fireman, armed forces personnel, but nothing for anyone else. It makes me mad. There are all kinds of heroes that should be honored. How about the single moms out there that are busting their asses working 2 and 3 jobs to raise their kids? How about the garbage men that pick up our nasty-ass trash at the curb twice a week? I don’t see a garbage man night at the local pub, yet if it wasn’t for them, rats would be biting us all in the ass as we walked out our front doors. I work as a buyer for a technology company, how about buyer night at the local strip club? Free lap dances, free drinks, and free chicken at KFC afterwards all because I am a buyer.

Many of you are addicted to that morning coffee. How about honoring the local Dunkin Donuts worker who is up at 4am brewing your coffee so you can “function” at your job? We seem to overlook all of these people and make certain professions seem more important. How about teachers? Teachers in the inner cities are grossly underpaid, yet show up each day trying so hard to make a difference in the lives of our children, the future of this country, yet we rarely honor them. I’d much rather honor a person with a book in their hand than one with a rifle in theirs. Maybe it is just me.

Since 9/11/01, I think our attention and “respect” for those three professions has increased, but I think it has gotten a bit out of hand. 3,000 other people perished that day too, yet the media focuses on the police and fire personnel more than the average Joe that was sitting at his desk that morning that never saw the attack coming. I feel worse for those people than I do anyone else. They weren’t trained, did not have gear, they were just sitting ducks.

Sure, let’s honor our police, fire, and military units, but let us not forget the millions of people that get up each day that do the jobs that don’t get the attention or respect that they deserve. John Lennon was right, “A working class hero is something to be.”

As soon as your born they make you feel small,
By giving you no time instead of it all,
Till the pain is so big you feel nothing at all,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
They hurt you at home and they hit you at school,
They hate you if you're clever and they despise a fool,
Till you're so fucking crazy you can't follow their rules,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
When they've tortured and scared you for twenty odd years,
Then they expect you to pick a career,
When you can't really function you're so full of fear,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
Keep you doped with religion and sex and TV,
And you think you're so clever and classless and free,
But you're still fucking peasants as far as I can see,
A working class hero is something to be,
A working class hero is something to be.
There's room at the top they are telling you still,
But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,
If you want to be like the folks on the hill,
A working class hero is something to be.
A working class hero is something to be.
If you want to be a hero well just follow me,
If you want to be a hero well just follow me.