Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right

by Arlie Russell Hochschild

When asked about a long list of risks, white males stood out from all other groups as being less likely to see risk. Maybe Donny was more like the white male crafts worker, and Mike Tritico was more like the manager. The two men also differed in what they thought ought to be done about exposure. They assigned honor differently. Exposed to danger in some of his jobs, Donny tended to stand brave against it and to honor bravery. Less exposed to danger, Tritico wanted to reduce the need for bravery. Donny said, in essence, “I’m strong. You’re strong. Mother Nature is strong. We can take it.” In this way, he resembled the Cowboy. Tritico valued the precautionary principle and said, in essence, “The real strength we need is to stand up to industry and the almighty dollar.”