Unorganized Women: Repetitive Rhetorical Labor and Low/No-Wage Workers

Greer's book explores how repetitive discursive performances by women workers rescripted power relations and resisted narratives about their laboring lives, constructing a rich history of womens rhetoric in the US.

Format: Hardback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 14 February 2023
Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press

Greer's study explores the use of repetitive discursive performances by women workers across various industrial, domestic, and agricultural sites as a means to reshape power dynamics in their workplaces and challenge narratives about their labor experiences. Through comprehensive case studies, the book reveals significant patterns in how these women's words contributed to the construction of the intricate web of class relations in which they were entangled. Rather than a linear narrative of economic empowerment spanning a century, Unorganized Women sheds light on the persistent challenges faced by low- and no-wage women, their remarkable creativity and resilience in the face of adversity, and the barriers that hinder the formation of meaningful coalitions. By foregrounding the repetitive nature of rhetorical labor, this book provides a valuable entry point for analyzing the discursive productions of a diverse range of women workers and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of women's rhetoric in the United States.

Introduction:
In the context of industrial, domestic, and agricultural settings, Greer's study delves into the role of repetitive discursive performances by women workers as powerful tools for reshaping power relations and challenging prevailing narratives about their labor experiences. Through comprehensive case studies, the book uncovers significant patterns in how these women's words contributed to the construction of the intricate web of class relations in which they were entangled. Rather than a linear narrative of economic empowerment spanning a century, Unorganized Women sheds light on the persistent challenges faced by low- and no-wage women, their remarkable creativity and resilience in the face of adversity, and the barriers that hinder the formation of meaningful coalitions. By foregrounding the repetitive nature of rhetorical labor, this book provides a valuable entry point for analyzing the discursive productions of a diverse range of women workers and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of women's rhetoric in the United States.

Power Dynamics and Reshaping Narratives:
Greer's study highlights the ways in which women workers employed repetitive discursive performances to challenge dominant narratives and redefine power dynamics in their workplaces. By engaging in repetitive conversations and speeches, these women sought to assert their agency and challenge the hierarchies and stereotypes that often marginalized them. Through their words, they sought to reshape the narratives surrounding their labor experiences, highlighting the contributions they made and the challenges they faced. The case studies reveal noteworthy patterns in how these women's words helped to construct the complex web of class relations in which they were enmeshed. By challenging prevailing narratives and highlighting their experiences, these women contributed to the broader discourse on gender, labor, and social inequality.

The Role of Rhetorical Labor:
Greer's study emphasizes the role of repetitive rhetorical labor as a means of analyzing the discursive productions of women workers. By focusing on the repetitive nature of these performances, the book provides a deeper understanding of the ways in which women negotiated power, challenged narratives, and constructed identities within their workplaces. The case studies reveal the creativity and resilience of these women as they navigated complex social and economic landscapes, using their words to advocate for their rights and create change. Through their repetitive rhetorical labor, these women helped to shape the broader discourse on women's labor and contributed to the development of feminist rhetoric and theory.

Persistent Challenges:
Unorganized Women does not present a teleological narrative of economic empowerment over a century. Instead, it acknowledges the enduring obstacles faced by low- and no-wage women, including discrimination, exploitation, and limited access to resources. The book highlights the creativity and resilience of these women as they navigate these challenges, using their words to advocate for their rights and create change. However, it also points to the challenges that impede the creation of meaningful coalitions and the need for collective action to address the systemic issues that perpetuate inequality.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Greer's study of repetitive discursive performances by women workers offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the ways in which women have used their words to reshape power relations and challenge narratives about their labor experiences. By focusing on the repetitive nature of these performances, the book provides a valuable entry point for analyzing the discursive productions of a diverse range of women workers and contributes to a more comprehensive history of women's rhetoric in the United States. The case studies reveal the creativity and resilience of these women as they navigate complex social and economic landscapes, using their words to advocate for their rights and create change. However, the book also highlights the enduring obstacles faced by low- and no-wage women and the need for collective action to address the systemic issues that perpetuate inequality.

Dimension: 203 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780822947554