San Francisco Postal Workers' Protest Shaming (Scripts and Systems--Learning about Affect Theory)

Shame and Affect Theory (Nathanson)

Responses to First Learning about Affect Theory by Jim Duffy a.k.a. J.C.D., 2/28/97

San Francisco Postal Workers' Protest Shaming (Scripts and Systems--Learning about Affect Theory)

by c.h., 3/14/97

Thank you for your comments and support, Ed and Vick....I'm encouraged to do more study (three books by Donald Nathanson, four by Silvan Tomkins, three by Gershen Kaufman) to consolidate my understandings of what is meant by "scripts"....so I can relate the concept to systems "norms" (native organizational maintenance strategies) that assure systems homeostasis.

What brings this up is a Feb 13, 1997, street picket by San Francisco postal workers. Amazingly, they protested "abusive managers!" In a phone call to the Letter Carriers Union Branch 214, I learned that three unions have identified eight managers in different facilities in the San Francisco as "sadistic" and that top management has not been able to correct the problem (that is, the "sadistic" managers are performing systems homeostasis service)---hence the courageous, amazingly well-organized, and peaceful protest.

This is a very good case to use to think about when considering what "scripts" are being played out and how these scripts support and interface with the "system" ----all the time keeping in mind that the postal service serves as a national scapegoat. Keep an eye out for (shaming) references to postal workers in your favorite TV movie!

One or more of the three unions carrying out the protest may (or may not!) have interest in our (Work and Family Resources) work abuse seminar.....education about shame, scripts and systems would be central to our proposed involvement....hence my interest in managerial "scripts" and how they sustain a scapegoating "system." Appropriate introduction of new language can empower scapegoated letter carriers by helping them understand the bullying and other injustices they endure daily. Chauncey Hare. (E-mail: workfamily@workmail.com.)

Postal Workers Scripts/Systems Not Unlike Hazing Mental Health Interns by c.h., 3/14/97
- Glad You're Curious, Too, C.H. by Jim Duffy, 3/15/97
  - Einstein, Tomkins, Darwin and *Hiding Out*....... by c.h., 3/15/97
- Narcissism, Shame, and the Taboo on Neediness Could Be Understood When the Mental Health Profession Understands Sympathy by Jim Duffy, 3/20/97
  - Sympathy unmasked by Don Nathanson, 3/21/97
    - What is Sympathy? Parts I, II, III, and IV by Jim Duffy, 3/21/97
      - Great Dialogue...a small systems thought...Please Continue! by c.h., 3/21/97
        
        Chauncey, I Appreciate Your Appreciation by Jim Duffy, 3/22/97
      - Sympathy for the Devil by Rich Kuyper, 3/22/97
        
        You Are The Expert on Therapy, Rich. I Will Ponder Theories with You by Jim Duffy, 3/22/97
        
        Therapy for Abusers by Margaret Blakely, 3/23/97
        
        Wow, Good Idea! by Jim Duffy, 3/23/97
        
        On Support for the Sinner by Rich Kuyper, 3/24/97
        
        ....and all the siners...Saints by Ed Riemann LCSW, 3/23/97
        
        A victim's thought by sarah, 5/2/97
      - Caring? Love? Sympathy? by Don Nathanson, 3/22/97
        
        How Does Affect Theory Explain the Care in a Caring Person? by Jim Duffy, 3/22/97
      - Sympathy, Empathy, etc. by Margaret Blakely, 3/23/97
        
        Thanks For Your Thoughtful Input, Margaret by Jim Duffy, 3/23/97
        Margaret - Hanging out as close to the center of the compass of shame as possible. by Steve Shmurak, 10/26/97
        
        Center of Compass-Continuation by Steve Shmurak, 10/27/97
  - Humor...Margaret a *Lightweight*, Jim Washes Away *Sympathy*; What's Happening to Rich? by c.h., 3/23/97
  - Comment by Rich Kuyper, 3/25/97
    - Faith, Hope, Love, and Science Sustain Us Through a Shame Darkened March of History by Jim Duffy, 3/27/97
      - Men and Shame....Enormous Issue Now Faced Directly by Jim! Thank you! by c.h., 3/28/97
        
        Chauncey, I Love the Work You Do by Jim Duffy, 3/28/97
        Enormous issue by Margaret Blakely, 3/28/97
        Oil and Water by Ed Riemann, 3/30/97
      - Men and shame by Margaret Blakely, 3/28/97
        
        I Know What You Mean, Margaret by Jim Duffy, 3/29/97
        
        Woops, I Goofed Again on My Web Page Address by Jim Duffy, 3/29/97
        
        What Can Women Do about Men's Needing to Adapt to (Shaming) Systems? by c.h., 3/29/97
      - Ed...I'm Laughing... by c.h., 3/31/97
        
        How You Play the Game by Ed Riemann, 3/31/97
    - Beggars Banquet by Ed Riemann, 3/30/97