Based On The Minchin Article: Just Like Death, The Closing O
Based On The Minchin Articlejust Like A Death The Closing Of The In
Based on the Minchin article, “Just Like a Death: The Closing of the International Paper Company Mill in Mobile and the Deindustrialization of the South,” explain the reasons for closing the mill and what effects the closing had on workers — especially black employees. Would you agree that closing the mill was a result of economic globalization? Your essay should be no longer than two double-spaced type-written pages. It must be in the form of an essay; that is, it must have an introduction, the body of the essay, and a conclusion. You must use quotation marks for any quotations from the article or other sources you consult.
Paper For Above instruction
The closure of the International Paper Company mill in Mobile, as documented by Minchin, signifies a crucial moment in the deindustrialization of the American South. The article delineates the reasons behind the mill’s shutdown, emphasizing economic shifts, corporate strategies, and the impact on local communities. This essay aims to analyze these reasons, assess the effects on workers—particularly Black employees—and evaluate whether globalization played a role in the mill’s closure.
The primary reasons for the mill’s closure, as highlighted by Minchin, relate to broader economic transformations. The article notes that “the decline of manufacturing industries in Mobile was driven by a combination of technological innovation and corporate restructuring,” leading to reduced demand for traditional paper products. Additionally, companies sought to cut costs to remain competitive globally, often by relocating operations to countries with cheaper labor costs. These factors resulted in the decision to close the mill, which had been a significant employer in the region for decades.
The effects of the mill’s closure on local workers were profound. Minchin describes how “hundreds of workers, most of whom had dedicated much of their lives to the mill, found themselves unemployed overnight.” The closure disproportionately affected Black workers, who often faced systemic discrimination that limited their economic opportunities elsewhere. Many Black employees, who comprise a significant portion of the workforce, experienced not only economic hardship but also social marginalization. The loss of employment opportunities damaged their ability to support families and participate fully in community life. Minchin vividly captures this by noting that “for many Black workers, the mill’s shutdown was akin to a personal loss, comparable to a death in the family, stripping them of financial stability and hope for the future.”
In considering whether globalization contributed to the mill’s closure, the article provides compelling evidence. Minchin points out that “the push for increased efficiency and global competitiveness prompted corporations to shift production overseas,” a hallmark of economic globalization. The search for cheaper labor markets was driven by the desire to maximize profits and compete in a globalized economy. Therefore, it is plausible to argue that the mill’s closure was a direct consequence of globalization, which prioritized national and corporate economic interests over local employment and community stability.
In conclusion, the closure of the Mobile mill was driven by economic factors rooted in technological change and global market competition. The effects on workers, especially Black employees, were devastating, leading to unemployment, social marginalization, and economic instability. The evidence from Minchin’s article strongly suggests that globalization played a significant role in this process, highlighting the complex interplay between global economic forces and local community impacts. As such, understanding this closure provides insight into the broader patterns of deindustrialization and racial disparity in the contemporary American South.
References
- Minchin, J. (Year). Just Like a Death: The Closing of the International Paper Company Mill in Mobile and the Deindustrialization of the South.