Dirty Work: The Social Construction of Taint

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments It has been a pleasure working with the authors who contributed their fine work to this edited volume about dirty occupations. We appreciate the weeks or months they spent in the field to gather the data for their chapters about the people who work in interesting and important occupations. With respect to the entire volume, we would like to thank Carey Newman at Baylor University Press for his enthusiasm for and belief in this project. We owe Diane Smith and Ellen Conduit at Baylor a debt of gratitude for “cleaning up” our manuscript (editorial dirty work). This book is better for their efforts. We would also like to acknowledge those individuals in the Ethnography Division of the National Communication Association who have provided ongoing inspiration as well as guidance over the last several years . . . not to mention a “third space” for ethnographers to “be.” Shirley K. Drew Bob M. Gassaway Melanie Mills I want express my deep appreciation to my husband and partner Jim. He listened to me talk endlessly about the work, read every version of what I wrote, and has encouraged me every minute. I want to thank my father, Roger Drew, from whom I inherited my love for ix learning and for books. I am grateful to the many people who have influenced me in my work as a teacher, an ethnographer, and as a person. First, to my wonderful students (past and present) and colleagues at Pittsburg State University who make my work life a joy and a privilege. Thanks to Tina Allen and Janelle Iley for help with the editing. For inspiration to do the work, either by example, through personal conversations or both, I want to acknowledge the following people: Bob Gassaway, Patricia Geist, Bud Goodall, Bob Krizek, and Melanie Mills. To my good friend, novelist Max McCoy, whose support in the early stages of this project means more than he knows. Finally, thanks to the many individuals who agreed to let me “hang out” with them, ask questions, and generally just pry into their lives in order to better understand the work they do. Particularly I would like to express my appreciation to Judge Donald Noland, Chief Mendy Hulvey, and Sgt. Roger Rajotte. Shirley K. Drew This work would not be possible without my husband and partner , Tim, doing the family dirty work while I disappeared for days at a time in front of the computer, on the road, or hanging out at the hospital. You are a treasure. I am also grateful for my parents, James and Ruth Bailey, and the dirty work they did so that I wouldn’t have to. Big thanks go to Martha, Katie, and Lauren (my other cheerleaders at home), who also gave me space and support to complete this project. Working with Shirley and Bob was a pleasure (most of the time!). This book is a testament to good collaborative work. My writing is richer for personal conversations with (and encouragement from) Jim Wilcox, Mark Borzi, Tim Mills, Sherry Walker, Bud Goodall, Jack Berghorst, Lois Lyons, and Ramona Tomshack (along with the other hik’rbabes!). I wish Jim were still here to celebrate its conclusion. Finally, I would like to thank the participants in my research projects (you know who you are) for sharing your stories and giving me insights into your work lives that are reflected here. Melanie Mills I greatly appreciate the access that the crime scene investigators of the Albuquerque Police Department granted me and their willingness to answer questions about their work and their thoughts about their work. Similarly, I received excellent access from the x Acknowledgments physicians and staff at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, which I greatly appreciate. The people in both organizations taught me a great deal. I also am grateful for the support of my wife, Cheryl, the nicest person I have ever known. She lived with the telephones that rang at all hours of the day and night and understood when I was on a crime scene all night. She also tolerated my tales from the field and my excitement about the fascinating cases I encountered during my research. And I appreciate Ken Benson and Robert W. Habenstein, who showed me the fascination of studying occupations and professions. Bob M. Gassaway Acknowledgments xi ...