Hi!
I am currently doing dissertation research at the University of Kentucky on the US Trucking industry, specifically the long haul sector. The title is "Life on the Big Slab: Identity and Mobility in the US Trucking Industry". Most of my research is based on interviews with drivers. At this point I've done interviews with over 20 drivers.
I want my research to have a diverse sampling of drivers. Around 12 percent of drivers identify as African American and around 10 percent of drivers identify as Latino.I'm certainly not limiting 'minority' to those particular groups but I think those numbers are helpful in understanding what the industry 'looks' like. A lot of the research that is currently out there about the industry doesn't include people of color. In at least one project, 75 drivers were interviewed and they were all white. However, a lot of companies are now trying to hire more minorities especially given the so-called 'drivers shortage.' (And yes I know that a lot (probably most) drivers think the 'shortage' is bogus.![]()
If you are someone who identifies with a minority group in the industry I would really like to talk to you. Feel free to PM me and I can give you more information about the project. All interviews are confidential.
Thanks!!
Valerie K
Interviews with Minority Drivers?
Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by vjkeathley, May 3, 2010.
Page 1 of 5
-
-
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
-
OH BOY!!!!! Just what we need. Some more of the same racist garbage. If you want to blow smoke screens, take it somewhere that people are a bit less intelligent.!!!!

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHAT THE ETHNIC BACKGROUND OF A PERSON IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Those statements are MY opinion, this website, and who reply will be held blameless by anything I said. And you can take that to the bank.
I am a real American, hence, race, color, creed, and anything else that singles out a particular sector of citizens in MY/OUR country, makes NO difference!!!
Have a nice day.animal, lonewolf4ad and Working Class Patriot Thank this. -
wow, felt some heat come off that last post.
-
Yeah, that's an example of why I don't frequent the Political forum. It just really rankles me when I see stuff like that.
Sorry to original poster, but that's how I feel about things like that. I was taught that, "All men/women are created equal". I just think there is really no room in this world for people that have to differentiate for any reason. -
"However, a lot of companies are now trying to hire more minorities"
Can that have anything to do with some minorities who are willing to work for next to nothing? -
I think I see where you're wanting to go with that, but don't we all drive for next to nothing? Certainly not what we should get for the service we perform.
-
Most do, but some don't seem to have a problem with it. -
Being a minority has nothing to do with it. It's the brain cell thing ya know?
Working Class Patriot Thanks this. -
Johnday
I see where you're coming from. But, let me put it you this way. 19 out of 20 interviews that I've conducted have been with white individuals. Not all truck drivers are white. What's wrong with making sure that my work reflects that?
Valerie -
Well, I thought I'd been perfectly clear. But let be a little nicer.
I really think that all this minority this, minority that stuff, does nothing but foment hostility between races, ethnic background, whatever.
Now a question to you. What's wrong with a person being promoted if, you will, on his/her own merits, without any consideration other than just that.
I very truly feel, that if things like you're trying to do would just "go away", eventually, we might all become colour blind. Sounds utopian, I know. But it is food for thought.
and 1 guest Thanks this.
Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
Page 1 of 5