Afi Ruel Have you been watching the Gilded Age? If so, you know how fabulous the show is!
If you haven’t seen the show or are not up to date, please advise: ***SPOILER ALERT***
Okay…let’s talk about Peggy Scott and the power of mobility. Before I talk about her specifically, one thing I couldn’t help but notice right off with the show was the costume design. Whoever was hired to create the designs is uber talented and kudos!
Now, Miss Peggy Scott is an African-American woman living in a time in America prior the Civil Rights Movement. While she comes from Brooklyn, New York and by happenstance finds herself living and working in Manhattan, New York, she is still subjected to racism every day. Case in point, she and her mother have to move out of the way of a White couple on the street. She has trouble hailing a carriage even though there are plenty on the street. And the sideways looks from the women in “society” who likely think it’s unimaginable that a “colored” woman should even breathe the same air as them is astonishing.
Yet, through a series of events, Peggy manages to land herself a secretarial job with one “old money” widow named Agnes van Rhijn once she displays her ability to effectively communicate in writing as well as verbally. This offers her an opportunity to room in Agnes’ house and become part of the staff – yet not in the typical role you would see an African-American woman at that time (chef, maid, servant, etc). Even in that, Peggy still has to navigate the dicey waters of class, race and gender with certain service staff members who believe she’s beneath them simply because she’s African-American.
In watching Peggy move, I’ve come to learn the power of mobility: the ability move freely and unencumbered when the opportunity to do so presents itself. Here’s how Peggy was able to do that:
- A transferable skill set: Not every skill you have is transferable. And if you don’t have a transferable skill set – get one! Peggy’s ability to communicate her thoughts verbally and in writing ultimately landed her 2 jobs and a comfortable place to stay. It also afforded her the ability stand on her own two feet.
- Being aware of oneself and one’s surroundings: There’s no way Peggy could have known that one act of kindness would land her an opportunity that many young African-American women her age would never have. But her ability to remain aware of the situation and to conduct herself accordingly allowed her to demonstrate where she could add value.
- Responding (or not) instead of reacting: Now, Peggy did react to Marian’s blunder with those dusty shoes. I suspect it’s because on some level there is a friendliness and possibility of friendship between the two. But outside of that, you don’t see Peggy reacting to much of anything. She responds. Or she doesn’t. Which places her in a much better position to associate herself with attributes such as competence and being likeable.
I love Peggy’s character. What do you think about her and how are you enjoying the show so far?
