As for your post: Exactly! I washed dishes, painted signs, worked in a print shop, did the usual fast-food and retail gigs to help out at home. I usually worked two jobs at a time, as most places hired part timers so they didn't have to pay benefits.
Where has our work ethic gone?!? Nothing that is an honest living should be considered beneath someone. Ever watch Mike Rowe? He has am honest respect for people's work, whatever it happens to be! His shows are really interesting!
But it is.
So is 'acting white'.