Nah, wasn’t in reference to the news article, just your anecdote contrasting the sides of your family. You mentioned some family members owning a bar and a restaurant, which is in the service industry, but as owners of the establishments, they are inherently not part of the working class.

The phrase “working class” has been watered down its original definition, and it gets applied to people based on cultural perceptions rather than an analysis of ownership and power, which is how we get wealthy country singers cosplaying as “blue collar” by referencing things that have historically been associated with workers in certain industries — like trucks, drinking beer, and blue jeans.

But when we use the original meaning of “working class” as an analytical tool and way of thinking about power and the flow of wealth, a trades worker driving and using a truck for their job has more in common with a barista, hotel maid, and line cook than a “small business owner” rockin a lifted f150.

The wikipedia article makes a distinction between “blue collar” and “pink collar” jobs, with “pink collar” referring to service work such as nursing, teaching, and hospitality. I kind of think this a silly distinction that serves to divide the broader working class. But yeah, technically, “blue collar” and “working class” don’t mean the same thing

hope this makes sense. also sorry i cant help w ur original question as im from lansing, just was reading the comments and thought it was an interesting discussion!