the reality of classism

Myth of America getting richer

From my first semester here at UT, I’ve learned that the evidence of America’s income gap and wealth disparity does not support the common myths that we hold about our country. Given this fact, I still find myself somewhat shocked when I hear another aspect of the reality of this country that proves the myth wrong. This week, my shock arose from the debunking of the myth that we are all getting richer. The reality is that the richest are getting richer and the vast majority are getting poorer. Furthermore, it is also a myth that the general population’s chances of success are getting more and more favorable.

I recently read the following New York Times article that demonstrates this reality: 2010 Data Show Surge in Poor Young Families.

The article stated that more than 1 in 3 young families with children are likely to be poor. The statistics show that 37% are poor, which is quite an increase from 20% in 2000 and an increase even from the peak of 36% in 1993. While the recession has something to do with it, the older population has not taken such a hit. While the wealth concentration gap is widening, even the chances for people/families to gain wealth and pass that on to children are not getting better but worse.

This finding really shocked me because I suppose I thought that we surely must be making some progress, it’s just slow progress. While unequal chances for success are the reality, they must be getting more and more equal every year, it’s just a slow process. As it turns out, slow progress would be good news. As this article shows, the chances for success are slimmer and for the upcoming generation it’s not an optimistic reality. The article has a quote from Maria Edelman, president of the Children’s Defense Fund, “The younger you are, the poorer you are, and that’s a disgrace.” Indeed it is. This nation holds onto these myths for the fact that they represent certain ideals about what America ought to be. They reinforce the sentiment of the American dream. The strength and beauty of this country isn’t in a symbol or an idealistic sentiment, rather it’s in the people. But what reality do people know today? What reality will our children know in the future, if this country continues to be comforted by the myths of an America that doesn’t exist? Did it ever?

“Classism From Our Mouths”

The author presents some personal confessions of classism at the beginning of the section. The one about her being in college and trying to convince a guy that he should sign up in order to donate money for famine relief. The guy couldn’t afford to be concerned about the issue because he was simply trying to pay his own way through college. This speaks to the impact of relevance. One’s class affects how much one perceives certain issues or concerns to be relevant. This goes right along with a discussion about climate change we had in my 3^rd World Development class. While the elite few who can afford to be activists discuss the depleting ozone layer and issues of biodiversity, the majority of the world must deal with getting clean water or surviving in urban slums with terrible air quality. While the ozone layer and biodiversity are completely critical issues, the plain fact is that they are not issues that are on most of the world’s mind. Ironically being charitable or an activist can in the process re-enforce classism.

While well-meaning activists are championing social justice causes, they must also realize that they are most likely able to do so because of their class. In my government class we were referring to developed countries such as the United States relating with third world countries about climate change. However, this issue very much applies to the class situation in the United States. While it may seem to not fit entirely with the picture of justice, compassion is critical as well as the ability to relate to people and be with them in the needs that are greatest for them. It’s more than being relevant in that it’s being relational.