Class and Privilege
I still struggle with the idea of privilege. I grew up in an area where the school system just recently got taken over by the federal government, there was a crackhouse right across the street from my home, and at least 8 boarded up house on my block. I would call these the manifestations of poverty, but now I don’t know what to call myself. After two years at an Ivy+ school I have not come to terms with the privilege that I am receiving at this school. The separation that I now must struggle with as my chances have now skyrocketed and I am almost assured to enter into the middle class life after I finish my education. But most of all, I struggle with the idea of where I will fall between the tensions of middle class and lower class life. How I will transition between what Professor William Julius Wilson calls the truly disadvantaged and life after I leave school.
The tension of these two groups is what worries me. I want to live in a neighborhood where I can interact with all socio-economic backgrounds and try to be a positive figure in my neighborhood and contribute to a social buffer that can make the lives of the people around me easier. I have learned that when the middle class returns to the inner city they don’t come empty handed. They bring better schools, stores, and recreational facilities with them. Things I wish someone had the power and influence to bring to my neighborhood in Cleveland. Things that two former East Cleveland mayors (who were both crooked, and one still in Jail for it) didn’t care enough to bring.
When looking at the Kenwood neighborhood in Chicago it is interesting to see the tensions that grew between the lower and middle class Black community. Differences in past experiences and current situations agitated the barriers that already existed between the two classes. These barriers initiated conflicts in opinion when deciding on various issues in the community. For example, when the block club was trying to decide if they would take down the public pay phone the difference in opinion revolved around what they experienced within their socio-economic background. The middle class Blacks said it was a security issue and a resource for drug dealers. But the lower class population of the Kenwood neighborhood counter argued that people who don’t have cell phones might need pay phones, not for any drug use, but for emergencies or other pertinent situations. The difference in class experience caused the people in the community to think differently about an issue they both faced.
It is small differences like this that I fear, that I will be disconnected from the neighborhoods that I was once a part of. That I will be less tolerant to the issues faced in poverty, and that people who are in poverty will be less tolerant of me helping them. Ultimately the point is, with privilege comes disconnection with a lower class of people that I want to dedicate my life to helping. For now the solution will be using these resources (that I have on my campus and in life) to help those from neighborhoods that were like mine when I was in grade school.
Yea I agree with this Jonathan to some extent. But one thing that I think we should be aware of is that people want help from the ground up with someone by their side, not from someone assuming superiority and feeling the need to “save” them. So I think that as long as we don’t go back into these neighborhoods with this mentality of “I’m a middle class superhero now, let me help you…” people will be responsive, and we can still be effective.
Yea I agree with this Jonathan to some extent. But one thing that I think we should be aware of is that people want help from the ground up with someone by their side, not from someone assuming superiority and feeling the need to “save” them. So I think that as long as we don’t go back into these neighborhoods with this mentality of “I’m a middle class superhero now, let me help you…” people will be responsive, and we can still be effective.
Thank you for sharing this piece. I feel I can relate to many of the things you had to say. I too come from a somewhat privileged background. I received the best opportunities public education could offer. I truly can say I received a quality education. Currently I’m finishing my last year of college at a very good private school.
My mother is a school-teacher and has worked predominately in at-risk schools. From her perspective she and I have both witnessed the tension between middle class and poor blacks especially in school. It’s the battle between the haves and the have-nots. I think you should continue to reach out to those who are in poor communities and serve as a role model. My mother was a first generation college student and was raised in the projects. After becoming a teacher, my mom worked in a school near the projects. One day I was observing her class and one of her students said, “What do you expect from us? We’re from the projects”. To which she replied, “So was I”. I felt this illustrates the sense of low and no expectations that many poor children have. It could also illustrate frustration since many of them want the help, are eager to learn, and better themselves, but do not have the means to do so. Without mentors and positive role models they turn to the streets and go straight down a path of self-destruction; ultimately leading to a continued cycle of poverty. These “gangs” are most often the people that show them love. Children reject the mainstream ideals of success because the lack institutional means to become successful. All they see is this guy’s a drug dealer, he has money, and etc. and I want that. They don’t see their neighbor who’s gotten an education and is living a good-life, doing what they love, and following their dreams.
I think you should return to places like your community and help the youth. Additionally you’ll be able to relate to the children and tell them how you got where you are now. You are an example and show that anything is possible. You can show children who grew up like yourself that no one should be a victim of their circumstances. Just because we can not help the situations we are born into, doesn’t mean we don’t have to accept it and fall victim to our circumstances. As long as you have good intentions things will work out, because you represent a light and beacon of hope. My older brother told me even in an infinite abundance of darkness, if you set of a light filled truth, love, and compassion, no matter how small it is, the darkness will vanish. I often think about this when I doubt that I can impact someone else’s life or make a difference.
Thank you for sharing this piece. I feel I can relate to many of the things you had to say. I too come from a somewhat privileged background. I received the best opportunities public education could offer. I truly can say I received a quality education. Currently I’m finishing my last year of college at a very good private school.
My mother is a school-teacher and has worked predominately in at-risk schools. From her perspective she and I have both witnessed the tension between middle class and poor blacks especially in school. It’s the battle between the haves and the have-nots. I think you should continue to reach out to those who are in poor communities and serve as a role model. My mother was a first generation college student and was raised in the projects. After becoming a teacher, my mom worked in a school near the projects. One day I was observing her class and one of her students said, “What do you expect from us? We’re from the projects”. To which she replied, “So was I”. I felt this illustrates the sense of low and no expectations that many poor children have. It could also illustrate frustration since many of them want the help, are eager to learn, and better themselves, but do not have the means to do so. Without mentors and positive role models they turn to the streets and go straight down a path of self-destruction; ultimately leading to a continued cycle of poverty. These “gangs” are most often the people that show them love. Children reject the mainstream ideals of success because the lack institutional means to become successful. All they see is this guy’s a drug dealer, he has money, and etc. and I want that. They don’t see their neighbor who’s gotten an education and is living a good-life, doing what they love, and following their dreams.
I think you should return to places like your community and help the youth. Additionally you’ll be able to relate to the children and tell them how you got where you are now. You are an example and show that anything is possible. You can show children who grew up like yourself that no one should be a victim of their circumstances. Just because we can not help the situations we are born into, doesn’t mean we don’t have to accept it and fall victim to our circumstances. As long as you have good intentions things will work out, because you represent a light and beacon of hope. My older brother told me even in an infinite abundance of darkness, if you set of a light filled truth, love, and compassion, no matter how small it is, the darkness will vanish. I often think about this when I doubt that I can impact someone else’s life or make a difference.