I love the American rags to riches story. I think I kind of believe it, or want to believe that anyone can start from the bottom and climb up and reach their career dreams. But lately I’ve been wondering a lot: is it still possible in America today? Is there still opportunity for people at the very bottom to work honestly and climb out of the cracks and reach the upper middle class? I’m not talking about a select few American Idols or inner-city rappers who explode on the pop culture charts and go from dirt poor to two body guards and three swimming pools. I’m talking about ordinary folks like me (and perhaps you?) who are underprivileged and a few steps behind the pack because we are like immigrants or ghetto folks; we don’t have the benefits of a good education and financial cushioning from parents, we have childcare expenses at a young age that upper class Americans don’t have, yet we have the grit and determination to do whatever it takes to get to financial comfort and security so we can offer these privileges to our children. I think about the question of the underprivileged a lot, because I work two jobs and don’t see a light to the end of this tunnel; and I know that I’m already lucky. I am only supporting one kid and I’ve had a job for years! As I’ve tried to make ends meet, I’ve realized a lot of good opportunities, from scholarships to grants to jobs, are doled out based on what’s on the “resume,” that template that flattens everything a person is worth into one format, and what fits on the resume seems to be the product of privilege. All of the things that adore resumes; education, publishing, travels, volunteer, hobbies, references – take time and money. So those with good financial backing, children from the upper class, they have the good resumes and the coaching to perfect resume gobbledygook, and it seems that they are the ones for whom doors open. So the resume and grant/scholarship application system gives opportunities mostly to the upper class, and it is easy to see why institutions and companies would filter talent that way; because it is much safer and cheaper than investing in raw talent. The polished/over-educated/prep-schooled upper class is more likely to turn a profit and stay in the upper class. These rich folks then begrudgingly pay taxes to support the underprivileged. The underprivileged, on the other hand, only get that low-income governmental support and charity if they remain poor. If they earn a moderate income, they lose all financial support and pay heaps of taxes. This leaves no room for experimentation, risk taking, education and personal growth. It is a bleak cycle of limited opportunity for those on the bottom rung. With today’s high cost of living expenses, high taxes on anything above the poverty line, and limited opportunity for anyone without an elegant resume, the American system for the underprivileged seems to promote surviving, not thriving. Where does the rags to riches story fall amid all this? Away?
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 21:54:05 +0000
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