class and inequality is leading us into conflict

Class inequality is reflected in the episode 512 “House Rule” of this American Life podcast.  The episode explains issues that regard racial segregation about school and housing.  First, it started with a 15^th year old girl name Jada who was kicked out of school by administrators because Jada’s mother  used her grandfather’s address in Copley , a wealthy neighborhood, instead using her own address in Akron in a poor area. As a result, Jada couldn’t continue her education in the Copley-Fairlawn school. The administrators were imposing class and inequality against Jada.  Since Jada was not from a wealthy family she cannot go to a school where upper-class kids can attend.  Therefore, Kelly Williams, Jada’s mother was sent in jail for 10days because of her giving a wrong address to enroll her child in school. This shows that class is not just perceived as been rich but also as being black as well. Since Jada was black the school administrators see her as an underclass individual. Since education determines our class then the class we belong to affect our education as well, because the more money a person’s family has the better educated that person would be.

The second point in the episode about renting an apartment in areas that are considered wealthy neighborhoods. Elbe, a black man wanted a one bedroom apartment for his family. However, the super of the building denied him of the apartment, because his black. Even the tone of the super sounded racism he lied about the rent of the apartment thinking that the black man could not afford that price. However, when a white lady came to see the apartment the super sounded very nice and didn’t mention the same price he told the black man. It was $1150 while he told Elbe a price higher than this. All these attitudes showed racial segregated in concern where we also choose to live. He was experiencing classism in term of his skin color. Even, if the black man had that amount of money, the upper wouldn’t let him have the apartment because of his race or ethnicity, educational background and behavior are all factors class-based status in the social life.     

This issue continued throughout the conversation in the episode. Many black people were denied of the apartment they pointed out to rent. While each time a white person comes for the apartment the super have a different view and responds to them. They were discriminated against. Until, when the fair housing laws in 1968 was passed. George Romney, the former governor of Michigan was fighting to end racial on housing. He wanted to eliminate racial segregation in housing. However, President Nixon didn’t like the idea of Romney changing the ways of the social structure of segregating housing based on race. Nicole emphases that the public transportation is also perceived in the racial issue. She points out that when the bus get to a certain neighborhood all white people get off from in a specific area or town when almost half of these people are white. In the case, I too have noticed that whenever the train gets to 72 street and 96 street all the white folks get off and only colored ones stay ride the train from those stops throughout the Bronx.  I noticing this made me think that even where we choose to live is influenced by our class. Most part of the Bronx is perceived as poor areas, whereas, Manhattan is seeing as upper-class areas.

It is true that class is not just about the wealth, it includes many other crucial issues that make up our social life. Such as education, work, lifestyle, health and even politics all are part of us which determine our class. However, it does also bring conflict of inequality between classes, because the upper-class may see themselves as superior and more powerful that the lower-class which leads to discrimination.