Social Stratification

A person's class status can be harder to identify than race or ethnic differences. However, I believe class status an important indicator about what kind of opportunities lie ahead for people in various class systems, although, I don't necessarily agree with the current class structure. Class places people into a type of structure which goes against the principal belief "that in America all are created equal," or that even the poorest child can become President some day if he or she applies him/her self. I agree with the argument of Mantsios and Fussell that social class remains largely invisible because our society doesn't want to believe that poverty exists in America. If Americans acknowledged poverty, then they would have to take some kind of action and do something to remedy it. Such action, of course, would create a huge ripple effect involving the whole hierarchical system. This can be a heated and bitter subject when one begins speaking of finances, more government funding, more education, or more taxes. It's much easier to turn a blind eye and deaf ear toward the needs of the poor, homeless, and hungry rather than give up the government funding for some pork belly project that is so insignificant to the needs of our human society. As in the old adage, "out of sight, out of mind."

I realize in order for a society to exist there needs to be a certain amount of structure. I also believe we need to come up with a new ideology to re-create a new structure where those living below the poverty level can at least have the opportunity to rise above it and with dignity. All people need the opportunity to better themselves, not just some. Defining class not only involves finances and education, but it incorporates family lineages, and job status. I'm sure it would include race as well. If something in life becomes stagnant there is no room for growth and without growth or purpose then life ceases to exist. The media continues to cater to the needs of the elite and government officials because that is the side their bread is buttered. Why give any recognition or acknowledge those in a lower class setting? It only draws attention to a NOT so perfect society. Occasionally the media will throw in a token and report that some big executive cheated and stole funds from a company to make the upper class seem "not so perfect." It's no secret to the rest of society that the elite rule the structure and makes most of the decisions where society is concerned. Education is one big advantage to unlocking many doors throughout life, and most people beneath the middle class structure don't have this advantage. This too, can create a ripple effect within its structure which is: unemployment, drugs and alcohol abuse, physical/sexual abuse, homelessness. The remainder of society doesn't want to hear how poverty can cause tragedy even to the point of one taking one's own life and the life of their child. What kind of society do we live in that death is the only alternative to poverty? One that wants to keep poverty hidden from the rest of the world hoping it will go away.

The Catholic church is no exception to "living high on the hog." We see some of its leaders living in the poshness of society and rubbing elbows with its elite. Even the affluent have their effects on the church (as stated in the following article). Have Catholics no shame? We are only too human when it comes to wanting the best society has to offer. Fortunately, most religious believe in living a simple lifestyle which includes living in common with their brothers or sisters and working among the poor. Religious will never be poor according to society's definition of poor because community meets all of their needs. When we speak of poverty in religious life, we are referring to gospel poverty, not material poverty. They ask us to live simple lives, own no property, and share everything in common with other members. Gospel poverty is a choice; material poverty is destitution which means we live and are therefore considered part of the middle class.

I see a society which doesn't want to accept responsibility or be held accountable for the conditions it has created throughout history. We all need to be accountable to a certain extent. Before I became a religious (which is strictly counter cultural in today's society) I worked in corporate America (Business Administration/Management) in the transportation industry for 22 years. This is predominantly an all male industry and those women who had the courage to venture forth in this type of career are usually the more assertive ones. I've seen how greedy corporate America can be and that it has total disregard for the value of human life. I continually argued with my employer over "profit vs. justice," especially when it involved a tired and worn out driver vs. a "hot load" that needed to be rushed because a particular plant would be shut down if the parts were not there. Profits were often placed above safety factors and government regulations as well. I have seen many corporations close their doors and move to another country (especially Mexico) since NAFTA opened the borders, all in the name of "profit." Labor abroad is cheap, the hours are grueling for only a few dollars a day, with no health or life insurance benefits, and since there are no EPA rules God only knows what types of chemicals are polluting the body or the water systems. I have witnessed aluminum coming into this country from Russia because it was much cheaper to process; however, it was contaminated with radiation.