Classes within Classes: Interplay Between Race and the Middle Class

As I have touched on in previous posts, there is a clear social hierarchy within the US. In its simplest form the US class system is composed of the lower, middle, and upper class (with a few sub-groups within each). The majority of Americans describe their selves as being from the middle class. It is a popular belief that if you are not in the middle class, you are not a true American. This is to say when a person pictures the standard American family, they don't think of a family of five in a slummy apartment or a family who has lived in the same mansion for three generations. No, when you picture the American family, you imagine a typical 1950s suburban home; 2-3 kids, decent sized home, and all smiling. Another association that tends to be invoked with the middle class (especially the upper class) is that they are composed of purely whites. However, many African-American families have ascended into these classes, but there is still a divide between the minority groups of the middle class and the Caucasian population.

Even though there are many discriminatory barriers that block many from having social mobility, there are those you have over come them to achieve a higher class title. Once in this new middle class, you should feel accepted and happy; however this is not always the case. African Americans that have joined the middle class face new sets of problems associated with their identity. We like to think that as Americans, we are color blind. In reality this is not the case and upon close examination we see that race further divides social classes that much more. In the video we watched last week in class, they spent a substantial time on the describing the plight of members of the black middle class. Even after they have risen past their meager means and into a more affluent position, there are still negative stigmas surrounding them.

You would like to think that if you are from an impoverished neighborhood that if you make it and advance in class then those that you have grown up with would be happy. We saw that this is not the case. It seems that once this new middle class status is achieved, then those around begin to see you in a different light. If you are a black individual in the middle class, then you basically have your "blackness" revoked. Once you uptain this higher class, then you are considered a sell out by those that still linger in the lower class. For one to have this said about them can be a huge emotional and mental blow. Phrases like "Uncle Tom" are thrown at them as well as being described as being "Crosby black"; taking on the image of the classic white suburbanite. How does one respond to such things, with anger or do they begin to accept their new appointed role?

The idea of, "If you're like them (white), maybe they will accept you" was thrown around in the video. Once you have been outcast by your own race, a person may seek approval and validation from another race. Once in the middle class, it is plausible that one will begin to walk, talk, and act like the rest of the people. However, a person's race sticks with them forever. The negativity received from both those in the lower class and their white counterparts in the middle class has lead them to develop their own sub-group. Being black middle class has become a new entity altogether and some aspects even exclude the possibility for future members to join. Organizations such as the Jack and Jill Schools which provide higher education and improved life-style are by invite only; so even if you do achieve this new class ranking, you face the prospect of being shunned by those in the same racial and socio-economic circumstances that you are in. Even if you are black and rise up from the lower class, it seems that it is a win-lose situation. While you may have better economic means to raise your family, you are shut out not only by the white middle class, but also by those of your own race in lower classes.

How can we eradicate such a polarizing trend? We would have to revolutionize how people think about race altogether. Not being able to have upward mobility is one thing, but to face the same discrimination once you get there (even from those of your own ethnicity & race) is another issue entirely. If progress is to be made in class relationships within this country, then we have to stop fighting amongst our selves over petty differences. If you cannot unify together to achieve the same goals, then society will be further fragmented and more individual sub-groups will form, thus destroying the principles of until and equality so many have fought for in the US.