Chapter 9 Class and Global Inequality. (Cause of Death: Inequality) People Like Us.

                                                                                                               



       People Like Us addresses the many underlying factors of social class here in America. At start of this video there are pictures being shown of different individuals inwhich people try to indentify and speculate what social status they belong to based on their looks, their surroundings and their body language. A very strong case of stereotyping was very prevalent within this scenerio. However I feel its fair to say as a collective society this is a norm. Stated in the video placing people into certain classes is an "American Principal". Where one works, popularity, money, big home, small home, the list goes on. There are many measures of class in America; based on which class you fall into is what determines your lifestyle ( food you eat, hair, where you live, how you spend your time, sports, leisure) are some of the many factors in determining ones social class accoring to the video "People Like Us". I will further elaborate.

       "Certainly I would'nt drive a Ford, its problably stolen". I found that to be hilarious, I actually laughed in a computer lab full of people. Was it really funny? Well yes, funny because the woman that made the statement was upper class "high sidity", what actually tickled me more;This is really her preception, to think as such is really a norm, belief, a part of her values. In all trueness is that true.... Absolutely not, many hard working individuals drive a Ford. I acutally know a person that has the means to purchase a more elite car, however he drives around in a Ford Taurus. One may say that is absurd, let him tell it, and he will say, he perfers it to be that way, he is more detailed oriented to have his buisness expand; accumilating more assets more bank. Though she is not necessarliy wrong because Americans are very diverse and divide themselves by sticking to their norms, shying away from others that don't fit into their social status.

       Jenny Sales married a millionaire, uping her rank within social status, she teaches those who wish to upgrade their social class lessons on how to decode the rich.  How to walk, talk, flaunt it, bejeweled, how far a part ones feet must be while standing, so one can appeal, fit, and play the part to be socially accepted; further upgrading their status (class). A good example of this notion, "The Joneses"a movie that perpetuates in order to be accepted of a high class society you must follow the rules; The do's and do nots ; should one not follow, one will be an outcast, furthering more having consequences of not being socially accepted with their fellow peer group. I thought peer pressure ended in grade school. Appearantly not. As stated in the video we are living in a society where as its "Permanent High School". Always upgrading ourselves to socially fit in one way or another, even if by means of deviat acts (in some instances of social class).
Choice reveals your class?? according to "People Like Us" even advertisiment is a major theme identifying ones social class. Where we shop, name brands one chooses, language that one may not understand, but because it sounds Snazzy.. evoking a concept that speaks class.

       Dive bars are preceived as down to earth, some surburban white kids perfer to go to these kinds of bars, saying the people are far more genuine then that of trendier bar settings. Men in their golden years still boozing it up, having a good time. One patron speaks out and says, these Yuppies like to attend their bars because they can't get away with it within their own social class, (I suppose it would be consisdered a deviant act)  so they go slumming to find a place where they feel accepted.
Salt if the Earth, also known as the Blue Collar Life in a White Collar World, (class) are hard working individuals, some are home owers that choose to dress their yards with ornaments that one of another "social class"will see as tack, hideoous, or subpar.

       The Great Gatsby- New money states its claim. Hamptons New York. Addressed the wealth effect on Wall Street. Their motto (Rich Rule) and their "Rude" about it too. Thier social class consist of money gets you accepted to a certain degree). New money making its way, having more flair, more artsy than traditional (old money concept). Understanding the Rules of The Game is a major theme within this social class, though you may have the means, you still may not be accepted for one reason or another, it "doesn't necessarily mean you are ready to swim with the big fish", "Money gets it, class sustains it", as said in the video.  Wealth is very dominiant within this social class, their means, assests, way of living are all on a very high class basis.

       Wasp, The wasp are very traditional yet very prudent with their means, culture snobs in my opinion. They have means but not on a Grand scale, they can afford a pair of Gucci sneakers, but as noted in the video... They'd better wear them to Death. In this social class they make use of their wealth, yet they have no food within their homes... Oxy moron to me, but I guess that is just the way it runs within their social class.  & the Bells, who could forget the Darling Bells. These young woman were raised/conditioned to want to be a "bell" they inspire to be a "bell", where as the more "elite" (well off) are planning their childrens education from the time of birth (strategically), Pre-school, grammar school, high school, as well College ( so that they can continue the legacy of the family and it can trickle generation to generation) where as a " the bells" their social class consist of prestige/popularity.

       In conclusion I have addressed the many different types of social class depicted in :People Like Us" the stigma's and how social class varies from "culture to culture" its major theme within our society. People of many different social classes maintain what is their norms, values and beliefs, though some do stray and enter a different social just as the couple from Staten Island, Laura coming from wealth and her beau of a lower social class, though they are in love to be married you can still see the disparity that lurks within their relationship dynamic. It is said in this video "according to the American Dream everyone has a shot of moving up. I do agree with that statement, however for some it will be harder than others and almost unattainable for others due to the lack of resources and the depending on the social class one belongs (was born into) can influence ones outcome a great deal. Not to say one cannot, will not, we live in a world of who is to say especially with the norns, values, and beliefes changing.


       Cause of Death: Inequality by, Alejandro Reuss a article that addresses inequality within health related issues and its many factors as to why over all health inequality exsist within our social structure and once again racial inequality being the culprit to many deaths also known as "equal opportunity killers" targeting the poor people. Poor people (minorities) are striken and more likely than that of white people to have poor heath. Statistics for life expactancy for African American males and woman are shorter due to illness one is assumed to have during their life course; because they are poor,and  uneducated than that of white men/woman. Men  with 12 years of education are more than twice likely to die of chronic disease,  more than three times likely to die as a result of injury, and twice likely to die from communicable diseases. Woman with family incomes below $10,000 are more than three times likely to die of heart disease as well, three times likely to die from diabetes compared to those with incomes above $25,000. African Americans are more likely than whites to die of heart disease; stroke; lung cancer; prostate cancer; breast cancer; liver disease, and AIDS; homicide.  Ridiculous, If these are the statistics as stated, why are poor people (minorities) targeted in every area, especially Afro Americans? It is said that Americans are rich compared the poverty that lingers within other countires, and yes;" if we are talking in terms of material items" Americans are. I feel reson being, in other (some, locations vary from culture to culture)poor countires they are not exposed to the air pollution, junk foods, and means of unhealthyness as a whole that American poor people are exposed to. Many poor countires eat off the land, They eat produce such as nuts and berries, coconuts which is very healthy. I feel being they have little of these resources fasting is a very big part of their diet as well. (Of course I'm not referring to countries where sadly starvation and disease is on the rise) I see the dynamic in that. However I will like to know why in one of the richest countires in the world, there is such a lack of health care administered to all on a equal basis;  however in these same communities unhealthy foods/food chains is easily affordable and accessible, yet there is little to no healthcare and good healthcare at that. Once again its determined by social class, the haves and have nots, its actually an unjust to our country,it should be a breech of our consitituion rights.

       In conclusion I'm not denying these are prominent factors within society, I feel that maybe the blood pressure is higher for African Americans (minorities), not far fetched at all. African Americans are still being treated unfairly/unjust. Black men, and woman/minorities as a whole problaby have these illness due to the high levels of stressed placed upon them (by our government and society is structured) its a form of Opression at its finest. Of course individuals within poorer communities are going to experiance alcoholsim, smoking ciggeretts and maybe even commiting deviat acts, not saying that I agree, however I was always told that your Health comes 1st. How can we have a structured society with working indiviuals healthy and productive when the main tools they need in order to survive are scarce? The righer get richer and the poor get poorer. Modern day imperialism is winning and has been winning within America. I agree Inequality kills and starts at the bottom, and White American wants to keep it there. President Obama (Obama Care) is definately a start, providing people with equal healthcare provided regardless of social class.

        Chapter 9 addreses Class and Inequality, I feel I addressed the many forms of Classes and Global Inequality due to relative poverty as well as structual mobilty changes within our society. Further addressing classim and its life chances within these social classes.


                                                                                                     Merida Angelina~