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In some countries ethnicity is more important than money. In Canada a non-White single man cannot enter a nightclub. In Sweden an Arab doctor doesn't enjoy the same status as an White drug addict on well-fare.
But is it different in the US? You got Black people in gated communities, and White people living in trailer parks.
Does ethnicity or money have the highest impact on your social status?
Does a Black man in a 2 000 dollar suite have a bigger chance to enter a night club than a White man in a jump suit?
It's a hard question to answer... In the US, race and socio-economic status are inter-twined due to unfortunate historical trends that have kept generational poverty cycles alive. This means that many people wrongly associate lower socio-economic status with minorities. In fact one of the most infuriating things I always hear, is a white person will say "that black person is ok because they are acting white." While admittingly there are some cultural differnces amongst all races, you can't "act white." What these ignorant people are inferring is that when an african-american is well-spoken and intellegent, then they are ok with their race. What they usually don't realize, is that this african american person is most likely from a higher socio-economic background - so people are confusing race with class.
Another example... I taught in a Chicago Public high school that was VERY diverse - (25% white, 25% AA, 25% hispanic/latino, 25% asian; and 50% richest kids in the city and 50% poorest). The tensions amongst students groups was NOT race, but class. Even the more affluent african american students connected with the affluent white kids, and looked down on the poor black students.
So again, your question is hard to answer becuase there are many things to consider. Are there people that are just flat out racist and are going to dislike someone no matter what their skin color - of course. But I think if wealth was magically distributed equally amongst all races overnight, you would see a lot more discrimination by socioeconomic status instead of race. It's just that in much of America's history, those two divisions have unfortunately gone hand-in-hand...confusing racism with classism (not that either is "better")
In some countries ethnicity is more important than money. In Canada a non-White single man cannot enter a nightclub. In Sweden an Arab doctor doesn't enjoy the same status as an White drug addict on well-fare.
But is it different in the US? You got Black people in gated communities, and White people living in trailer parks.
Does ethnicity or money have the highest impact on your social status?
Does a Black man in a 2 000 dollar suite have a bigger chance to enter a night club than a White man in a jump suit?
It's a hard question to answer... In the US, race and socio-economic status are inter-twined due to unfortunate historical trends that have kept generational poverty cycles alive. This means that many people wrongly associate lower socio-economic status with minorities. In fact one of the most infuriating things I always hear, is a white person will say "that black person is ok because they are acting white." While admittingly there are some cultural differnces amongst all races, you can't "act white." What these ignorant people are inferring is that when an african-american is well-spoken and intellegent, then they are ok with their race. What they usually don't realize, is that this african american person is most likely from a higher socio-economic background - so people are confusing race with class.
Another example... I taught in a Chicago Public high school that was VERY diverse - (25% white, 25% AA, 25% hispanic/latino, 25% asian; and 50% richest kids in the city and 50% poorest). The tensions amongst students groups was NOT race, but class. Even the more affluent african american students connected with the affluent white kids, and looked down on the poor black students.
So again, your question is hard to answer becuase there are many things to consider. Are there people that are just flat out racist and are going to dislike someone no matter what their skin color - of course. But I think if wealth was magically distributed equally amongst all races overnight, you would see a lot more discrimination by socioeconomic status instead of race. It's just that in much of America's history, those two divisions have unfortunately gone hand-in-hand...confusing racism with classism (not that either is "better")
I tend to agree in most circumstances. I grew up in a similar environment in the south. Kids seemed to gravitate towards others from the same class as them. The same is true on the street too.
It's a hard question to answer... In the US, race and socio-economic status are inter-twined due to unfortunate historical trends that have kept generational poverty cycles alive. This means that many people wrongly associate lower socio-economic status with minorities. In fact one of the most infuriating things I always hear, is a white person will say "that black person is ok because they are acting white." While admittingly there are some cultural differnces amongst all races, you can't "act white." What these ignorant people are inferring is that when an african-american is well-spoken and intellegent, then they are ok with their race. What they usually don't realize, is that this african american person is most likely from a higher socio-economic background - so people are confusing race with class.
Another example... I taught in a Chicago Public high school that was VERY diverse - (25% white, 25% AA, 25% hispanic/latino, 25% asian; and 50% richest kids in the city and 50% poorest). The tensions amongst students groups was NOT race, but class. Even the more affluent african american students connected with the affluent white kids, and looked down on the poor black students.
So again, your question is hard to answer becuase there are many things to consider. Are there people that are just flat out racist and are going to dislike someone no matter what their skin color - of course. But I think if wealth was magically distributed equally amongst all races overnight, you would see a lot more discrimination by socioeconomic status instead of race. It's just that in much of America's history, those two divisions have unfortunately gone hand-in-hand...confusing racism with classism (not that either is "better")
Intressting. I have noticed something, I have a theory. In societies where the gap between rich and poor is small, and there's a strong and big middle class. Elitism tend to focus on race.
Intressting. I have noticed something, I have a theory. In societies where the gap between rich and poor is small, and there's a strong and big middle class. Elitism tend to focus on race.
Depends where. It's not that easy to answer. In a bigger city, north, south, east, or west, at a regular establishment, it is probably even. In a more rural area, where people aren't used to diversity, likely not.
But also in a big city you have private country clubs that may exclude African Americans.
In more rural areas and smaller metro areas, I've noticed things to be more race based regardless of wealth. Sides of town are still drawn and people tend to hang with people of the same ethnicity.
In bigger cities, that was the case until the 1980s. Now I think more people have friends of all different backgrounds and people don't really pay attention to ethnicity any more. It's more to do with socioeconomic status.
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