Deviance and Classism in America

So far this unit we have learned about deviance (violating social norms) and social class.

An example of deviance would be from the article called "Saints and Roughnecks" about rich kids who misbehaved and they were much less likely to get jail time or really in trouble called the "Saints," versus poor kids who caused the same trouble but were punished much more harshly because they're poor called the "Roughnecks." This shows that rich people can get out of trouble using bribery and getting a good lawyer, while also saying poor people are screwed. It should also be noted exactly WHAT crimes are mostly committed by different social classes. The rich are mostly stealing money, polluting the environment, and violating health regulations established by the FDA. Yet these horrible crimes get them few years in jail IF ANY at all! But the poor are doing mostly petty crimes like shoplifting clothes, tobacco products, or alcohol. Sometimes they have to steal just to get by. But they're punished much much harsher.

We also watched a movie called "The Line" on how poor people live dangerously close to the poverty line. It should be pointed out that being poor is expensive. They can't afford health insurance or good cars, so one medical bill or one broken car part can put them into poverty. The government services and food pantries do their best but they just can't do enough. Why the hell are the republicans cutting food stamps, WIC, and other helping services when more and more people are struggling to get by? It's INFURIATING! It makes me SO ANGRY that in the world's richest country so many struggle to get by!

Of course, I'm upper middle class/rich, so I realize that I'm no expert on poverty. I've never worried about where my next meal is coming from or had to wonder if I should quit school to help feed the family. I'm lucky. I'm privileged and I know it. But both my parents grew up poor. They taught me about poverty, and I've volunteered at a food pantry, I've seen homeless people. I know I live in the bubble. But I also know I have the power to change it. And boy will I fight the system.

My mom is the principal at a school in Mt. Prospect that has mostly poor children of color. Before she came to the school, the poor children were never even TOLD that college was an option. But since she came along, she's been pushing the school to teach all the kids that college is an option (where do you think I got my stubbornness and pushiness from?).

Let's not forget which races are trapped in poverty overwhelmingly. That would be POC, especially black women. Centuries upon centuries of institutionalized racism has kept them from education and other tools that could help launch them out of poverty. And society sees them as "welfare queens" who contribute nothing to society. But that's a bunch of racist malarky. The REAL "welfare queens" are the scumbag corporations that force us taxpayers to subsidize their starvation wages and take care of their employees' hospital bills. That's why I hate capitalism. Nothing good can possibly come from having wealth in only a few hands, poor wages, bad health care, polluted environment, etc. That's why socialism would be a much better choice.

I've very happy that several states (Washington and Hawaii off the top of my head) are pushing their minimum wages up more, and especially happy with Seattle for it's $15 minimum wage! Hopefully the rest of the country will follow in it's footsteps.

If you don't believe that people deserve an equal chance to succeed, then get out of the way or you'll be squashed by my steamroller. Change is coming and you better get with the program because you can't stop me.