Gregory Mantsios Class In America Analysis

In "Class in America", Gregory Mantsios says that "when politicians and social commentators draw attention to the plight of the poor, they do so in a manner that obscures the class structure and denies any sense of exploitation." Based off our readings, class discussion and films, income inequality is known to be erased or ignore. Our society frowns upon the expression of income in our daily conversations, as it could be seen braggy or a complaint depending on your status of income. Because it's frowned upon to talk about, the topic of income inequality becomes erased or ignored. In addition, income inequality in America's class structure can affect people's ability to reach their American Dream.

In America, our society is categorized by the poor, working, middle, upper middle, or upper class. Majority of America today seems to be under the working to middle class. It's hard to tell what

class people fall under by looks. As Michael Harrington said, "America has the best dressed poverty the world has ever known" (56). This statement said by Michael Harrington describes America accurately because it is easy for our society to hide. One can easily wear designer brand items and they could be in the working to middle class. Stated by Gregory Mantsios, "American's, in general, don't like to talk about class" (53). This quote said by Gregory Mantsio is another example how income inequality is ignored. Society likes to avoid talking about their income. Informing others about their income can be seen as either bragging rights or a complaint. One with the lower income may treat the opposite person differently. With high income, you're seen as successful and superior; the lower the income, you're seen as poor or a failure. In the end, income can be seen as a competition to see who makes more than the other.
Another example of why income inequality is shunned away from society is due to stereotyping. Minorities or immigrants are seen to not have a high income, which may or may not be true. They were either born in the United States with immigrant parents, or they moved into the United States at a young age for better opportunities. "One of America's founding myths, of course, is that the simple act of leaving England and boldly starting new lives in the colonies had an equalizing effect in the colonists, swiftly narrowing the distance between indentured servants and merchant landowner, and clerk— all except the African slave" (Alec Macgillis, the Atlantic). This quote is an example of how those who are considered a minority is not privileged enough. They have to start all over again and their motivation is to strive and be successful, which is the American Dream.
A "Dream Foreclosed" by Laura Gottesdiener is another example of income inequality.

In this book, Gottesdiener writes about four different families and their challenges. These families deal with having their homes forcefully foreclosed by banks. Apart from that, African Americans were discriminated when purchasing homes, making it difficult for them to find a place. As Walt Whitman said, "a man is not a whole and complete man unless he owns a house and the ground it stands on" (35). This quote said by Whitman can be interpreted that homeownership is a way to show power and wealth. Due to the discrimination, the 1977 Community Reinvestment Act was created, which allowed loans to minorities to receive equal loans of the surrounding communities. This was specifically focused in the lower and moderate neighborhoods, but it failed due to redlining. Redlining was the act of categorizing specific areas of a neighborhood by racial conduct. For example, when a white is looking for a home, the relator shows them a map that avoids the low income area, which is typically of African

Americans.
The reality of income inequality in America's class structure affects some people's ability to reach their American Dream. In today's society, a common American Dream is to live a successful life, possibly in the middle to upper middle or even the upper class in America's class structure. The higher the income, the better, it seems. Though, it may seem impossible. With the income inequality, those born to a family of the poor to lower class can affect their motivations growing out of it. When born into a family with lower income, it can lead to less access of opportunity such as education or occupation. Education is one of the key factors to the American Dream. The higher the education, the better the job opportunities there is for an individual; it may be the same to those who have immigrated from one country to another. In conclusion, income inequality is shown to be ignored as a general whole, and can affect the American Dream.