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Miss Jessica
01-05-2007, 03:32 AM
I grew up lower class (food stamps, welfare the works) but have raised myself to middle class and strive to always move upward. :) I've already been to rock bottom, so going up was piece of cake. My grandmother is from England (she is the one who raised me), and came from a very privileged background but was cut off from the family funds after comming to the US. So she raised me in a very "upper class" manner, even though money wise we so were not up there. It's a miracle I got into Berkeley, after all the education recieved in Oakland public schools is horrible. She is still pissed I dropped out and kept dancing, saying I lowered my class doing so. But it just wasn't for me, I have other plans for my future that doesn't involve me acquiring a degree just to go work for someone else. I like to work for myself.

IsabellaRouma
01-05-2007, 03:04 PM
Upper Middle.

cinammonkisses
01-05-2007, 03:07 PM
say you have a pieces of corn on your plate, instead of stabbing one at a time you brush the food on your folk with your finger. lol;)

Or just tilt the plate towards your mouth and sweep the corn in your mouth with the fork. Heh, that's what I do :P

Bridgette
01-05-2007, 03:16 PM
I hate the word class. I hate when people use it in conversation, because most MISuse it. Ie, to say "I have class" is telling me you have no idea wtf you're talking about, AND that you actually LACK the "class" you think you have.

I also hate the system of classifying people according to their incomes or assets ::)
Money doesn't = personality. Some rich people will say that I only feel this way because I'm not rich. Nah, I feel this way because I prefer to judge people according to their personalities, not their $$.

Optimist
01-05-2007, 03:40 PM
^^^I feel the same way because I've seen some of the most underpaid jobs are the most amazing and admirable like teaching, childcare, law enforcement.... Those people have class regardless of their paycheck.

stripperMBA
01-05-2007, 10:05 PM
[Jay Zeno:: I would have to say I'm luckier than 99.9% of the people who have ever existed on this globe.Lower/middle/upper class? For the vast majority of us in First World countries, we got it good, period. Doesn't feel like it sometimes, of course, but we do. I've been broke, I've done OK, and through it all, I've always been able to scrounge up a roof and food. Life is good.[/QUOTE]
So true what is lower class here in the U.S.A is living very, very well in comparison to some of my poor Mexican relatives. I found oprah chart to not be very accurate though taking into account the cost of living in certain areas such the upper east coast or California.

Allice
01-06-2007, 12:44 PM
How does one “act black”? By acting “hood” or “ghetto”? By purposely using “incorrect” speech? That is an argument waiting to happen. My experience is people don’t act like their race, they act like their class. I grew up in one of the wealthiest black counties in the nation. I didn’t know many “hood” black kids. Most of our graduating class went to college (not an option in our community), and we don’t talk “hood”. I think you need to re-evaluate what you mean by saying someone is acting white or black, or better yet, what your concept of what a white/black/Hispanic/whatever person is. Please do that. The statement can be misinterpreted as offensive.

I was using stereotypes as an example, yes. I however wasn't trying to implicate that I believe that's what make someone who they are. I think you read way too much into what I said, but I can understand why you did. I was speaking of race more in terms of genetics/heritige and contrasting that with stereotypical behavior. Eg, yeah, it was a bad example...but ^ all of that above, was not meant to be implied.

Lastly, please don't speak to me in a condensending manner. I understand how and why you were upset, but I'm not an idiot and I have a firm grasp on reality.

cameronfl
01-06-2007, 01:16 PM
Grew up lower middle class..now firm middle class....working my way up!

Jenny
01-06-2007, 01:31 PM
I was raised very working class, and that is really how I identify although at this point both me and my parents are comfortably ensconsed in the middle class.

francescadubois
01-06-2007, 07:41 PM
I was using stereotypes as an example, yes. I however wasn't trying to implicate that I believe that's what make someone who they are. I think you read way too much into what I said, but I can understand why you did. I was speaking of race more in terms of genetics/heritige and contrasting that with stereotypical behavior. Eg, yeah, it was a bad example...but ^ all of that above, was not meant to be implied.

Lastly, please don't speak to me in a condensending manner. I understand how and why you were upset, but I'm not an idiot and I have a firm grasp on reality.

I edited my post several times as to NOT sound hypersensitive/condescending. I don't see where you would think I was talking down to you. I clearly stated that it could be "misinterpreted" as offensive. I made it my business to not sound hostile. Sorry if you interpreted it that way.

JennyDahl
01-06-2007, 08:00 PM
I saw that show awhile back and not burst anyone's bubble here but the way those people were talking ( like the waitress etc ) since we are strippers or involved in it in some they ( middle and upper middle and upper ) would consider us low class , low on the totem pole trash . Even though most us raise in a time of better economy and came from a better life than those who judge us . The show was really depressing , it reminded me of what a better life I had back in the 90's living with the family . I am pretty sure we were upper middle class , we lived adjacent to a upper upper class neighborhood . My family worked for it though .

Optimist
01-06-2007, 09:44 PM
^^^^^That is soo true. I found it pretty offensive. What's the most stupid is that "old money" is held up as the ultimate class. But to be old money you have to be born in it. That class level doesn't come through any virtue-just happenstance and long-time protectionist industry policies. The audience, or at least Oprah, holds them up as beacons for us all. Yet that mindset produces the Paris Hiltons and George Bushs of the world who wouldn't know hard work if it bit 'em on the ass.

Is mindless consumption for your kids and paranoia of paying your workers well when your company reaches insane profitablility a laudable thing? I'd rather be new money like Bill Gates and give the people who built the empire a stake in the empire. I'd create foundations to change our world for the better. I'd live up to the Christian ideals the far right pretends to have. My apologies to those who may howl that I'm being poo-ish.

Jenny
01-06-2007, 09:47 PM
^^^^^That is soo true. I found it pretty offensive. What's the most stupid is that "old money" is held up as the ultimate class. But to be old money you have to be born in it. That class level doesn't come through any virtue-just happenstance and protectionist industry policies. So the audience, or at least Oprah, holds them up yet that mindset produces the Paris Hiltons and George Bushs of the world who wouldn't know hard work if it bit 'em on the ass. Is mindless consumption and paranoia of paying your workers when your company is insanely profitable a laudable thing? I'd rather be new money like Bill Gates and give the people who built the empire a stake in the empire. I'd create foundations to change our world for the better. I'd live upto the Christian ideals the far right pretends to have. My apologies to those who may howl that I'm being poo-ish.
Yeah, but again you're taking, I think, the wrong understanding of the word "class" - you can discuss socio-economic class without making moral or character judgments on the people in the classes. Middle class doesn't mean that you are a person with average morals, and "low class" or "working class" does not mean a person with bad character or low morals. It is strictly an understanding of that person's standing in a socio-economic scale.

Optimist
01-06-2007, 09:51 PM
That was a part of the show. The audience was wailing on people for nail length and color, what kind of car they drive, etc. It was kinda nutty. One woman swore she could guess your "class" by how bright your makeup is. They were bouncing back and forth between the two meanings of class.

The OP asked what class meant to us. When that poster commented specifically on the Oprah show I was happy to add my two cents because the audience was so harsh and petty in their judgements. So, I shared what it means and doesn't mean to me. If the lady said she didn't like the long nails that would be one thing but to say "I know that person has NO class!":O She gave me a dubya tee eff moment.

leilanicandy
01-06-2007, 10:22 PM
Yeah, but again you're taking, I think, the wrong understanding of the word "class" - you can discuss socio-economic class without making moral or character judgments on the people in the classes. Middle class doesn't mean that you are a person with average morals, and "low class" or "working class" does not mean a person with bad character or low morals. It is strictly an understanding of that person's standing in a socio-economic scale.



http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/class

This way we can relate to the meaning of class. By one meaning, about the word class.

Gynger
01-06-2007, 10:25 PM
I could care less what the "Class" is of someone. Stereo-typing is not my cup of tea. I have met people who have loads of money and are assholes, I've met those who are the most simplest people who have loads of money and you'd never know it, I've been in churches where people judge eachother worse than a person who doesn't believe in God, and I've seen homeless people give to children who have nothing of their own.. I've met women who are self centered, beautiful and ugly... I've met men who are drop dead gorgeous and idiots.. and I've met men and women who are beautiful inside and out.

Class means nothing to me. I care only about what a person is- who they are, and what they stand for. I prefer people who value others, value other people's belongings and opinions, and accept people for who they are and not "what" they are.

IN closing to this, please keep in mind that:

America has the richest poor people the world.. and, we are the most wasteful.

Jenny
01-06-2007, 10:29 PM
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/class

This way we can relate to the meaning of class. By one meaning, about the word class.
Well, except for that link tells us that merriam webster has 6 definitions for class, as a noun, not including sub definitions.

leilanicandy
01-06-2007, 10:32 PM
I could care less what the "Class" is of someone. Stereo-typing is not my cup of tea. I have met people who have loads of money and are assholes, I've met those who are the most simplest people who have loads of money and you'd never know it, I've been in churches where people judge eachother worse than a person who doesn't believe in God, and I've seen homeless people give to children who have nothing of their own.. I've met women who are self centered, beautiful and ugly... I've met men who are drop dead gorgeous and idiots.. and I've met men and women who are beautiful inside and out.

Class means nothing to me. I care only about what a person is- who they are, and what they stand for. I prefer people who value others, value other people's belongings and opinions, and accept people for who they are and not "what" they are.


Thats how I feel, yet this is becoming a big promblem. In the US because of the big gap from Rich to poor. It is becoming the new racisim. So many people have differant views about what class is and how is affecting our society. I started this thread to see if what Oprah was saying about, how people view themseleves and other are true.

leilanicandy
01-06-2007, 10:34 PM
Well, except for that link tells us that merriam webster has 6 definitions for class, as a noun, not including sub definitions.


Well you are open to find a better defintion of the word. I just wanted us all to relate to one meaning of the word class.

kikiwiki
01-06-2007, 10:41 PM
I'm considered lower class from where I come from to where I am today. But if you judge me on the person that I am today, I'm High class! Even better, I'm in a class all by myself! Take that Oprah!

PS. Do you think Tyra is Oprah's long lost daughter???lol

Gynger
01-06-2007, 10:42 PM
Thats how I feel, yet this is becoming a big promblem. In the US because of the big gap from Rich to poor. It is becoming the new racisim. So me people have differant views about what class is and how is affecting our society. I started this thread to see if what Oprah was saying about, how people view themseleves and other are true.


My daughter was recently told by a class mate, "you won't help me with my math because you are white."
Have that come home to you in the form of a child who has been raised that color/race/class does not matter! I'm bringing this up to prove a point here... I know I'm bringing race to the table here.....

You are correct. "Class" (whatever the hell that is because I do not believe in it whatsoever), is becoming the new racisim. This classmate of my daughter's told her this because he views her as being "rich" because she is clean, well dressed and has two sets of parents... and he does not.

I went directly to the parent of this child who said this to my daughter, merely because I wanted to know why this student would say this to her.. and I got an answer. The student has a single mom who struggles with everything, and is too proud to ask for help.. her son is biracial... his uncles told him that he will never be like other kids... and also told him that he goes to a "rich school"..

My daughter goes to a public school... one in a good neighborhood... one that has all types of children attending... however, this little boy is one of a very few that are bi racial.

My daughter helped him with his math... but she told him that he was wrong to assume she wouldn't help him because she was white.. she told him that she did not know he needed help (she is an assigned tutor in her math class).

It is up to us to raise the next generation of adults.. my child will not ever be a child who stereo-types.(at least I hope so). I have raised her otherwise, I have done my job to educate her on the differences of cultures and that everyone has their own "look" and just because someone's skin color is different does not mean that the blood that flows through their veins is different also.. we are all the same underneath... we just bring variety to the table of life...


BTW- the single mom of this little boy, has gotten her son a "big brother" through the big brothers/big sisters program...