1. Describe your initial reaction to the concepts in the video.

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     At the age of 56 I am used to a baseline of marginal horror. Having lived in the Netherlands I have experienced Socialist culture, and can expressly say that America is not prepared for it, particularly the spoiled types that crave it. Giving 70% of income to taxes and surrendering personal space is idyllic until reality sets in. Every Dutch person I consulted said they would abdicate in favor of the US for the spoils of our free market culture, wealth gap be damned.

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2. Did any of the information in the video surprise you? Why or why not?

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     Seeing the 1% graphic was an arresting visual, but not something taking me unawares. I recall the benign-yet-pointless "Occupy" movement and the finger-wagging at the 99% for allowing it. Kanye's fall for pointing to the 80% ownership of Earth's gold by Jewish men came to mind. He lived in an industry glommed onto Black talent creating millionaires by Zionist billionaires. This is not anti semitic if the numbers support it. It's not owned by ALL descendants of Abraham, likely a declaration of accuracy. Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears, a Black Female who recently lost the Gubernatorial race pointed to the issue of Black on Asian violence its not racism, but data that has to be assessed and attacked. Likewise, this situation. Education of the components without emotional but pragmatic responses can work.

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3. Discuss how a persons social class (also referred to as socioeconomic status) can affect his or her chances of success.

 

     In my seventh grade English class, our principal interrupted to extol the virtues of The Preppie Handbook and Dress For Success. He told the classroom we'd never get ahead in life without proper clothes. There sat kids whose homes were shanties without power or running water. From then, the sweet children of Lone Oak Middle School divided into "Preppies" and "Scum". I had meltdowns over not having Izod shirts. Status and class are indelible features of esteem in America.

     A Black man in a Rolex anywhere in America will be treated better by and large that a White one in rags. I cannot decide if that's progress.

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INSTRUCTOR'S COMMENTS: " I too never cared for the whole politics of respectability. I'm not sure about your class with the Rolex. I had my diamond watch on at the store the other day. I was waiting at the self check out for age verification and some one asked me to go behind the counter and get them some cigarettes as if I worked there. However, I can see that claim work in much larger urban centers."

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