Class In America Gregory Mantsios

The word “class” is rarely used in America, the reason for that might be because of our history of class being clearly shown. Though today’s current media will not talk about class in the sense of upper or lower, it is perfectly acceptable to use the term “middle class”. The myth of American being a classless society has been a popular one. Gregory Mantsios in his essay “Class in America—2009” and Diana Kendall in her essay “Framing Class, Vicarious Living, and Conspicuous Consumption” demonstrate the ignorance by choice of some Americans who refuse to acknowledge their class, whether they are part of the “working class” or “upper class”; the refusal to see class difference goes both ways. Class in America is still relevant in how we live

Martin’s. Mantsios talks about how class is not a word Americans would use to describe out society. It is not used in our everyday language nor is it acknowledged. Our society does not use terms like “working class”, “upper class”, or “ruling class”. Rather than the people in the lower or working class identifying with their correct class, they refer to their ethnicities or geographic location. The people in the upper class refuse to use the term; instead they refer to themselves as those who are well born. Class is also not discussed in because class identity has been removed from popular culture. Mantsios discusses four American myths on class; 1. The United States is a classless society and no matter how much you make we are all equal in the eyes of the law. We all have easy and equal access to basic needs like education and health care. 2. We are all just a middle class nation. 3. We are all getting wealthier and moving up on the economic scale. 4. Everyone has an equal chance to succeed; all they need is determination, along with being at the right place at the right time. Mantsios then discusses the realities of these myths; 1. There is a huge difference in the economic standpoint with American citizens. 2. The middle class is a small portion of the nation and is indeed beginning to deteriorate. 3. There are extreme class differences in the life-styles of Americans. 4. The class standing

I agree with both of the authors, because I grew up with many different people of different classes. I had friends who were part of families who struggled to make ends meet every month and I had friends who were born into a wealthy family who were better off. As I get older I notice class differences in everyday life. The gap between the upper class and working class is undeniable to me. Mantsios and Kendall agree with each other because they both touch on the issue of class. Kendall focuses on the media and its issues with class and Mantsios focuses on the different lifestyles of those in the upper, middle, and working class. They both address class in different ways, but they both deliver the message of America not being a classless society. Both authors make effective arguments by using facts as their evidence. For example, Mantsios writes “the wealthiest 1 percent of the American population holds 34 percent of the total national wealth” (Mantsios 284). Kendall uses examples like popular TV shows as clear examples like The Simple Life to get her point across. Overall they make effective arguments because their sources are cited in their essays and they are easily accessible to the