Race In America

The Impact that Race and Class has on Wealth
America is a place of potential opportunity and success. There is a possibility of prosperity for everyone, no matter one’s race, social class, or ethnicity. However, success is more easily achievable for white Americans. People of color in America have struggled for centuries with housing, jobs and education all due to their race. Even though it is not just, white Americans have had the upper hand simply because of their skin color. In today’s society, race, and social class both play a major role in attaining wealth. Donald Trump is the perfect example of a version of the American Dream. He grew up with family money and had always been supported. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania’s

To no one’s surprise, most Americans are aware that education is a necessity in life. Not only does it allow one to further their knowledge, but it can offer freedom from anything holding them back, like poverty. A bar graph statistic from the Congressional Budget Office found that people with their Master’s degree between ages of 45-54 years old make $130,000, whereas high school graduates between the same ages only make about $70,000 (Dent). Even though America offers some of the best education in the world, many do not realize the impact that social class has on one’s education. Whereas most other nations fund their schools equally, America spends much more on the more affluent districts. For example, “the wealthiest 10 percent of U.S. school districts spend nearly 10 times more than the poorest 10 percent, and spending ratios of 3 to 1 are common within states” (Darling-Hammond). In wealthier, suburban areas, most students have the resources available to benefit their educational needs, including; projectors, computers, and calculators. In contrast, “at MacKenzie High School in Detroit, word processing courses are taught without word processors because the school cannot afford them” (Darling-Hammond). For students coming out of lower income communities, it is more difficult for them to attend college, or excel because of the lack of academic preparation. Now not only are many Americans not getting a good education, but as a

While there are many factors that add up to the gap between the rich and the poor, education certainly plays a major role. Today, it is likely that if you do not graduate from a bachelor’s-degree program, it will be much more difficult to find a high paying job. Higher education is also considered one the most beneficial ways to get out of poverty. Not only is college important for becoming wealthy, but it also affects the country's success. Laura Perna, the executive director of AHEAD, states that, “Society also benefits when more individuals complete higher levels of education. When college attainment improves, the tax base increases, reliance on social welfare programs declines, and civic and political engagement increases” (White). Even though it may seem obvious, in most cases it truly is very important to have a degree to be able to become successful. Despite some arguing against this, it comes down to the basics. A degree from higher education automatically gives that person an advantage in life. Whether it helps with job applications, housing, or just relief from worrying about money, an education is not just beneficial but becoming almost a necessity. A recent study from the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education found that, “In 2013, Americans in the highest-income bracket, defined as those households that made over $108,650 in 2012, were more than eight