Political Parties?

[adpimiz]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I used to be a Libertarian, because I thought government should stay out of stuff and everyone should do things on their own. Then I came to terms with my own privilege as a white woman from an upper-class background, and realized it is total nonsense to pretend that I am where I am through hard work or my own brilliance.

I come from the same background, and I have worked extremely hard throughout my life and will continue to do so. My background by no means determines how successful I will be. If I get to where I hope to in my career, it will be because of hard work, not because I lived off my upper class parents.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by adpimiz

I come from the same background, and I have worked extremely hard throughout my life and will continue to do so. My background by no means determines how successful I will be. If I get to where I hope to in my career, it will be because of hard work, not because I lived off my upper class parents.

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/05/1...ting-there-is/

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

http://whatever.scalzi.com/2012/05/1...ting-there-is/

Interesting article.

Regarding political parties - I'm just looking forward to Tuesday being over so I don't have Republican/Democrat mud-slinging shoved down my throat during every commercial.

[alum]

Originally Posted by APhi4Ever

I agree! I live in a swing state and I've never seen so many commercials in one day! I am Republican and voted as such.

Ditto with the phone calls. I decided about a week ago that everything was going to voicemail.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by adpimiz

I come from the same background, and I have worked extremely hard throughout my life and will continue to do so. My background by no means determines how successful I will be. If I get to where I hope to in my career, it will be because of hard work, not because I lived off my upper class parents.

It's not about living off of your upper class parents or denying that anyone has worked hard to earn what they have. It's about recognizing that that upper class background can provide advantages not available to everyone and possibly open doors not open to everyone.

[adpimiz]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

It's not about living off of your upper class parents or denying that anyone has worked hard to earn what they have. It's about recognizing that that upper class background can provide advantages not available to everyone and possibly open doors not open to everyone.

That's not necessarily true.

[thewasher418]

Originally Posted by adpimiz

That's not necessarily true.

It's not always true, but think about it this way. Kid A comes from a single parent household, Mom has a high school diploma only and works at Family Dollar. Kid B grew up in a house with a lawyer mom and a doctor dad. Both kids can, through hard work, ace the SATs, make straight As and get into a great college, right? Right!

But Kid A didn't grow up in an environment where it's common knowledge that you should take the PSAT, study for the SAT and take it early. Let alone an environment where it's common knowledge that SAT tutors/courses are available. Kid A has not been exposed to professionals in social circles, and those differences in social norms stick out like a sore thumb in an interview situation. I could go on, but I don't want to write a novel.

I'm not much for entitlements but can you at least acknowledge that difference?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by adpimiz

That's not necessarily true.

You did note that I said "can" and "possibly"?

That said, I think it's fairly rare that it's not true, at least to some extent. And frankly, I think it's fairly common for people from more advantaged backgrounds not to realize, at least for a long time, just how much difference that background may have made.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

It's not about living off of your upper class parents or denying that anyone has worked hard to earn what they have. It's about recognizing that that upper class background can provide advantages not available to everyone and possibly open doors not open to everyone.

Originally Posted by MysticCat

You did note that I said "can" and "possibly"?

That said, I think it's fairly rare that it's not true, at least to some extent. And frankly, I think it's fairly common for people from more advantaged backgrounds not to realize, at least for a long time, just how much difference that background may have made.

I agree with all of this. And it can even be extended to prenatal care while your mom was pregnant with you, having more nutritious foods available to you making you healthier, living in areas where you don't lose sleep at night because of the gun shots in the streets, and being warm because the heat and electricity are on.