James Hannaham’s “Fantasies in Black and White” (Salon.com, 11/28/07) shines a light on the state of class-related discrimination in America today. While the nation used to focus its angst by equating race with all under-achievement, it seems we have now entered an age in which poor = lazy. Hannaham does a good job of making the case that institutional conditions make it more difficult for the poor to achieve at the same levels as the middle and upper class. Certainly not every kid in the ghetto can get to Harvard with some gumption; certainly not every suburban kid has a trust fund to dip into. Still, we are suffering some collective denial if we think a color-blind world is all it will take to ensure everyone has the opportunity to pursue the American Dream.
-Lonny Stern | Communications and Outreach Director
Recent Comments