We can't ALL be the middle class.

We can't ALL be middle class. That defeats the purpose of being *middle* class. Yet almost all americans when asked will say they are middle class, weather they are the upper crust of american society or below the poverty line. And truth be told, a true middle class is shrinking, almost out of existence.

The saying "the rich get rich and the poor get poorer" has never been more true. So why is it that everyone believes that they can transcend class lines? How is it that we believe that our place in society is given to us by our own efforts?

Because it is possible.

When, in class, we did an activity to give context to the breakdown of land and wealth in our country (via cookies) I was in the lowest of the lower class group: the ones with the least. yet, I stood firmly with both feet in my place, and actually ended up with 4 cookies to myself. Through grabbing at every opportunity possible, biding my time, and thinking, I got more than...a good portion of my other classmates. So, theoretically, the same principle can be extended to the real world: with patience, eagerness, and intelligence, you can rise the classes, or, with out these, fall down. This is not a caste system, where we are born into a place and are just...there, forever. It is possible to move up or down depending on your own merit.

But that's all. It's possible. But not likely.

Look at those people living in the mountains of Kentucky. The boy who played football had a chance to come out based solely on merit. But because of where he lived, and what he had, he couldn't. The people there are not there because they chose it, it is because that is where they were born, and where they stayed. While people in America are not socially obliged to stay in there classes like those in caste systems, they usually do because of the limited options available to them.

That is the problem with our sociological system, and most social hierarchies like ours. It in theory works, and therefore people says it works, but in actuality, it only rarely works. Those who are on the top believe they have gotten there from their own doing, when, usually, it's because they were born with privilege,  and those on the bottom have accepted their fate, like the untouchables in India, and believe that no matter how hard they try they can't get out of it, and so many don't try.

I think, like most things in this world, compromise is necessary. We have the right idea, but we are not there yet. The top need humbling, the bottom need hope, because the people in the middle, are probably one or the other.

Time Warp

Lets go back in time. Long ago, when I was but a young girl, staying home from school sick. I didn't get to watch T.V. unless I was sick, or movies, except for one on Sunday, or, again, if i was sick. But like all the other little girls, I loved Disney movies. I remember I would climb on the backs of the chairs in the living room and pretend to be rafiki from the Lion king. I never thought of the movies I watched as something that effected my views of myself: There was a girl on TV who was skinny and blond and that's great for her, because she ended up finding true love. That's what it was all about: Finding true love, even though you don't realize it.
Since then, I have realized a lot of parallels in the way Disney portrays it's heroes and heroines, and several of the blogs we read were about the potential connection between the "messages" in these disney movies and the way girls view themselves (and men) in today's society. They pointed out that many of the princesses were perceived as sexual idols and completely defenseless. That the messages these movies portray were that woman should just ride off with the first prince charming that fancies her, and that their salvation rested in there sexuality. They talked about how some of the themes were...let's say, not quite on point. "Advice from Disney Princesses: He's only lying about who he is because he thinks you're shallow and superficial. love him for it!" And this blog makes a point. There are some negative messages in some disney movies.

however. I think this is an extremely cynical way to look at these movies.
What about Mulan? Let's be honest, she was my favorite, and much more my role model than sleeping beauty.

And Mulan? Was anything but what society views a woman to be. She was strong, powerful, stood up to for what she believed in, and things she cared about (her family and it's honor). She Defied the law of the land to protect things she felt were important. Defiant, strong minded, passionate. And she looked beautiful while doing it. I think that's a pretty darned good role model. Not to mention how it portrays the male lead.

                                                                   This guy.

Yes, he is Big, strong, and manly. And he get's his butt saved by this chick.

Or what about Pocahontas?

Again, she defies what society tells her is appropriate (Marrying Kocomo), and ends up saving this guy, just by standing up and speaking out. She teaches the man (John Smith) all this really cool stuff about connection to nature, and not being so materialistic, and love, and changes his life. She is connected to all that's around her and respects all things. Again, I think that's a pretty good role model. Not to mention, is ACTUALLY a princess.

I don't know anyone who didn't like Mulan, or Pochahontas. And I personally thought that the girls in other disney movies were boring, and I didn't really like them that much.

The point of all this.

Media is blamed constantly for onslaughting young girls of what they should be and what they should look like.That advertisement agencies and movie stars should be blamed for all these young girls self image problems. And some of that is true. Being shown "perfect" people probably does have some impact on the way we view ourselves. But It's not there fault girls feel self contentious. Girls have had body image problems for long before the advertisement industry was even started. Remember corsets so tight they made people pass out? or the Chinese shoes that made feet smaller and led to lots of leg and feet problems. And young girls, at least from my perspective, I never looked at Disney stereotypes or billboard ads and thought "Wow, that must be how all girls should look. I should try and emulate that! I want to be just like her!" Girls like powerful woman: That's why they like Mom. I think people are blaming Disney and advertisements for things that would happen with or without there influence. Yes, they have some negative messaging.  But that self esteem issue comes from girls - being girls.