The Inspiration Came

Well, when I last spoke with you I was obviously at a loss for words, and kindly asked for suggestions in the field of something to talk about. Naturally, you readers provided me with an abundance of choices. One kind suggestion was that I actually write about something happy. I gave this some thought, and was really all set on doing an entry on how I think the stars are God’s daisy chain, but I just don’t think I can manage it. I promise eventually I’ll do a bit on the colors of the rainbow though, honest.

Other suggestions varied from talking about people who I am not speaking to or discussing the class structure of society. Obviously, speaking of someone who I am not currently speaking to is a completely bad idea, and I’m doing myself a disservice by even talking of them now. There are some things in life that are just unforgivable and once you’ve done them, well, you just can’t be forgiven and that is that. Ending a great diary and then saying that you may start it back is a bit like wrenching someone’s heart out and saying that you may put it back sometime soon. Obviously, it’s not something that can cheerily be let go, but I’m going to move on for now.

Which leads me to my last alternative, the class structure of America. Now, here is a topic that I could write on for days and still not do it justice, so it’s really quite unfair to ramble on it for a few paragraphs and drop it, but then, I’ve never claimed to be a fair person. So, onwards we go.

That most Americans realize they live in a very distinct class system is doubtful and that many care is more so. Still, although the class system is greatly reduced from the incredibly large role it played in most ancient (and not so ancient) societies, it is still very present in the modern world. I argue that it will exist for as long as humans are around.

Currently, with the “we’re all created equal” movement that the United States has experienced, many are likely to reject that such a thing as class structures still exist. However, the “we’re all created equal” bit is really a misnomer since the general belief is more in the “we all have equal opportunities” range which, although still not entirely true, is certainly closer to truth than the first statement. Frankly, although many spout that we are all created equal, few, if any, believe it.  I maintain that the more accepted theory is that we all have an equal opportunity of achieving success and how far you go with it is really up to you. This theory is not complete hogwash, but it does have a tinge of hogwash in it. The wealthy man still doubtlessly holds an advantage over the poor man and to say that they both have an equal opportunity for success is misleading. However, it is also a bit unfair to complain, since our current system provides a better opportunity for the poor man to move up the societal chain than in history.

In the past, the rich families were the upper class, the in-between families were the middle class and the poor families were the low class. Someone in a lower class would not be able to move up, because it was generally accepted that the upper classes were ordained by God and God didn’t do things by mistake. If God had wanted you to be in the upper class, well, he would have had you born there, wouldn’t he? It seemed like a good idea at the time, and it actually worked remarkably well. The middle class knew their place, the poor knew theirs, everyone did there job and great efficiency was achieved. In fact, although the lower classes are now looked back upon with forlorn eyes, they were really quite satisfied with their role in society. They were the low class and that was that. They idolized the upper class, but if one would have asked them “What would you do if you were in the upper class?” they would have responded with complete incomprehension. There was no way they could be upper class, they were lower class and were meant to serve in that class until their demise.

Society would have remained this way forever were it not for technological advances and the rise of the merchant class. However, there were technological advances, the merchant class rose, and, well, here we are. Today, it is no longer accepted that one can not move up in societal rank. You can be anything you want to be is the anthem of the day, and from a class structure standpoint this is very true. However, the question now surfaces, why are there still class structures anyway? Why not stop the whole equal opportunity thing and just make everyone truly equal, destroying societal boundaries.

The answer to this is tricky, and I don’t know that I can provide it, but I do think I can say that this not going to happen. There seems to be a very deep need in human nature for a societal chain of sorts, even for those who are not on the top of it. In fact, the vast majority of us humans are very subordinate: We want to be led by someone else. Although a societal chain is no longer needed for efficient production, we create one anyway. Even in cases when there is absolutely no need whatsoever for societal positions, we create them. What purpose does a class president serve? How about the prom king? The purpose is completely absent, yet society still feels a great need to place someone in the position of leader for the rest of us to be subservient to.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt”>Of course, when most people speak of class systems they are speaking from a purely economic standpoint and may reject my prom king example as quite silly. However, the principle remains true: We need leaders to tell us what to do and if that means they end up a bit better off because of it, then so be it. If this is rational is arguable, that it is true is not.

I started the entry by saying that few are aware of the rigid class society that they live in, but that may not be entirely true. Most are certainly aware to a degree of what class they are in, but regardless of the class they don’t really seem to care. Once the poor understand that they are the poor and the lower class, they just accept it and go on living their lives once more. This is why there is no outrage over the class structure, because the attitude is, “Well, yes, I’m the lower class, but that’s how it’s supposed to be isn’t it?”

I conclude this diary hardly touching the surface of this subject. From the length you’ve probably guessed that it’s quite fascinating to me, and I’m quite sorry if I’ve bored you anymore than you obviously already were when you resorted to reading my diary. I think the final conclusion I want to make is that, perhaps we should not cry foul about the rigid class structure we live in as much. The majority of us are far more accepting of it than you think.