Sabrina Distad

Humanities 1100 at 2:30

Journal entry- Diversity topic
I chose to write about the diversity of classes in society. I chose to
write about the separation of classes because I feel it is not one that is
typically thought of when diversity is brought to mind. In America, there are
the three most common classes, upper, middle and lower class. They are
typically decided based off of the term social class which is determined
mostly of people sharing a similar economical, educational or social status.
These three classes can also be broken down into smaller subcategories that
divide us even more. Amongst the other ways we are classified into
categories and subcategories, these classes are another way we are defined
and represented as people.
The upper class is the social class being composed of people who are
rich or wealthy, well-born, powerful or a combination of those. Typically,
they yield a high political power and in some countries alone, wealth is
enough to get you into the upper class. In others, entry is only gained by
being born or marrying into certain aristocratic bloodlines. The upper class
holds the highest percentage of wealth amongst the population. Members are
typically born into wealth and pass it from generation to generation usually
in the form of estates.
The middle class is the most contested of the classes. Members of this
class could also be called the working class or the white collar workers.
The middle class definition varies depending on what tables or guidelines
you reference. Typically it represents approximately the middle half of the
income distribution tables provided by the US census bureau. The middle
class constitutes anywhere from 25% to 66% of households. The American
middle class could also be divided into subgroups separating the upper 15%
to 20% into the upper middle class or the professional middle class. The
middle class is very influential. A lot of the voters, teachers, journalists,
members of the media and more are typically placed in the middle class. The
middle class is also commonly split into 2 other categories separating the
middle class earning between certain amounts per year; and the working

class up to a certain amount the low end of the middle class spectrum.
Below the working class would put you in lower class. Of course, these
averages vary depending on what source you reference.
The lower class, is the social class described as the low income class.
They are those who work low paying or minimum wage jobs and have very
little economic security. The lower class is often separated into subgroups of
those who are either employed but lacking financial security or those who
are long-term unemployed and/or homeless and especially those who are
receiving welfare or state assistance. Typically people whom fall into the
lower class are also described as people who cannot support themselves
solely off of their income.
To summarize, Along with the division of political views, racial
prejudice and gender inequalities, I believe that division of the classes is just
another way to separate us as people into little boxes that assist us in
forming an opinion of the other without having to make it on our own first.
An immediate judgement is placed on people based off of what class they
fall in and in reality, we have little to no control over the classes we find
ourselves placed in. The placement of these classes will determine the
schools that will be available to us, the jobs that will be offered to us, who
one is allowed to marry and even the treatment of one from the court and
police.