Well its Thursday night, I didn't work out today... I didn't do much of anything today. But what I did do was finish my english paper that I've been putting off all week. I think I'll post it here so following the things I want to talk about here will be my english paper. Its nothing special, I kind of like it but I'm a little biased. If you have any comments on it just IM me or post something in the blog. But first...
At what point do we need to grow up? I don't think I'm all grown up yet. I think I'm mature but with that, I think a big part of being mature is knowing when to be a kid and when to be grown up. I think being able to joke and kid around is a great thing about me. I consider myself to be somewhat funny and I'm pretty easy going about things but I think I'm able to be serious when its needed. Well I just wanted to rant a little about that. Don't let your "inner child" be lost while you grow up. Being able to just sit back and kid is a great thing... Well heres the paper thats been so troublesome lately..
We Can’t Afford Equality
The idea that monetary wealth can be the equalizer between different racial and social classes can be seen in the film 8 Mile and discussed in the poem “Self Conscious” by Kanye West. Therefore, there are various types of financial aid such as welfare offered to minorities and the poor. While it seems that wealth is available to everyone and there are even institutional programs that promote this idea, both 8 Mile and “Self Conscious” reveal that society doesn’t actually want to see true class equality. In addition to this, both examples of the media also show how figures that attempt to and can transcend barriers are belittled, as shown by the portrayal of Papa Doc and the comments of Kanye West.
Among the barriers that separate the different racial and social classes are the “spheres of oppression,” (Mantsios 345) or as Mantsios describes them, the cumulative oppression based on race, class, and sexism in today’s society. These various types of oppression, mainly racism and classism, “distinguish social functions and individual power” (Mantsios 346) limiting what a class can possess and how a certain class should behave in a class structured society. The spheres of oppression have allowed the structured class system to further separate the classes not only by class and race but also by the actions and the power that they are shown to possess. This is evident in 8 Mile, Rabbit is shown to succeed at the rap battles over blacks and he also succeeds in being assimilated into hip hop, a predominantly black culture. Rabbit is also offered a chance to put together a demo for free instead of any of his friends who are all black. Eminem, the actor who portrays Rabbit, also has been able to succeed in the music industry and has capitalized on his race. Whereas most black artists aren’t embraced by a white audience, Eminem has been able to transcend the racial gap and has found a diverse audience that most minorities aren’t able to do. This is due to the fact that the spheres of oppression don’t limit the power whites are suppose to have since the only oppression they face appears to be their social class, while most minorities appear to have to face the accumulative spheres of oppression such as race and class. The example in the film and the reality of Eminem’s life show that the spheres of oppression seem to have a great effect on someone’s life and the chances of succeeding.
In “Self Conscious,” it can be seen that spheres that don’t limit the powers of whites, limit the power that minorities are able to obtain. Kanye West draws this distinction when he states that his racial class will be able to “buy our way out of jail but we can’t buy freedom” because of the oppressive forces that a black male, as well as other minorities, face in today’s structured society. Since the spheres of oppression limit the power and the opportunity one has in life, the notion that minorities have a limited freedom becomes apparent. The fact that minorities can buy their way out of jail gives them the illusion that they can buy anything with money, even their freedom. However, the spheres of oppression limit their lives to the point which limits any freedom they could obtain. This suggests that the structured system in society gives the illusion of freedom to those who can never obtain it. Also, since the structure system doesn’t give true freedom to certain races and classes, the notion of equality seems impossible. However, equality is alluded to with the representation of money in society and the different things someone is able to afford with money.
Monetary wealth is portrayed to be the equalizer for social and racial barriers through the media. Money is depicted as being the sole answer to solve many if not all problems faced by minorities and the poor. In the film 8 Mile, Rabbit and his friends are in the pursuit of becoming rappers but more importantly, becoming rich superstars. Sol George reflects the ideology that money is the equalizer when he states that “we need fine bitches and fat rides” in order to be happy, something that they will only obtain with money. Money is portrayed by the group of friends, as a tool that will elevate their lives from the poverty stricken Detroit, to a life of happiness. This pursuit of money is also exemplified through other forms of entertainment, such as poetry.
In the poem “Self Conscious,” Kanye West notes how blacks believe that money elevates their social standing above other blacks, “then I spent 400 bucks on this, Just to be like ‘nigga you ain’t up on this’.” This quote shows how blacks, along with other minorities, believe that being able to show their monetary wealth elevates them above their social class. These representations of money have invaded pop culture to the point that it is now generally accepted to believe money is the equalizer for racial and social classes. This ideology is not only portrayed through popular culture but also by the government. The government uses such programs as welfare to attempt to provide aid to minorities and the poor in order to help them overcome social and racial barriers in society, “the dislike was racist…they would have to ante up for welfare and Head Start”(DeMott 571). In other words, the dislike for blacks was originally due to racism and in order to atone for this, the government provided various programs to try to help blacks obtain a better life. Although portraying money as the equalizer acknowledges that there are still many barriers in today’s society, the difference in wealth hasn’t improved even with the different programs available.
The distinction between the level of wealth available to the different social and racial classes can be attributed to different barriers implemented by the government throughout history and the marketing of certain assets towards certain classes that still affect the levels of wealth today. There have been “institutional restraints on black property accumulation” (Conley 3) such as the 40 acres and a mule promised to freed slaves but it was rarely given to them. The lack of property accumulation has caused for blacks, as well as other minorities, to focus their monetary wealth on accumulating assets instead of trying to use the wealth they have to obtain more wealth. There have also been laws that have prevented blacks from starting their own businesses by requiring that they play excessive fees. Aside from these barriers placed on attaining asset wealth, there are certain assets that aren’t geared towards certain social and racial classes. Stocks and bonds, an asset that is has been shown to yield a favorable return, is “primarily targeting whites, financial brokers have created in minority communities a cultural bias against investing” (Choudhury 9) in that asset. This has created a social connotation that only whites can invest in certain assets. In 8 Mile, during the discussion outside of Cheddar Bob’s house, DJ Iz suggests that if they had wealth they should invest it in savings bonds and insurance and is ridiculed for this suggestion. Sol George later comments on how he can’t believe DJ Iz is his brother, this shows how there is a white label attached to certain investments that would potentially close the wealth gap between races. However, this also shows that minorities, including blacks, believe that they need material possessions more so than they need stocks, bonds, and other profitable assets.
The idea that blacks believe that they must accumulate material possessions instead of profitable assets can be also be seen in “Self Conscious.” West describes a woman in his poem as wanting “enough money to buy her a few pairs of new airs,” claiming that blacks are more interested in material wealth instead of asset wealth. The interest that blacks have in material wealth is also explained by West, we “floss cuz they degrade us, we tryin’ to buy back our 40 acres,” meaning that blacks choose to appear to have more material wealth because of the historical depreciation towards the value blacks have had throughout history as being cheap slaves. The historical value of black lives has caused today’s black population to become “addicted to retail” according to West. Instead of trying to invest their money in assets that will in turn help close the wealth gap, today’s black population appear to be proving their self worth through their material possessions and their clothes. Not only do blacks, as well as the poor and other minorities, try to prove to themselves that they are worth more than what society shows them to be, such as just 40 acres and a mule, but they also must attempt to accumulate assets that aren’t geared towards them. The different assets that are geared towards different races and classes show the true barrier between the different classes, the asset wealth available to them.
Asset wealth serves as the biggest difference between the social classes; it can be seen in various forms of pop culture, showing that the problem still persists today. Asset wealth consists of “add[ing] up everything you own and subtract[ing] your total amount of outstanding debt,” (Conley 1) not just monetary wealth. Asset wealth also can be described as being able to “capture the persistence of racial inequality in the post-civil rights United States” (Conley 1) and serves the most defining characteristic of the racial and social inequality that permeates society. The difference in asset wealth can be easily seen in 8 Mile, Rabbit not only has his own car that he can give away to Janeane but his mother also gives him a car for his birthday. This may not be seen as much asset wealth but in contrast to his black friends who have nothing, he appears to be much wealthier in terms of assets. In the beginning of the film it is also noted that Rabbit had an apartment with his ex-girlfriend, while all of his black friends are still living at home with their mothers. The contrast between the assets that whites and blacks possess are evident throughout pop culture but also in more personal accounts of the media, such as “Self Conscious.”
Kanye West also notes the difference in assets available to blacks by detailing the lack of assets blacks have and can obtain. West describes the lack of assets available to blacks by drawing a parallel to being able to obtain a car, “couldn’t afford a car, so she named her daughter Allexus.” In contrast to the representation of Rabbit who has had a car to give away to his ex-girlfriend and a car given to him by his mother, blacks are portrayed by West as being able to only dream about obtaining such assets. The lack of having asset wealth also affects the dependence on monetary aid provided by the government, “among the poor, it is a lack of assets that explains the higher propensities of blacks to rely on welfare” (Conley 1). With asset wealth affecting not only popular culture’s perception of racial and social classes and the assistance of financial aid provided by the government it can be seen that the “overall differences in wealth among racial and ethnic groups are generated primarily by the financial assets those groups own” (Choudhury 8). If asset wealth is what determines social standing and “class position determines one’s life chances” (Manstios 337) then it can be seen that asset wealth has a vast impact on someone’s life. The differences in asset wealth are the main differences that not only differentiate the social classes but it also perpetuates the social classes, while the portrayals of those who don’t conform to the structured society also keep people from transcending the barriers if possible.
Society and the media belittle those who appear to succeed in overcoming social and racial barriers. During the final rap battle in 8 Mile, Rabbit faces Papa Doc and exploits the fact that Papa Doc comes from a middle class family. Rabbit raps that Papa Doc isn’t an MC because he went to a private school and his real name is Clarence. In addition to this, Rabbit also claims that Papa Doc’s parents have a good marriage. Papa Doc is then considered to be “fake” because he hasn’t faced the struggles that are associated with the poor social class and he is described to be “white.” Not only is Papa Doc laughed at by his peers but it is assumed that he will lose respect not only from his own peers but also from the audience that is viewing the film. This showcases how the media has warped the perception that is associated with people who appear to have transcending a social class. In addition to this, Kanye West seems to reinforce this idea when he states that “even when I’m in my Benz, I’m still a nigga in a coupe,” meaning that even if he transcends the wealth barrier, he will still have to face racial barriers. West’s personal experience with attaining a monetary wealth and transcending the social barrier seem to reflect society’s sentiment towards people who can overcome barriers, they are unwelcome. The media and society has made the lower class and minority achievers appear to be comedic relief or considered fake in order to discourage people from attempting to move up the social ladder. The racist comments West faces and the respect Papa Doc losses appears to support the idea that society doesn’t want us to overcome racial and social barriers.
The Media and society appear to be trying to destroy the barriers between the racial and social classes, whites are shown to be friends with blacks and financial aid is offered to the poor whether they are minorities or not; however, on further inspection it appears that society and the media are perpetuating the rigid class system in society. Monetary wealth is emphasized over asset wealth and there appears to still be some institutional barriers that prevent minorities from accumulating any kind of wealth, such as strict loan policies applied to certain communities. In addition to this, society and the media seem to portray people who transcend social barriers to be “fake” or not to be respected. With all this in mind it seems as if society and the media in general would much rather keep the strict class system that is present in society instead of trying to bridge the gap between any classes. This idea is also shared by some minorities including West, “drug dealer buy jordans, crack head buy crack and the white man get paid offa all of that.” This shows that the drug dealer and the crack head both help those at the top of the social ladder, in this case whites. The idea that the majority, or whites, profit off of the social classes that exist explains why society has not attempted to destroy the social barriers that still exist today.
