The Reality and Implications of Social Classes in America — Part II

How increasing social stratification continues to divide and harm our future at a time when we we most need to come together

Image by Author with AI Assist — Social Classes Ride the “Bus”

Reader advisory: Occasional slips of profanity present

In Part I , I took the opportunity to vent. I needed it. I recommend that you take a read here so that you can get a sense of where I am going with this short series. In this installment, I let the practical realist in me take over. Therefore I will aim to provide some fundamental background on the concept of social classes in American society.

Let me loudly start with an important statement. Social classes in America exist , and they matter. And while we often rhapsodically celebrate America as the place where anyone can make it, the place where societal porosity, where upward mobility is claimed to be within the reach of everyone.

Try remembering George Jefferson’s exuberance in his infectiously, happy tune.

Well we’re movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)
To the east side
(Come on, movin’ on up)
To a deluxe apartment in the sky
Movin’ on up
(Movin’ on up)
To the east side
(Come on, movin’ on up)
We finally got a piece
Of the pie