The Role Of Inequality In The United States

The Constitution of the United States declares everyone to be equal, but this is not a reality. Throughout history and continuing into the present day, there is disorder and conflict in the lives of working people in society. Inequality creates a conflict of power among social classes due to differing treatment based on race and gender as well as the effects of the economy on working society, and the role of social status in America. The ever present division between races and genders has caused a rise of discriminatory opportunity. The clash of inequality has created a major lack of opportunity for any American citizen seeking to reach above the standard of life. A common misconception related to the problem of inequality is the American
Similarly, as Oklahomans raised more farm products, commodity prices collapsed. Farm practices and the weather contributed further” (Finchum 277). In this time frame, the deterioration of the economy was in full swing and different occupations were beginning to suffer with it. Not only did the economic crash take its toll on working American income, but the inequality between social classes caused the wages in each class to differ. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck describes the life of two migrant workers hoping to accomplish their dream of owning their own farm. They are trying to escape the predicament of the low-income, nomadic lifestyle and make a life of their own despite the issues of the American economy. The difficulties of living through the Great Depression are heavily displayed and even the defeat as they believe "nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land" (Steinbeck 74). Their goal was to have a farm of their own and this quote demonstrates the destruction their lifestyle brings on their dream. The success of the low earning laborers emerging from the weights of the suffering economy was almost, if not, impossible. If the income of citizens is viewed as a ladder, for example, then clearly the power people hold becomes higher or lower according to the amount they
As mentioned before, the economy affects the social ladder for citizens in America. Since the wage amounts differ, the lifestyle of each individual shifts according to the amount they earn. Clearly the wealthier people are the ones that power over a majority, if not all, of society. The present time for a certain individual's lifestyle is not solely dependent on the work they do themself, but the work of past generations in their family. Everyone has different backgrounds, resulting from the impact of their culture, heritage, or ethnicity. All of these factors have an affect on their life outcome. It is foolish to believe that everyone is equal, even though the United States Constitution’s Fourteenth amendment states, “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws” (US Const. amend. XIV, sec. 2). In official terms, every American citizen is proclaimed to be created equally, but in the reality of America no one is ever fully treated equally. An example of status significance is seen in the novel Lord Of The Flies by William Golding. The storyline describes the scenario of a group of young boys, ranging from ages six to twelve, stuck on an island after a plane crash. As the boys beginning to understand the situation they are in, they realize there is a need for