to riches” stories that abound in the American psyche, dramatic upward social mobility is extremely rare: “Hardly anyone starts at the bottom of the ladder and ends up at the top,” and upward mobility opportunities are “limited” at best (“Social Class in the United States,” p. 1). Current class position will influence individual actions, and individual actions can also be constrained by class background. For example, a person from a particular class background learns values, beliefs, behaviors, and communications styles from parents and community members within the same socioeconomic milieu. Those values, beliefs, behaviors, and communication styles become part of the… Continue Reading...
Though the author earns upward economic and social mobility by doggedly pursuing education, his life is characterized by a shaky personal and legal limbo which serves to eclipse his occupational and academic successes. This stance definitely doesn’t convince all audiences of the need for a more empathetic immigration policy. In the end, the book might best function as a fine accompaniment to other undocumented migrant-related researches and literature for scholarly audiences (Emily 470). American migrant experiences are closely associated with individual migrants’ nationalities, socioeconomic standing and race. The writer bravely tackles a few stereotypes specific to Mexican… Continue Reading...
America, as the home of the free and the brave, is unique in its allowance of freedom and social mobility, in contrast to Europe, Asia, and other, much older civilizations. Yet as noted by Stephen M. Walt in his essay, “The Myth of American Exceptionalism,” perhaps one of the most ordinary aspects of America is its view of itself as exceptional. A more critical approach to America’s history, ideology, and identity is needed for America to move forward and to make needed political and social evolution into the future. Of course, it is fine to take pride in one’s nation. But to view one nation as exceptional and… Continue Reading...
social mobility because of a lack of social and cultural capital, as well as any financial capital that may be required. The black community should, claims Woodson, provide the structural supports needed to promote the advancement of black businesses and black careers.
Many African Americans have been actively discouraged from pursuing careers in certain fields, the same way that women might have been discouraged from pursuing certain careers. Woodson shows how African Americans have learned to accept such assumptions at face value rather than questioning them and then challenging them… Continue Reading...
