Inequality is an issue of concern in the American society since the emergence of the slave trade many centuries ago. “Unlike poverty, which concentrates on the situation of those at the bottom of society, inequality shows how resources are distributed across the whole society” (Inequality: What is it?, 2014, p.1). This situation exists in the society today, and many people face different treatment because of the inequality that exists. It is safe to say that inequality exists at every level of the society. Within the American society, there is social, political, educational, and economic inequality in the society. Porter (2013) points out that America’s the issue of inequality are present all around, and go beyond the statistics for income. In fact, he reiterates the fact that “rich families invest more in their children’s education” (Porter 2013); and there is a limit on the educational opportunities for the poor and middle class. Although the society changed since the first slaves arrived, many individuals face inequality. At a time when there is upward social mobility, it seems that the society faces destruction by its own designs of social inequality.
In the educational system, teachers and extracurricular activities play important roles. They form a part of the educational development of the child. A child who garners a sound educational foundation or who comes from a sound educational background is more likely to achieve greater success in life. However, the stark reality is that children with solid educational backgrounds come from home where parents are unable to afford the quality education that matches the educational level of the child. In fact, the more the society changes, the more difficult it becomes for middle class and lower class children to achieve the highest educational standards. With the changes in the economy, children from poorer classes are finding it more difficult to access student loans, as they require guarantors with solid financial backing. The fact is these children would not require loans if the society allowed people of lower economic standing to come to the table with equal opportunities as those who are financially solid. Due to the inequality in the society, many children find that their dreams will forever be dreams. As a result, one realizes that the inequality in the education system is clear. The cycle of inequality continues as poor children with a solid education become poor adults with a solid education. One finds that wealthier schools have “better” educational resources than schools that are not as wealthy. Therefore, there is no doubt that these schools will perform better. In rare cases, students find means and ways to improve their situation without the advanced technology that they crave.
According to Porter (2013) “the United States has the 17th-highest poverty rate in the O.E.C.D., measured as the share of people who make do with less than half the median income, ranking around the middle of the pack.” This data shows that inequality exists on the social level. However, many critics say that “the extreme inequality status of the United States only kicks in when we go beyond market-based income and look at tax and transfer policies” (Ross, 2014). But this is debatable as society turns its back on those who are not financially savvy and embrace those who are financially well off. The message is clear. One cannot hope to move forward without money or education. However, the distribution of resources should not be based on wealth; yet sadly it is. The poorer class will always face the disadvantage of inequality because the financial and educational resources that they need, will never reach their social standings. Unconsciously, individuals in the society deal with each other in manners befitting their social standing. The minority groups in the society often cannot afford expensive medical resources, and therefore die quickly. On the other hand, the more affluent in the society gets treated with the best human and physical resources because they can afford the services.
The issue of social inequality goes further than being poor and being deprived of medical or educational resources. In fact, it reaches to the simple issue of housing and development in minority groups. Critical Race Theorists view the determination of inequality and poverty on the social standard and community policies that drives the movement of the whites along the path of economic and social success. This movement happens at the expense of the minority groups in the society. The inequality becomes clearer when one looks at housing, transportation, imprisonment, wealth separation racial segregation. The strong financial resources of the whites place them in suburban areas, while the black and other minority groups live in the cheaper urban areas. On the rare occasions when the minority become lucky and attempt to share housing resources with the whites, they face the issue of racial biases. In addition, transportation shows the inequality among individuals in the society. The affluent in the society find it easier to afford the well to do means of transportation. One may say that the changes in the society today allows for equal opportunities for every group in the society, but the equality comes with a cost that is even higher than the cost of inequality. In order to access a better way of life, many individuals have to take loans that they will never be able to repay in their lifetime; yet they do this in an attempt to reduce the ways of inequality that exists within the society.
In concluding, inequality exists in the American society, and exists on the social, economic, and educational levels. The resources that are allocated to members of the society depend largely on the financial status of the individual. The more affluent in the society live in better areas, get better medical care and attend better schools that offer better opportunities and program. Individuals from the minority group continue to face problems as they settle for menial jobs, limited health care and limited educational prospects for a better future. As a result one can conclude that the cycle of inequality will continue as the cycle of life remains the same. However, one can only hope that over time, the cycle will break and equality among social groups improves.
Reference
Inequality: what is it? (2014) The European Anti-poverty Network n.a
http://www.eapn.eu/en/what-is-poverty/inequality-what-is-it
Porter, Eduardo (2013) “Inequality In America: The Data Is Sobering” Print July 31, 2013.
Page B1 of the New York Edition http://www.nytimes.com
Ross, Robert S. (2014) What Makes the United States So Unequal? Web. Posted on May 28,
2014 http://inequality.org/unequal/
