diversity and anti-oppression: classism

3/07/08

friday training this week started everyone of with a surprise.

well, almost everyone. reading over the scoop (the ally newsletter that keeps us up to date on training locations and topics, as well as assorted ally news) i noticed that we would be having a training on classism. rather than a particular ally be responsible for bringing snacks, public allies would be feeding us.

this immediately sent up a red flag. after being in public allies for this long, i know every promise comes with some tricky lesson. rather than leaving it to chance, i prepared myself a delicious breakfast and arrived promptly at 9:00, coffee cup in hand.

as we were ushered into the training space by dave (who, by the way, was dressed in a fashion that as quite reminiscent of the monopoly man), we were to pull a piece of paper out of his top hat. 5 groups were indicated on the papers and so we were arranged.

it was immediately apparent what would be happening. the first table was set with an assortment of breakfast condiments and beverages. the second table had cereal boxes on them, andthe 3 tables further in succession were set with slips of paper. as we filed into place, or alternately, were curtly escorted to them by a pushy monopoly man, the ruckus began.

the program managers brought out 3 glasses of milk, an orange, and a big bowl of brown rice for the 3 tables in the back portion of the room, most of which had at least 5 people. the table of 4 in front of ours was given coffee and an orange to complement the ceareal. what started the trouble was what was given to the people at the first table.

the fellows brought out pancakes, bacon, and eggs, setting them down courteously in front of the four people in front. something that was strange about the set-up of their table: while the rest of us were sitting in circles or squares, facing our "families," that first table was positioned so each person was looking back at the other tables.

there were six people at my table with me. on the table were sheets of paper informing us about the status of our "family," the dwyers. our fictional family consisted of five: the father, a newly-hired police officer; the mother, who stays at home with the kids; a daughter, high-achieving student and talented musician; a foster daughter, with multiple sclerosis; and a son, envious of the attention his sisters get.

there was another sheet of paper listing our income, expenses, and personal assets(a television, camera, and vcr). a third sheet of paper informed us that our family was living in a rented 3 bedroom on the west side, and that we were in substantial credit card debt. the foster daughter was awarded $500 monthly for care expenses, but later on, would be removed from the home due to charges of neglect resulting in a loss of income and a trip to the welfare office for legal aid.

eventually, everyone who wasn't at that first table started asking when the food was coming. were we going to get bacon too? the first table ate, guiltily at first, but eventually forgot about the rest of us. soon, everything was gone from their table, while the brown rice and cups of milk remained on ours, room-temperature and untouched.

when the program managers started asking questions about how everyone felt, the responses were really interesting. some folks decided that the 1st table was the upper class, the central table was the middle class, and the last tables were the lower class. some noticed that we only spoke to the people in our "families," primarily mumbling about how upset we were.

at the end of the simulation, when people found out they weren't going to be getting breakfast, they were really angry. i suppose that makes the point even stronger, not only about the differences in class (where for some, having breakfast really is a priveledge) but also the obvious differences in quality of nutrition available.

durring the break, many allies went straight to mcdonald's, even though some of them were complaining loudly about the quality of food available in the community only last week. i got frustrated again, because i'm tired of hearing people complain, only to go right back and perpetuate the cycle they are bitching about.

people really do go hungry right here, people can't afford to live a fair life. i think we forget sometimes that as allies, we are fortunate to have decent paying jobs, and for that matter, the opportunity to have this chance. most of us aren't responsible for an entire family, and even if we are, we get foodshare benefits. we all make enough to make ends meet, if we live within our means.

we may not be rich, but we've got something.