The recent decision of Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum to challenge the term “middle class” reminded me of this very funny PBS documentary I saw in a marketing class about the multi-layered nature of class, status, and privilege in America.
One of the key points in the film is that the choices we make define our class. What choices are you making, and what cultural tribes are you trying to join, leave, or connect with? What do you gain and what do you sacrifice in your pursuit of belonging?
When I try to help people to achieve “success” or “change the world,” it’s important to get a handle on what sub-cultural assumptions about what achievement means.
Do you want upward mobility in terms of class (your financial position) or status (the respect you receive)?
Do you aspire to downward mobility or connecting with less-privileged classes, out of respect for them, trying to be edgy, seeking social justice, or something else?
What strategies will get you connected and help you to fit into a new tribe? What bigger purpose does your getting connected serve beyond proving your ability to get access?
This playlist has a series of segments from the documentary:
Yes, there is a middle class in America (and a lot of other tribes too)
The recent decision of Republican presidential contender Rick Santorum to challenge the term “middle class” reminded me of this very funny PBS documentary I saw in a marketing class about the multi-layered nature of class, status, and privilege in America.
One of the key points in the film is that the choices we make define our class. What choices are you making, and what cultural tribes are you trying to join, leave, or connect with? What do you gain and what do you sacrifice in your pursuit of belonging?
When I try to help people to achieve “success” or “change the world,” it’s important to get a handle on what sub-cultural assumptions about what achievement means.
Do you want upward mobility in terms of class (your financial position) or status (the respect you receive)?
Do you aspire to downward mobility or connecting with less-privileged classes, out of respect for them, trying to be edgy, seeking social justice, or something else?
What strategies will get you connected and help you to fit into a new tribe? What bigger purpose does your getting connected serve beyond proving your ability to get access?
This playlist has a series of segments from the documentary: