It’s almost impossible to sell anything in the United States without reinforcing the social class hierarchy. But some ads are more explicit than others. The embarrassing thing in this ad isn’t riding the bus. No. It’s riding in your father’s previous-century station wagon. But it’s not just embarrassing. It’s utter humiliation, according to the blonde-headed […]
About N. Jeanne Burns
Condescending Baby-Feeding Advice
I read this article about negative breast-feeding myths among African Americans in The Root and sat upright when I saw this bit of social class cluelessness: “…myths persist because of a lack of education among African Americans.” The myths about the dangers of breast feeding described in Jamila Bey’s article exist because two generations ago […]
Classed Relationships on the Internet
“Social class and the Internet” usually implies issues of access to high-speed Internet and newer computers. But recent online discussions have me reflecting on how my Facebook friends are divided clearly along class lines, in how we interact online. Class differences in dealing – or not dealing – with conflict show up starkly in my […]
