Is it Just Me, or am I Judging to Much? Social Classes

Let's be honest with each other right now. I know you judge people too. I know that just like me, you want so badly to say that you don't, but you do. When you see the man walk down the street with a scruffy beard, mismatched socks, rumpled shirt, and dirt on his face you think a lot of the same things I do... like "Is he homeless or something?" or " He needs a shower and shave!" or " He must have made some poor choices in his life that got him where he is."..... But guess what? You don't know him, and I don't know him, so neither one of us can say that any of those things we think are true.

 It's funny, I've also realize that while we think negatively about people who we may think are below us (as far as social class goes) that we also think those things about people who are "above us" I our minds. When a girl comes to class wearing a nice, expensive, outfit with her hair curled, designer bag in hand, and a smile we may automatically think, " She is prettier than me." or " Her family is really rich." or " She doesn't know how to work hard." or " She is stuck up."....Why in the world do we think we have the right to judge somebody we haven't even said "Hi!" to?

Ultimately what I am trying to say, is that we are surrounded by great people that could become our friends if we would just let down some of our preconceived barriers and talk with them. All we need to do is get to know them, and look for their strengths so we can learn from them. Some of these individuals might even be within our own family. We just need to be open to the possibility that our first glance judgments may be incorrect, and then do something about it.

- Lacey

P.S. If you are interested in watching some of the videos that gave me some of my insights, here is a link!

• Please Like Us (opening teaser)
• Tammy's Story
• You might also be interested in this update on Tammy and her family, filmed in 2013.)
• Joe Queenan's Tour of Yuppidom
• Gnomes are Us
• WASP Lessons
• Belles, Belles, Belles
• Friends in low Places
• How to Marry the Rich
• All You Need is Cash
• Trouble in Paradise
• Baltimore Dive Bars
• Class and Family Structure in the United States". This short video by a noted educator and family therapist discusses how family structure frequently differs greatly along social class lines.