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The Kitchen Table Versus the Public Sphere
The trepidatious trip report, part two
I'm nearing the end of my second week back in the US. Other than the unseasonably cold and rainy weather, it's been okay. I've seen a lot, talked with many people, and become more aware than ever.
What is the real America? I doubt anyone can say with absolute certainly. Two things about the US are definite facts. The US isn't as corrupt and nasty a country as many foreigners feel it is. The US isn't as pure and free a country as many Americans feel it is. The real America is somewhere in between.
During my travels through the US, I've seen so many subtle reminders that America is a society stratified by class. Race and ethnicity is inextricably interwoven with class. Those in higher classes are willfully blind to the realities of class, of course, pretending that the US is a classless society of truth, justice, and merit. Also of course, everyone else is not fooled.
I'm not rich, but the reality of class hierarchy was particularly stark when last night waiting for the…
