Powerful myths about class - and a reality check video

I thought it would be helpful to reiterate the myths about class that we talked about last week.  These myths or beliefs effect our understanding of class and of our own place in the world.  We use them to evaluate ourselves and each other. 

*Myth #1
The US is a classless society

*Myth #2
We are a meritocarcy, that is,we evaluate people based on their merit and accomplishments

*Myth#3
Anyone who works hard can achieve the American dream.

*Myth#4
What's good for business is good for the rest of us.  [We often see this in reports about the improving stock market.  The message there is that if the market is improving, that benefits everyone.  But who owns stocks?]

*Myth#5
Inequality is natural and necessary

Here's a fun video on the distribution of class.  I had planned to do this in class with ten chairs but we ran out of time.