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The permanent underclass

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The permanent underclass
Patricia Cadet
Professor Greenfield
English 120

How does the prevailing existence of the permanent underclass prevent this generation from attaining the American Dream?

This idea of the permanent underclass is so deep rooted in American culture that this generation has subconsciously internalized it. They believe that where they are now financially will be where they will stay in the future. In other words, America as a nation has lost its hopeful spirit. There is a pessimistic outlook that weighs people down and enables them to stay stuck in the permanent underclass mentality. This reality cannot afford a dream; today’s American generation is in a nightmare.
The permanent underclass consists of people who are categorized by their low social status and economic advantages. These unprivileged citizens are excluded from having a voice in society and are at a great disadvantage in obtaining success because “money talks” and if you do not have any, your voice is somehow lower. Many of them are unable to acquire employment to support themselves as well as their family. Not only are they unable to attain success, their future generation is also at risk. Some are unconscious of the great danger that lies ahead; being oblivious to the trap that has been laid out for them. The future generation will grow up believing that their American dream will come true, but in the end they will wake up and realize that the idea of success only happens in their sleep.
The Permanent underclass consists of people who reside in the inner city or urban ghetto areas. The majority of this underclass consists of Blacks, Hispanics and other minority groups. They are seen as “an unproductive and regressive portion of the population unable or unwilling to work” (Darity, al. 1994, p. 16). They are usually unable to find work that can pay them what they deserve and are forced to live off of what the government believes is enough for them to get by.
The permanent


Cited: Works Darity, William A., Jr. 1982. “Economists, the Minimum Wage, and the Underclass”. 133–156. In Race, Poverty, and the Urban Underclass, ed. Clement Cottingham. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books. "Underclass." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Dec. 2011. Web. 5 May 2012 “The Communist Manifesto”. Wfu.com. 2005 Geier, Joerg in International Economics, US Domestic and Cultural Issues 22 June. 2006 “American Dream and Unemployment” http://atlanticreview.org/archives/340-The-American-Dream-and-the-Future-of-Employment.html Shierholdz, Heidi. Economist ”Unemployed Workers” 9 Nov. 2010 http://www.epi.org/publication/20101110jolts/
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