What is Institutional Classism?
Assigned value based on class given by an institution
An Example of Institutional Classism
- The availability of healthy food options.
- Preferential treatment by employers.
In some low income neighborhoods there are no grocery stores. In Westwood, the only grocery to speak of are corner stores, which offer little or no produce and few options.
Another example: Students going to school using financial aid are given the means to afford tuition and fees, however, the refund checks are normally received on the 8th week of the semester. Much too late for purchasing books and supplies. Money that may otherwise be used supplying basic needs has to be used to buy necessary textbooks. Of course, it is difficult to keep up with college coursework when you are struggling to meet basic needs.
How is this Detrimental?
- Self-perpetuating cycle of poverty.
- Bestows privileges to those who already have privileges and denies it to those who have little-to-no means
Solutions
- There is no quick fix because the power of change primarily lies in the hands of the privileged and they are few who sacrifice their own comforts, or those of their future generations to benefit strangers. So the burden lies on the individual. We must each make a personal resolution to make a priority of social justice.
- Identify and work to counteract present injustice and then prevent further generations of citizens who are blind to the plight of their fellow man. What can we do in our own lives to make change? How can we teach children to recognize abuses against our fellow man?
- Instill a sense of unity among people. One does not have to suffer for another to flourish. If we give up on the world as an imperfect experiment bound for ruin, then in the present and future, it will be.