Lacking In Emotional Content The state of ralph emerson mcginnis
This online journal and blog is for anything that pops into my head while I'm not working on more important things. I'm a visual artist and writer. Read more about me here.
My friend Wash, who is British, made me seriously aware of class. In America, class difference is subtler, and overlaps. Case in point: Me. My family was very poor and uneducated, yet I went to school with wealthier kids and even now most of my friends are from richer backgrounds. I am the FIRST person in my family to go to college. I have worked extremely hard to get my education, my self-esteem and my career. I don’t seem to have any friends who really understand the implications of how hard it’s been for me, or how hard I’ve worked. I’ve had to do things and suffer in a way none of them seem to be able to comprehend. I’m saying all this – because I seem to be the only one willing to congratulate me. My parents don’t care, don’t even know – and my friends perceive me as lazy. I’m lazy, apparently because in the past they saw a kid who didn’t have a lot of money. I don’t know why else they would think I’m lazy – because obviously they are not seeing me. I am extremely driven and motivated. I had no money, no support network and I made my life happen. I refused to spend my life working in a factory or bar. I am finally starting to make a good living, so NOW suddenly I’m a respectable human being? People don’t seem to get that people are poor for a reason, and to not be poor they have to WORK. I WORKED hard to get here! Congratulations me.
Hello Ralph, I just wanted to congratulate you. Your right, you've come a long way. Thinking of you in Portland.
James
http://www.upsaid.com/deadsherpa posted by another_dead_sherpa at 8:03 PM