The Negative Effects of Social Class in Today's Society:

U.S Airways: Picture to Text connections

  The Negative Effects of Societal Positions in Today's Society: 

                                              By: Alexcya McPherson

Author's note: Before reading this article, it is important to know there are distinct differences between social class and social status. Social class is a word usually used toward finances. For example based on how much money one has. Whereas social status is more appropriately used towards one's social value in society.  What both positions in society have in common is the people who have places and are involved in each social aspect, are treated differently based on where they rank. I have chosen this picture of the U.S airway crash because I feel this picture represents this well.

The Book “Cinder” written by Marissa Mayer and the picture of the U.S airway crash relate to classicism through showing examples of societal positions in society. These positions consist of social class, and social status.     

          The picture of the U.S airway crash demonstrates an example of social positions in society through social class. According to this picture there is social class injustice between the passengers in the front of the plane and the back of the plan. The picture shows the people in the front of the plane are in a boat with life jackets. Meanwhile the people in the back of the plane are standing in the water without life jackets. Keeping in mind that the passengers located in the back of the plane paid for an economic class plane ticket. Also keeping in mind the passengers in the front of the plane paid more to feel comfortable as a first class passenger.   In other words as a result of paying more money, the first class passengers get special treatment. In this case the special treatment is in the form of a boat and life jackets rather than standing in the water like the other passengers. All of these reasons are proof that this picture shows examples of social class. Therefore the picture shows social class because the first class passengers get special treatment compared to the other passengers.  

         

          The book “Cinder” written by Marissa Mayer displays social status by Cinder (the main character) being discriminated by her society. In “Cinder” the setting is placed in a futuristic version of Beijing. As reason of the setting which is the future, the social hierarchy has been adjusted. In the future there are now cyborgs and robots resulting in more discrimination between human both and other races. In the disruption of the status quo, humans are considered better and are at a higher social status than cyborgs because humans feel cyborgs are not real humans. In the social hierarchy Cinder is already at the lowest ranking because she is cyborg (half robot half human). Now after learning about being both lunar (people of the moon) and cyborg she realizes that she is at the very bottom of the social hierarchy. In her book Marissa Mayer confirms this by writing, “To be cyborg and a lunar.” “One was enough to make her a mutant, an outcast, but to be both?” In other words, Cinder is exhibiting her understanding of her place in society. Basically, Cinder knows now she is below not only humans but below all other aspects that are considered on the social status hierarchy. Considering her first reaction was to call herself an “outsider” and “mutant”, she clearly knows her discovery has made a negative effect to her life. In calling herself an “outcast” Cinder clearly knows she is someone that will be of low rank and looked down upon and on top of that treated with the utmost disrespect. This is a relevant discovery to the argument because Cinder is being discriminated against because of her race(s). In other words Cinder is at a lower social status by virtue of Cinder being cyborg (and a new addition) being lunar. Therefore “Cinder” written by Marissa Mayer displays social status on the grounds that Cinder is discriminated by her society.

          The Book “Cinder” written by Marissa Mayer and the picture of the U.S airway crash relate to classicism through social class, and social status. As a result of the special treatment and discrimination between both ‘Cinder” and the U.S airway crash, one can see how the lower ranking passengers and citizens of both fictional and non-fictional worlds have suffered. The reason being because they have been negatively affected by these social positions. These examples are on a small scale compared to what’s really happening in society today. If one doesn’t take the time to address small issues such as preferential treatment. That can compromise other people’s life during a plane crash. No one will. If  one takes the time to try and improve imperfections such as this in the world, society can only get worst.