Among the mass of student groups vying for your attention on
Bruin Walk, have you ever noticed the Poor Student Union? Have you
heard the chants of hundreds of students at UCLA proclaiming
“We are the deprived” or someone at UCLA actually
saying that they are not from the middle class?
At UCLA, where most people who are underrepresented might get a
voice on campus or have a support group to go to, students without
money are never talked about.
We do not know many students who have grown up in projects,
trailer parks, homeless shelters and on the streets of this nation.
Even if we speak of “the less fortunate,” it is in the
safety of our own privileged academic setting.
We are a university and a society ashamed of the poor. Many of
us truly believe that our future salaries, cars, homes and yachts
are based on our own hard work. We question the diligence of those
who receive welfare or are annoyed with the amount of bums on the
streets of Westwood. UCLA students are known for their volunteer
projects, many patting themselves on the back for feeding and
tutoring their objects of charity, while never truly understanding
the plight of the disadvantaged.
The truth is, most students would not be here without their
wealth. The majority of students here have never gone hungry, slept
in their car, or worked three jobs to pay rent while taking care of
their family.
Although there are exceptions, most people who do have those
responsibilities cannot afford, neither money-wise nor time-wise to
take AP tests, play sports and even attend class.
Even when motivated, these poorer students are more likely to be
tracked into programs that teach them practical skills rather than
college prep skills.
Meritocracy for the poor is a fallacy. For meritocracy to truly
work it would need a level playing field. Only then can you be
judged simply on the basis of who you are, because you’re not
limited by other factors.
Although there are some
students at this university who have made it through poverty,
there are also many talented, intelligent and poor individuals who
will never overcome the obstacles that come with their situations,
no matter how hard they work or try.
The less money, the more likely it will be near impossible to
gain opportunities in this capitalistic world.
In the Federalist No. 10 of the Federalist Papers, James Madison
insinuates that the government might be influenced strictly by the
affluent. He was right. Although many of us have been told we could
be the president of the United States, the truth is the poorer you
are, the less chance you have. Many of our nation’s
presidents come from the elite upper class while virtually none
come from the lower class. It might not be fair, but it is truly
American.
Although many believe most poor people are unemployed, the
majority of those impoverished are the working poor. We live in a
system that thrives off of low wage labor, especially in Los
Angeles, which would not have an economy if not for immigrant
labor. There are students holding down two or three jobs here at
UCLA. There are people who have always worked $7-an-hour jobs and
have supported families with these wages.
Even if you were blessed with wealth, it’s important to
understand that many students were not. If you were born into
privilege, go some place outside of Westwood and don’t
tokenize the disadvantaged, but truly try to understand their
situation.
Today, if you have less than a dollar in your pocket, have a
family that grew up on welfare, or are living to make ends meet;
hold your head high and know that there are many students in the
same boat.