The Dividing Line

Trey Smith

I think most people would agree that we should judge others by the content of their character and yet, while this tends to be a good theoretical point, most people don't utilize it. In this day and age, it's not uncommon at all to judge individuals predominantly by their gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs (or the lack thereof) and, the biggest one of all, their financial standing.

Of course, if a person offers up this last one, a lot of people will charge that you're trying to foment class warfare. They will swear up and down that class or financial standing doesn't figure into their calculations at all, but the truth too often belies their protests!

For example, if a financially poor person is deemed to be lazy, the majority opinion -- shared by BOTH the rich and poor alike -- is that such an individual is a drag on society. However, if the individual deemed lazy is wealthy, then the overall assessment is quite different. In this case, it is not uncommon to hear people say, "Well, he/she earned the right to do nothing!" This is often true for those born with a silver spoon in their mouths and have not earned much of anything.

Another example concerns hard work. Poor people who toil away keeping society going rarely are commended for their dedication to their profession. Rich people who are viewed as hard workers are lionized. They win awards and plaudits, while the poor just aren't recognized for their efforts.

Mothers from impoverished families are criticized roundly if they desire to stay home to raise their children. "You should get out to find work," is a remark often heard. Mothers from well-to-do families are praised effusively if they desire to stay home to raise their children. They are held up as paragons of "family values."

Even an individual's bad habits are treated differently. If you're poor and you spend a portion of your money on drugs, tobacco, alcohol, gambling or prostitution, you are viewed as weak and a prisoner to your unhealthy desires. However, if you're rich and you spend your money on the exact same things, most people will say that you have the right to spend your hard-earned money however you see fit.

Two individuals behaviorally could be almost carbon copies of each other, yet the financially poor one will be denigrated, while the well-to-do one most often is given a pass or, at times, even commended.