When I first was reading through the syllabus of this class, I had so many questions and/ or concerns. I always thought of class to be something that is a very hierarchy and is monetary in nature. It did not make sense to me how that idea would be integrated with writing. 9 weeks into the class, that definition has changed drastically. There is so much more that comes into play than just the socio-economic status of an individual. It intersects with other societal notions of race, gender, nationality, etc. Personally, I feel that while I expanded the definition of class, I also expanded my thoughts to be more open-minded about understanding how every social construct interlinks with one another.
I lived in a city which saw a diverse population according to my original definition of class. You would see rich people driving off in Maseratis and you would see the rather worse-off section knocking on those windows asking for money.
However, now that not only have I been a part of this course learning about class, but also have moved to college. I have now been exposed to different races, gender, sexuality, religions, nationality, all social constructs that I never first had observed living in a small bubble. This makes me realise that people, or society at large, classifies people into different classes based on many other factors apart from their economical status. I have noticed how people look down upon other who may be of a different nationality, or color even though in the same “economical criterion.”
I would never date a man who is not in STEM regardless of how rich he is”- my floor-mate.
These new stimuli have not only exposed me to the different stereotypes that people have but also has expanded my identity. I no longer introduce myself as an American (just to be classified as one); I am an Indian-American who uses the pronouns she/her, regardless, of which class I fit into.