The smug myth of meritocracy
By Meg | November 11, 2008
If there’s one thing I can’t stand is the smug idea that we have anything resembling a real meritocracy; that people get what they deserve and that the rich are rich because they’re smart and hardworking, while the poor are poor because they’re dumb or lazy.
It’s a tune I heard a lot in college, where many students didn’t realize how lucky they were to be there — whether it was because they came from a rich family or because they won the genetic lottery and were exceptionally talented. It’s easy to say those who don’t get a college degree just don’t understand how valuable they are. It’s easy, that is, if you can forget that not everyone can get into college, there aren’t enough scholarships for the best and brightest even, and not everyone has someone to pay their way.
I know some very smart, very hardworking people who are trying or have tried to work enough to support themselves fully while in college. It’s not impossible for everyone, but for many it has simply been too high a mountain to climb, especially in these times where it’s hard enough to find a job that pays a living wage without a college degree — let alone one that allows you time and money to also go to school.
Then there are those who offer simplistic solutions to problems that they don’t understand. It’s one thing to say that giving up cable will save you money. It’s another to criticize people for being poor because you think they just aren’t willing give up certain luxuries or take advantage of opportunities — luxuries and opportunities they might not even have. Yes, many people spend way more than they need to and whine about being “poor” — and there is a lot of fat that can be trimmed in the budgets of many middle-class families. However, not everyone has a latte factor. Not everyone has public transportation available. I think a lot of Americans would be shocked at how many in the working class really live. After all, many of us would rather watch reality shows about rich people than take a look at the lives of those who live on the “wrong” side of town.
And yes, there are cases of people going from rags to riches, without or without a college degree. However, those are stories about exceptional people — who often have a good bit of luck on their sides. To expect every poor person to be exceptional is unrealistic, especially when we don’t hold everyone else to that standard. Everyone likes to think they’re special, but are we all moneymaking geniuses? Nope. Some people take chances and become millionaires. Some people just find themselves deeper in debt.
I say all this as someone who has been extremely lucky. I didn’t win the lottery or grow up in a wealthy family, but I know my strengths and I’ve had a lot of great people on my team, especially my mom and husband. However, I also count myself lucky to have known some pretty exceptional people who are far from wealthy. People who work hard despite what the world throws at them. People who press on daily because they know others depend on them. People who remind me through their example not just that the world is unfair, but also that the rest of us could and should do more. People who humble me. I hope that one day they’ll still achieve their dreams — dreams that they deserve perhaps more than most people I know. Will they? I don’t know. But I have to hope they do, just as they have to keep hoping.
The myth of meritocracy may help the wealthy sleep better at night, but it doesn’t solve the problem that there are shrinking opportunities for those who most desperately need them. We have a real problem here in America and in many other countries: fewer and fewer jobs that pay a living wage to those without a college degree. What can we do? I’m not an economist. I have no huge plan to save the country. There are things that you and I can do: buy local products, elect good leaders, etc. However, today I am asking you simply to appreciate the opportunities that you’ve had and be willing to accept the idea that not all those who are struggling are because they somehow deserve it. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Have compassion.
Tags: Attitude, Behavior & Etiquette, Class, Impressions, Saving Money, Spending Money
Related Posts:
Leave a comment! 10 Comments »
The Fabulous! Festival for November ‘08
By Meg | November 3, 2008
Welcome to the November 3, 2008 edition of The Fabulous! Festival. First off, thank you to everyone who submitted posts. There was a large turnout, and it was a pleasure to read so many fab posts. I blame Fabulously Broke in the City for at least some of those extra posts since she hosted such a great edition last month ; )
It wasn’t easy, but I did narrow down the posts to ten editor’s picks. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!
Personal style
Sara Goldstein presents Class ain’t cheap. (It’s free) posted at The Bargain Queens.
My fellow bargain queen explains how to dress with class on any budget.
Beth Ziesenis presents Why does a girl have to be so silly to catch a client? posted at Life on Avenue Z, saying, “A copywriter comes to the realization that she has to update her wardrobe — and her shoe closet!”
Just in case you didn’t think that shoes matter! Let’s just hope that it’s not just the brand or price tag that matters.
George Rogers presents Shoes of Power: Are the Potential White House Women Obsessed With Fashion? posted at Trendy Shoes Shop, saying, “Very informative and entertaining article on the fashion tastes and purchasing habits of the women potentially headed to the White House. It uncovers some sparkling (and some potentially damaging) facts about the White House Women.”
If that last post you’re worried about your clothing choices being scrutinized, be glad that you — and your spouse — aren”t running for office.
Dr. Yakini presents Spotlight on Michelle Obama posted at Girly Home Webzine, saying, “I hope you enjoy!!!! :-)”
In case you haven’t gotten your fill of political fashion ;) Personally, I love Mrs. Obama’s style and hope to see much more of it.
Shopping
Erika Collin presents 50 Must-Read Blogs for the Conscientious Organic Shopper posted at Organicasm.
An outstanding, well-organized list for anyone who is trying to live greener. I found more than a few new favorite blogs on there.
Raymond presents How To Value Your Clothing Donations and Get A Tax Deduction posted at Money Blue Book.
Clean out your closet, help a charity — and pay less in taxes.
Kathryn presents 8 Great Etsy Shops in San Francisco posted at San Francisco is Sexy, saying, “This post profiles eight different Etsy stores by San Francisco artists and designers which each offer super sexy finds for people to purchase. There’s some really unique homemade and vintage clothing, jewelry and designs including Octopus jewelry and military-inspired spats for heels. Hot stuff!”
As this blogger shows, Etsy is the cure for cookie-cutter, department store fashions.
Beauty
Talk Prom Dresses presents Prom 2009 Make-Up Trends
posted at Prom Dresses, saying, “Some makeup advice for people who are planning on attending the prom this year”
Good makeup advice for special occasions this year, next year, and even for years to come.
Fashion
Laetitia Wajnapel presents Mademoiselle Robot loves… Alix, the Cherry Blossom Girl posted at Mademoiselle Robot, saying, “Interview with Alix The Cherry Blossom Girl celebrating the launch of her first collection. Part of a series of interviews with designers and artists I love.
I can see why Laetitia wanted to interview her! The collection is gorgeous — but don’t take our word for it. Check out these photos or this video.
Barry Wright III presents Who Has the Power? posted at 3stylelife.
Last but not least… Barry has got to be one of my favorite Fabulous! Festival regulars because he really goes deep into the nature of fashion. This post is no exception. If you ever wanted to know how trends get from runway to department store, then this is a must read.
Thank you for reading this edition of The Fabulous! Festival. The next edition will be hosted by Living Almost Large at LAL Musings on December 1st. The deadline for submissions is November 28th.
Written a great blog post on a fabulous! topic like beauty, shopping, fashion, or personal style? Submit it to the next edition of The Fabulous! Festival using our carnival submission form.
Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page. If you’re interested in hosting an edition of The Fabulous! Festival on your blog or if you have any questions about the festival, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Tags: Beauty, Blog Carnivals, Fashion, Green Living, Links, Spending Money, Style, The Bargain Queens
Related Posts:
Fall cleaning — and closet organizing
By Meg | October 27, 2008
This past weekend my husband and I did some major cleaning around the house, mostly in the way of more decluttering and organizing. It’s amazing how fast those piles can accumulate in odd places. And drawers quickly turn to junk drawers if not regularly decluttered. One place that needed some major work was our closet. Fortunately, I’m something of a closet clearing pro.
My husband’s side was easy. Several months ago he hung all of his clothes backwards, then turned each piece the right way when he rehung it after it was worn and washed. There was a small section of clothes that were still facing the other way since they hadn’t been worn, so we went through them to find out why. One shirt we left “in circulation”, one shirt was put into a box for sentimental items, and the rest are in a bag in the car waiting to go to Goodwill.
My side was a bit more work. Unfortunately, I had gained some weight over the last few months due to a then undiagnosed health condition. I’m now taking care of that and am already losing weight (slower that I put it on, of course), but a good bit of my wardrobe doesn’t fit right yet. There’s no use having clothes that don’t fit taking up room in my closet, though. So, all those clothes went into another bag which I’m storing elsewhere along with other clothes that I may or may not keep.
I’m normally pretty quick to get rid of things, but I’m hesitant to permanently part with clothes right now. Since I am indeed losing weight, I want to see how I feel about certain clothes when they (hopefully) fit better. Plus, some of those pieces may come in handy for some of the video work that I’m doing over at The Wardrobe Channel. And I also have several friends who have been known to “shop” my closet.
One thing that really felt good was to go through my winter accessories and reorganize them — even though it’s still not cold enough to wear most of them during the day. There were things in there I forgot I had, even though most of it has been stored in my closet or dresser like most of my other clothes, just in drawers or areas that I don’t really go through. I can’t wait till I can wear my winter stuff since I love things like gloves, scarves, winter hats, sweaters, jackets, sweater vests, boots, etc., but it’s just too hot here for most of the year — and even much of winter. And of course, nearly half of my wardrobe — if not more — consists of “winter” clothing.
Even though the temperatures haven’t changed much, it’s been nice even just to put away my summer hats and extra flip flops. Sure, it’s still warm enough to wear them and it’s not like I’ve worn much of either anyhow. And I still have no plans to put away my floral summer skirts. But sometimes, little gestures like that help to break up the year. After all, in a month or so I’m sure the neighbors will have their giant snow globes on display in their yards, even if the temperatures some days are in the 80s.
Have any of you reorganized your wardrobe for the fall — or do you keep everything more or less in the same place year round? How do you feel about changing your wardrobe as the seasons change?
Tags: Fashion, Home & Garden, Organization & Decluttering, Outerwear, Weather
Related Posts:
My house isn’t your storage unit
By Meg | October 26, 2008
I was just reading Storage continues over at BakeLiteDoorBell. Apparently, the author has the same problem that I do: people mistake our homes for no-cost storage facilities.
I refuse to store stuff for other people — yet I still end up storing stuff for other people. I HATE it. I have enough stuff that I’m trying to declutter, but I’ve had more than one roommate just leave their stuff behind on the day they move out telling me to store some of it for them and throw out other stuff — as if I didn’t have enough stuff to do, not to mention a serious shortage of space.
Then there are random friends who just leave things behind saying that they’ll pick them up later, but then they only do after I’ve bugged them about it so much that I wonder if I really want to see them again. After all, what kind of person just expects someone else to store (for free, of course) their stuff that they obviously don’t need or even want that much since they can do without it for so long! It’s one thing if you sincerely just forget something and then promptly return to pick it up. To just leave stuff and expect it to be taken care of is selfish and disrespectful. But I fall for it because some people can still convince me that “it will only be for a week” and “oh, thanks, you’re the best!” Afterwards when I complain people ask me why I said yes to it and I reply that I never really did, but yet there’s the stuff.
Fortunately, I think I’m finally done with all that. As of right now, I have a I’m-not-your-storage-facility rule and there will be no exceptions. Anything left behind will be thrown out, sold, or given away if it’s not picked up by a date of my choosing, and I won’t hesitate to tell someone that. Of course, I still don’t people to think that they can just leave garbage/castoffs with me and that I will just take care of the stuff for them. But, there’s only so much I can do — though chucking their stuff at them while they drive off might be amusing if I weren’t so damn nice.
Anyhow, all that’s left now are a few bottles of liquor that I’ll take care of myself at this point. That’s it. Well, unless you count some stuff in our current roommate’s room; she can hardly see the floor because she’s still storing stuff for two ex-boyfriends. Oh well, not my problem.
So, anyone else had this problem? How have you dealt with it? Or, have any of you been the friend who always seems to leave stuff behind? Why?
Tags: Behavior & Etiquette, De-stressing, Home & Garden, Organization & Decluttering
Related Posts:
The Fabulous! Festival for October ‘08
By Meg | October 1, 2008
Wow, is it October already? Time for me to starting thinking about Halloween costumes and early Christmas shopping — both reasons why I think October is a fabulous month!
But you know what else is fabulous this month? The October edition of the Fabulous! Festival :D This month’s edition is up over at Fabulously Broke in the City, making it a doubly fabulous Fabulous! Festival. So head on over for lots of great reads and link love!
Don’t forget, though — I’ll be hosting the next edition here on November 3rd, so be sure to submit your posts by October 31st! (Or October 29th if you think you’ll forget due to all the Halloween merriment.)
Tags: Beauty, Blog Carnivals, Fabulous! Festival, Fashion, Style
Recent Comments