originally posted by: christophoros
a reply to: LOSTinAMERICA
You are reading the data all wrong your looking for what you want to see. the white telomeres were more rapid to change positively and negatively. The
telomeres were the longest the lower middle class bracket. essentially the telomeres did a relative 180 and was longer than everyone else with only a
minimum amount of success presented.
Right. But that's because the telomeres aren't a measurement of success of failure. What I'm saying is that they're a reflection of how and to
what degree one finds cohesiveness within groups. Let me try and explain.
Here's our data:
Race Wealth Telomeres Length
White Poor Shortest
White Low Longest
Black Poor Short
Black Low No significant change (Short)
Mexican Poor Very Long
Mexican Low Smaller than when Poor
Now, what I'm looking at isn't the change reflecting how successful they are in life. It has to do with the typical social order how they fit in
with those around them because of that success. When you are poor society in general resists you as a member however depending upon culture your
family is usually more important and provides your support. But remember this is a test done here in America as well.
That is significant because it explains the Mexican results and they even hint at that as well. First time immigrants here from mexico have extremely
tight families like they do back home. They support each other even more that than when they move up a notch. Once they are here in America and have
money or become part of American Individualism they lose part of that tight family support. That is why they do very well Poor but go down once they
get some success. Because that is what Individualism creates. Less real family and friends with you in meaningful ways.
Now, for Blacks there is not so much of a significant change when moving from Poor to Lower Class. Once again here in America they don't have the
tight cultural unit to start with and even moving up one notch still doesn't provide much significant change. It's not like Poor to Lower Class
even is much of a change if you think about it. You're still very much addressed as an Individual and on your own. Either you make it or not, not
too many people really care.
Now, for whites it's just a little different but not by much. The reason why there is such a significant change is because as a Poor white person
here in America where Individual Success is put squarely on each persons shoulders to bear, if you are poor you are looked at as a failure. Even by
ones own family much of the time. Also, by society because it carries the implication that as White you also have White Privilege. So if you're
poor, you must have really screwed up.
However, simply being Lower Class elevates you significantly in the perception of others. Lower Middle Class is where the working class is and there
is much respect for them. They are truly the salt of the earth and what keeps the ball rolling. Just that simply move from poor and being white you
are accepted as a decent, hard working person. Sure, maybe you aren't the envy of many but you are welcomed into the pack, so to speak. More so
even than blacks, or mexicans of the same wealth because America is still culturally a very white, christian mindset.
Does that make sense. Keep in mind this is simply how I understood it. It doesn't mean I'm correct obviously but hopefully you can see why I got
that message from it rather than what you got from it. To me it's not a lie nor is it about a measurement of race capability but a physiological
effect that our culture does to us based upon cultural norms of race and wealth and how our Individualism effects our ability and access in being a
significant part of a larger whole. The more part of the pack the better you do and the longer your tolomeres do. The more Individualized you become
or even worse if you're shunned from the whole of society the worse you and your tolomeres do.