The term “class” has a lot of definitions, the most common being 1) a group of people in a school room and, 2) a socio-economic level. The earliest use of the first came from the Latin “classis” in the 6th century BCE; the second developed around the same time and is attributed to King Servius Tullius, the 6th king of Rome. Class is used in the military and taxonomy, as well as a way to define one’s cultural or economic level. It is the second meaning that I want to consider today, and I want to especially look at how it divides and insults. I would like for all of us to stop using it in this way. Why? Because it is a subtle form of bigotry that fuels much of our national discourse. And I am as much to blame as anyone else.
I was born to well-educated, low-income parents. They listened to opera (it was also their training) and Dave Brubeck. We ate different kinds of food than many of my peers. We had no money, but at least – we thought – we had class. We didn’t run in wealthy circles, and had limited amounts of stuff, but class was, for my parents, as state of mind. It was based on education and, in my father’s definition, intelligence. This kind of snobbishness has been tearing us apart for all of human existence; the elite got educated and the rabble ate metaphorical cake. Even our government is based on the English system of the people’s house and the house of Lords; the common people versus the well-off. India has long had a formal system that divided the people into classes, from the Untouchables to the Brahmin. Money – and power – talks. They also decide everyone’s fate, like it or not.
As we watch what is happening with the reshaping and redecorating of Washington, DC, I would like to use the word “respect” instead of “class.” We have seen a lot of gold-leaf added to the White House; I think it looks ridiculous, and many have labeled it as classless. There is an arrogance – an elitism – a condescension – to those kinds of comments. It was disrespectful to paint the reflecting pool – it was disrespectful to tear out the Rose Garden – it is disrespectful to put the president’s name on the Kennedy Center. It isn’t classless to spit in public – it’s disrespectful. It isn’t classless to wear your pants below your butt – it’s disrespectful. Class divides – respect unites. Maybe, if we could start applying the concept of respect to things we deem as classless, we could open up a conversation of what is appropriate and what is not. Instead of judgment – which is what the term classless really is – we could focus on difference (diversity?). Then, maybe, we could begin to understand each other and be more accepting (inclusive?) of one another. Instead of social climbing, we could have more social caring. Class is temporary, but respect lives forever.
Prayer – Merciful God, we have different ways of seeing things and different ways of appreciating life – may we learn to accept each other’s differences and be more respectful. Amen.
Today’s art is “Spiritual” by Mark Ashkenazi.