Racial/Ethnical and Rich/Poor Borders

We have unconsciously divided ourselves from the day that we’re born by a social hierarchy that is known as social class. One of the ways society views and treats a person is definitely a result of the complexion of one’s pigment; thus creating limits as to how far one can climb up a social-economic ladder. Is it fair that we apply stereotypes, and judge according to one's skin tone and social class? No, society shouldn’t view certain social classes and their stereotypes as a permanent boundary that applies to them fully. Their skin tone, social hierarchy and/or ethnicity mustn’t be a barrier that constrains one to do or be something. It is said that money isn’t everything, however this isn’t completely true, money will provide for the best classes and tutors, clubs and sports coaches, and those born in a different social class will unfortunately have less of an opportunity to both succeed and have a bright future. Universities will always pick the white applicant from the wealthiest family, with the best SAT score (result of tutoring and classes), best sports potential and extracurricular activities (result of clubs, private lessons, and private sports camps), and best essays (product of experiences and opportunities usually brought through money), over the poor Mexican high school graduate. This doesn’t mean that the Mexican student doesn’t have a chance at making it to the college of his/her choice, this simply means that it’ll be much more difficult to reach the scores and requirements needed in order to get acceptance from the college he/she is aiming for. Usually most of the prosperous white families are either living the American Dream, or they’re really close to living it. The United States of America is commonly known for “The American Dream,” however achieving it is far from an easy task, especially for those in the lower and middle class. Nevertheless, it is very much possible to live this American Dream if one is determined; no matter the social class, as Efren Mendoza believed: “The American Dream is there for the taking if you aren’t lazy and have no qualms about the kind of work you do.” (Skyhorse 77). As it’s easier to live the American Dream being identified as an Anglo upper-class member, it is in no circumstances impossible to live it as a middle-class or Chicano/Mexicano working class member of society. Conversely, one’s social-economic class shouldn’t be a stepping-stone to living the American Dream. The rich shouldn’t get richer while the poor get poorer. It’s unjust to give the kids who were born in affluent families more opportunities and more tools to build their future than the less fortunate, poor, lower class students. These kids who were born in third world countries usually come to America willing or against their will. This change in country is solemnly to provide a brighter future with as many opportunities as possible to the immigrants’ children. As Nazario wrote referring to Carmen: “She left for the United States out of love. She hoped she could provide her children an escape from their grinding poverty, a chance to attend school beyond the sixth grade.” (Nazario Prologue X). There are programs put in place such as financial aid (FAFSA, Cal Grant, etc...) in order to help students, from lower and middle-class families, to become successful and have similar