One thing I have noticed in my time in the United States is that, while everyone talks about racism, the bigger, unspoken problem is classism (which includes levels of racism, considering the amount of poor African-Americans)

When I moved to Ohio, the first thing I noticed was that front-of-house people were nicer than in Canada. Then a few weeks later I realized that as soon as I was finished with my purchase, or it was made clear that I was not immediately purchasing something, there was a distinct change in attitude. I was no longer useful to them, so I didn't warrant any niceties. In my experience, the vast majority of people who are nice to you in America (or at the very least, my sample size of 1 in northeastern Ohio and Northern New York), are looking for something from you.

In a way, this, and the classism, I mentioned are the bleeding-out of the "American Dream" of the 1950s and 60s. If someone isn't successful, it is their fault, and if someone falls on hard times, they must have done something wrong or something to deserve it, because in the Land of the Free, if you just work hard enough, you will succeed.

I will work harder, says Boxer.

That alone isn't enough to create the poisonous situation that this article describes, however, where as JakobVirgil so eloquently points out, even the poor hate the poor. The reason (as far as I can tell), comes from the disconnect that people have between their own situation and the situation of others.

"I'm in a really hard situation with extenuating circumstances" says the woman shopping at the 24hr Save-a-Lot after her 15-hour janitorial shift, "But at least I'm working on making my life better. Not like that shaggy doofus in the bleach-stained shirt behind me. Gentle Jesus, have a little self respect and work harder, why don't you?"

"I'm in a really hard situation with extenuating circumstances" says the man shopping at the 24hr Save-a-Lot on the way in to his overnight Order Picker shift at the warehouse, "But at least I'm working on making my life better. Not like this grubby lady in front of me. Who does she think she is with those gold earrings? maybe you should save your welfare check instead of spending it on bullshit like jewelry."

That's the sort of shit I see happening everywhere. That cognitive disconnect is all over. I'm as guilty as anyone else (though I'm trying to fix it now after years of unconscious prejudice).

- Sample size of 1.