I have to say that I was very disturbed by comments made in the past essays we have been assigned to read. That so-called educated, professional individuals have made such IGNORANT comments simply astounds me. Marginalized people often strive to make a meager existence. That seems, to me, to be ignored. To call poverty a cultural pathology rather than the response to institutionalized disadvantages, again, leaves me in disbelief. Essays #12, #13, and #19 indicate that there is, indeed, an issue of social inequality that causes various dilemmas in the 'underclass'. But then again, who has the right to deem someone or peoples of a certain race as an UNDERCLASS? Does a degree give you that right? I understand that there are people at low, middle, and high class levels...but simply UNDER? Simply not even on a level?! That is ridiculous to me. Yet then again, I do not have a degree in sociology oy economics like the "experts" who so frankly gave bits of their expertise in these essays that reach many readers, and help influence decision makers. Many people in the majority do not understand or oftentimes even ATTEMPT to understand what it is like to be part of what others call an "underclass". High economic status and the indicators thereof, are much easier to come by when you look like one of the few in power who make decisions. I suppose that people are ignorant, and will remain so until they experience the life of those they deem less than themselves. Otherwise, no empathy is used when making these decisions that don't affect them, the white, priveleged upper class policymakers.