The “American Dream” is one hell of a drug.

NB: This essay is going to be a bit rambly as I explore issues of workforce, economics, and how it all plays out in academics. If this essay isn’t something you’re enjoying, please explore other articles / essays.

Sometimes it is easier to see structural issues as they affect a society than it is to see how they affect one person — yourself — in particular. I have spoken out many times about the problem with the great American myth that if a person works hard enough, they are capable of becoming anything. The reality is, sometimes no work is needed; you just need to come from the right set of parents. A recent issue of People sent social media into a frenzy as it detailed out “Nepotism Babies” in Hollywood and people asked if these next-generation actors would have had the same breaks without their famous parents. It has become a joke to chat about “What does it take to become a business magnate? Get up at 5am, exercise daily, learn how to maintain inbox 0, and… have a rich parent.” We have reached the point where people like me joke about how nice it could be to spend just one day as a white male of a wealthy-enough background, while we also acknowledge our own privileges (I’m an over-educated, middle-class white lady), and tilt at windmills as we try to make the world a little bit more equitable.

I know we don’t live in a meritocracy. I know that the world isn’t fair. I know someone can work as hard as they can everyday of their life and still end up homeless in old age.