How the Wealth Gap Is Reshaping Politics | Xochitl Gonzalez | TED

I'm here to tell you a story about I'm here to tell you a story about getting a cup of coffee. getting a cup of coffee. getting a cup of coffee. Or I should say attempting to get a cup Or I should say attempting to get a cup Or I should say attempting to get a cup of coffee because when I went to pay for of coffee because when I went to pay for of coffee because when I went to pay for it, I couldn't. This is about a year and it, I couldn't. This is about a year and it, I couldn't. This is about a year and a half ago and there was nothing wrong a half ago and there was nothing wrong a half ago and there was nothing wrong with my card's chip, the store's reader with my card's chip, the store's reader with my card's chip, the store's reader was fine. The problem was with my bank was fine. The problem was with my bank was fine. The problem was with my bank account, it was empty. account, it was empty. account, it was empty. Now, a rational person would have just Now, a rational person would have just Now, a rational person would have just taken out another card, but in that taken out another card, but in that taken out another card, but in that moment there was nothing rational about moment there was nothing rational about moment there was nothing rational about me. My chest tightened, my jaw clenched, me. My chest tightened, my jaw clenched, me. My chest tightened, my jaw clenched, my cortisol spiked. I lost all awareness my cortisol spiked. I lost all awareness my cortisol spiked. I lost all awareness of a purse with a wallet and other of a purse with a wallet and other of a purse with a wallet and other pieces of plastic inside of it and pieces of plastic inside of it and pieces of plastic inside of it and instead I just apologized profusely, instead I just apologized profusely, instead I just apologized profusely, walked out the door and burst into walked out the door and burst into walked out the door and burst into tears. tears. tears. Dramatic? A tad. But my reaction had Dramatic? A tad. But my reaction had Dramatic? A tad. But my reaction had very little to do with who I am in this very little to do with who I am in this very little to do with who I am in this moment, a New York Times bestselling moment, a New York Times bestselling moment, a New York Times bestselling author, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a author, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a author, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, a homeowner, and it had everything to do homeowner, and it had everything to do homeowner, and it had everything to do with who I once was. with who I once was. with who I once was. A working-class girl from South Brooklyn A working-class girl from South Brooklyn A working-class girl from South Brooklyn who didn't grow up with much.

who didn't grow up with much. who didn't grow up with much. Despite our nation's reputation as a Despite our nation's reputation as a Despite our nation's reputation as a land of opportunity, the truth is upward land of opportunity, the truth is upward land of opportunity, the truth is upward social mobility in America is actually social mobility in America is actually social mobility in America is actually quite arduous and less than 10% of quite arduous and less than 10% of quite arduous and less than 10% of people that start out like me on the people that start out like me on the people that start out like me on the bottom rungs of the economic ladder ever bottom rungs of the economic ladder ever bottom rungs of the economic ladder ever manage to make it to the top. And manage to make it to the top. And manage to make it to the top. And somehow I did. So while it was a somehow I did. So while it was a somehow I did. So while it was a temporary problem paying for the coffee temporary problem paying for the coffee temporary problem paying for the coffee that day, you know, I moved things that day, you know, I moved things that day, you know, I moved things around, other accounts, that panic in my around, other accounts, that panic in my around, other accounts, that panic in my body was known from before, from 2009 body was known from before, from 2009 body was known from before, from 2009 when I was struggling to get my small when I was struggling to get my small when I was struggling to get my small business through the Great Recession, business through the Great Recession, business through the Great Recession, from 1998 when I was working my way from 1998 when I was working my way from 1998 when I was working my way through college and there was no other through college and there was no other through college and there was no other account to pull from or parent or account to pull from or parent or account to pull from or parent or relative to call, all the other times relative to call, all the other times relative to call, all the other times that I was living like so many of my that I was living like so many of my that I was living like so many of my fellow Americans from paycheck to fellow Americans from paycheck to fellow Americans from paycheck to paycheck. paycheck. paycheck. It's no secret that we are living in a It's no secret that we are living in a It's no secret that we are living in a time of wealth inequality not seen since time of wealth inequality not seen since time of wealth inequality not seen since the Gilded Age, but too often it's the Gilded Age, but too often it's the Gilded Age, but too often it's talked about with the clinical distance talked about with the clinical distance talked about with the clinical distance of other people's problems. An of other people's problems. An of other people's problems. An inconvenience that we wish somebody inconvenience that we wish somebody inconvenience that we wish somebody would do something about. And far less would do something about. And far less would do something about. And far less discussed is the shared urgent discussed is the shared urgent >> [laughter] >> like threat that this poses to our >> like threat that this poses to our >> like threat that this poses to our democracy. And if we don't start talking democracy. And if we don't start talking democracy. And if we don't start talking about income inequality like the civic about income inequality like the civic about income inequality like the civic issue it needs to be, we will surely issue it needs to be, we will surely issue it needs to be, we will surely slide further towards autocracy than we slide further towards autocracy than we slide further towards autocracy than we already have. Maybe irrevocably so.

already have. Maybe irrevocably so. already have. Maybe irrevocably so. Part of the problem is even though we're Part of the problem is even though we're Part of the problem is even though we're a capitalistic society, we fascinatingly a capitalistic society, we fascinatingly a capitalistic society, we fascinatingly hate talking about money. hate talking about money. hate talking about money. Like a lot of you, I have an Aura Ring. Like a lot of you, I have an Aura Ring. Like a lot of you, I have an Aura Ring. And the day of the coffee incident, it And the day of the coffee incident, it And the day of the coffee incident, it told me I'd experienced an unusual told me I'd experienced an unusual told me I'd experienced an unusual amount of stress that day. And amount of stress that day. And amount of stress that day. And it gave me a few reasons, work, bad it gave me a few reasons, work, bad it gave me a few reasons, work, bad sleep. And maybe it's because Aura is sleep. And maybe it's because Aura is sleep. And maybe it's because Aura is from Finland, but money wasn't an from Finland, but money wasn't an from Finland, but money wasn't an option, which is unfortunate because in option, which is unfortunate because in option, which is unfortunate because in America, financial anxiety is linked to America, financial anxiety is linked to America, financial anxiety is linked to things like hypertension, depression, things like hypertension, depression, things like hypertension, depression, and even reduced lifespan. and even reduced lifespan. and even reduced lifespan. But it all got me thinking, well, if But it all got me thinking, well, if But it all got me thinking, well, if money can impact our health, how does money can impact our health, how does money can impact our health, how does having money or not having money impact having money or not having money impact having money or not having money impact our behavior and our our thoughts? How our behavior and our our thoughts? How our behavior and our our thoughts? How does our socioeconomic situation impact does our socioeconomic situation impact does our socioeconomic situation impact the way we see politics and the way we the way we see politics and the way we the way we see politics and the way we vote? And for the last year, I have been vote? And for the last year, I have been vote? And for the last year, I have been on a deep dive into the sociology and on a deep dive into the sociology and on a deep dive into the sociology and psychology of social class. And what psychology of social class. And what psychology of social class. And what I've discovered may surprise you.

I've discovered may surprise you. I've discovered may surprise you. We're accustomed to thinking about our We're accustomed to thinking about our We're accustomed to thinking about our social class as little more than a social class as little more than a social class as little more than a matter of what's in our bank account, if matter of what's in our bank account, if matter of what's in our bank account, if you own a home or if you rent. But you own a home or if you rent. But you own a home or if you rent. But scientists have found that your social scientists have found that your social scientists have found that your social class of origin plays nearly as large a class of origin plays nearly as large a class of origin plays nearly as large a role in shaping your identity as your role in shaping your identity as your role in shaping your identity as your race, gender, or sexuality. And that race, gender, or sexuality. And that race, gender, or sexuality. And that children become aware of their own children become aware of their own children become aware of their own social class standing just a little social class standing just a little social class standing just a little later than they become aware of their later than they become aware of their later than they become aware of their race and gender. In fact, kids as young race and gender. In fact, kids as young race and gender. In fact, kids as young as seven can, with outrageous accuracy, as seven can, with outrageous accuracy, as seven can, with outrageous accuracy, correctly identify somebody else's correctly identify somebody else's correctly identify somebody else's social class just by looking at a photo. social class just by looking at a photo. social class just by looking at a photo. Your social class doesn't just impact Your social class doesn't just impact Your social class doesn't just impact who you are. It impacts the way you who you are. It impacts the way you who you are. It impacts the way you think. It's one of the least discussed think. It's one of the least discussed think. It's one of the least discussed topics in America and yet it's silently topics in America and yet it's silently topics in America and yet it's silently at play in so many aspects of our at play in so many aspects of our at play in so many aspects of our society. Growing up with resources or society. Growing up with resources or society. Growing up with resources or growing up in scarcity affects the way growing up in scarcity affects the way growing up in scarcity affects the way you see the world, your place in it, how you see the world, your place in it, how you see the world, your place in it, how you make decisions, and how you see big you make decisions, and how you see big you make decisions, and how you see big abstract things like the role of abstract things like the role of abstract things like the role of government or the very idea of democracy government or the very idea of democracy government or the very idea of democracy itself.

itself. itself. See, the well-resourced child is born See, the well-resourced child is born See, the well-resourced child is born into a place of security. And with their into a place of security. And with their into a place of security. And with their basic needs having been met, their basic needs having been met, their basic needs having been met, their parents can set out to getting them to parents can set out to getting them to parents can set out to getting them to thrive. And in America, that often means thrive. And in America, that often means thrive. And in America, that often means distinguishing oneself as an individual. distinguishing oneself as an individual. distinguishing oneself as an individual. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> Exhibiting agency, the choices one makes >> Exhibiting agency, the choices one makes >> Exhibiting agency, the choices one makes about extracurriculars, what college you about extracurriculars, what college you about extracurriculars, what college you go to, your career, and eventually your go to, your career, and eventually your go to, your career, and eventually your political party affiliation, these political party affiliation, these political party affiliation, these aren't just matters of selection, aren't just matters of selection, aren't just matters of selection, they're statements of identity. they're statements of identity. they're statements of identity. And essentially, the way you present And essentially, the way you present And essentially, the way you present yourself to the world. So, if you want yourself to the world. So, if you want yourself to the world. So, if you want to think about a typical middle-class to think about a typical middle-class to think about a typical middle-class hero, it would be Neo from The Matrix. hero, it would be Neo from The Matrix. hero, it would be Neo from The Matrix. He's just toiling away in that office He's just toiling away in that office He's just toiling away in that office job, and then his hero's journey begins job, and then his hero's journey begins job, and then his hero's journey begins when he makes a choice. Will it be the when he makes a choice. Will it be the when he makes a choice. Will it be the red pill or the blue pill? red pill or the blue pill? red pill or the blue pill? Now, for the child born into scarcity, Now, for the child born into scarcity, Now, for the child born into scarcity, which is almost 40% of children in which is almost 40% of children in which is almost 40% of children in America today, things are far more America today, things are far more America today, things are far more precarious. precarious. precarious. Security is not guaranteed. The world Security is not guaranteed. The world Security is not guaranteed. The world feels beyond your control because at any feels beyond your control because at any feels beyond your control because at any moment, something could present itself, moment, something could present itself, moment, something could present itself, a landlord, an unexpected medical bill, a landlord, an unexpected medical bill, a landlord, an unexpected medical bill, that throws everything into a tailspin.

that throws everything into a tailspin. that throws everything into a tailspin. And so, security is found in groups, and And so, security is found in groups, and And so, security is found in groups, and conformity is encouraged, and expressing conformity is encouraged, and expressing conformity is encouraged, and expressing your own sense of agency is is important your own sense of agency is is important your own sense of agency is is important than staying true to who you are in the than staying true to who you are in the than staying true to who you are in the face of constant adversity. face of constant adversity. face of constant adversity. Think about the cop, John McClane, in Think about the cop, John McClane, in Think about the cop, John McClane, in the blockbuster hit Die Hard. He doesn't the blockbuster hit Die Hard. He doesn't the blockbuster hit Die Hard. He doesn't show up to that Christmas party looking show up to that Christmas party looking show up to that Christmas party looking for trouble, but he's going to fight for for trouble, but he's going to fight for for trouble, but he's going to fight for who he loves, his wife, and what he took who he loves, his wife, and what he took who he loves, his wife, and what he took a vow to defend, the law. a vow to defend, the law. a vow to defend, the law. These two groups don't just think These two groups don't just think These two groups don't just think differently, they rarely converge, differently, they rarely converge, differently, they rarely converge, living and working and worshipping living and working and worshipping living and working and worshipping separate from each other. separate from each other. separate from each other. Essentially, only socializing with Essentially, only socializing with Essentially, only socializing with people of very similar circumstances. people of very similar circumstances. people of very similar circumstances. And so, individual worldviews convene And so, individual worldviews convene And so, individual worldviews convene and hardened into class cultures. and hardened into class cultures. and hardened into class cultures. Cultures with very different ideas of Cultures with very different ideas of Cultures with very different ideas of what good governance and leadership even what good governance and leadership even what good governance and leadership even looks like. looks like. looks like. Now, for generations, America's humble Now, for generations, America's humble Now, for generations, America's humble middle class existed between these two middle class existed between these two middle class existed between these two groups, like cartilage between bone. groups, like cartilage between bone. groups, like cartilage between bone. But, as the top 1% of households has But, as the top 1% of households has But, as the top 1% of households has accrued the same amount of wealth as the accrued the same amount of wealth as the accrued the same amount of wealth as the bottom 90% combined, that cartilage has bottom 90% combined, that cartilage has bottom 90% combined, that cartilage has grown thin.

grown thin. grown thin. And essentially, our middle class has And essentially, our middle class has And essentially, our middle class has been replaced by a comfort class. been replaced by a comfort class. been replaced by a comfort class. The children of the upper class who on The children of the upper class who on The children of the upper class who on paper may not be rich, but who live with paper may not be rich, but who live with paper may not be rich, but who live with the security of a familial safety net. the security of a familial safety net. the security of a familial safety net. Often [snorts] working the kind of Often [snorts] working the kind of Often [snorts] working the kind of mid-pay, high-prestige jobs that mid-pay, high-prestige jobs that mid-pay, high-prestige jobs that influence a lot of American culture and influence a lot of American culture and influence a lot of American culture and policy. policy. policy. And the result is almost a class And the result is almost a class And the result is almost a class apartheid, where a small group of people apartheid, where a small group of people apartheid, where a small group of people with generational wealth control a with generational wealth control a with generational wealth control a society whose culture they don't fully society whose culture they don't fully society whose culture they don't fully understand. understand. understand. Our politicians, many of which are Our politicians, many of which are Our politicians, many of which are millionaires, their staffers and millionaires, their staffers and millionaires, their staffers and consultants, all come up from a place consultants, all come up from a place consultants, all come up from a place where money has afforded them a sense of where money has afforded them a sense of where money has afforded them a sense of agency and control. Such that they have agency and control. Such that they have agency and control. Such that they have a tendency to overestimate their a tendency to overestimate their a tendency to overestimate their influence on politics and the power of influence on politics and the power of influence on politics and the power of their own supporters' votes. The donor their own supporters' votes. The donor their own supporters' votes. The donor class, unfamiliar with that class, unfamiliar with that class, unfamiliar with that physiological panic that need can physiological panic that need can physiological panic that need can induce, tend to vote on social issues induce, tend to vote on social issues induce, tend to vote on social issues and look to support candidates who and look to support candidates who and look to support candidates who mirror their values. But, that need is mirror their values. But, that need is mirror their values. But, that need is still very, very real.

still very, very real. still very, very real. An anecdote. An anecdote. An anecdote. In college, I was paired with a lovely In college, I was paired with a lovely In college, I was paired with a lovely roommate from an upper middle class roommate from an upper middle class roommate from an upper middle class background. And one night, I decided to background. And one night, I decided to background. And one night, I decided to splurge and go and join her for an splurge and go and join her for an splurge and go and join her for an Italian meal out, carefully packing up Italian meal out, carefully packing up Italian meal out, carefully packing up my leftovers. my leftovers. my leftovers. But, the next day when I went to the But, the next day when I went to the But, the next day when I went to the fridge, my eggplant parm was gone. The fridge, my eggplant parm was gone. The fridge, my eggplant parm was gone. The victim of my roommate's late-night victim of my roommate's late-night victim of my roommate's late-night drunchie. drunchie. drunchie. I flew into a rage, and my poor I flew into a rage, and my poor I flew into a rage, and my poor bewildered roommate could not bewildered roommate could not bewildered roommate could not understand. But, to her it was an understand. But, to her it was an understand. But, to her it was an inconsiderate snack, and to me it was my inconsiderate snack, and to me it was my inconsiderate snack, and to me it was my next meal that I thought I'd already next meal that I thought I'd already next meal that I thought I'd already paid for. And now, I was left to stretch paid for. And now, I was left to stretch paid for. And now, I was left to stretch my dollar another day. my dollar another day. my dollar another day. It's easy to judge people for voting It's easy to judge people for voting It's easy to judge people for voting based on the price of eggs when you are based on the price of eggs when you are based on the price of eggs when you are certain where your next meal is coming certain where your next meal is coming certain where your next meal is coming from. from. from. But, for the financially struggling in But, for the financially struggling in But, for the financially struggling in America, politics, little in democracy, America, politics, little in democracy, America, politics, little in democracy, can seem a secondary concern, and can seem a secondary concern, and can seem a secondary concern, and sometimes just an irrelevant one, which sometimes just an irrelevant one, which sometimes just an irrelevant one, which is why you see so many lower-income is why you see so many lower-income is why you see so many lower-income Americans not not participating in Americans not not participating in Americans not not participating in democracy in the first place. And democracy in the first place. And democracy in the first place. And equally concerning is that often when equally concerning is that often when equally concerning is that often when they do, they tend to support they do, they tend to support they do, they tend to support authoritarian-leaning figures.

authoritarian-leaning figures. authoritarian-leaning figures. From Hungary to Turkey, Senegal to the From Hungary to Turkey, Senegal to the From Hungary to Turkey, Senegal to the Philippines, researchers have found a Philippines, researchers have found a Philippines, researchers have found a consistent correlation between economic consistent correlation between economic consistent correlation between economic inequality, the decline of democracy, inequality, the decline of democracy, inequality, the decline of democracy, and the rise of strongman leaders. The and the rise of strongman leaders. The and the rise of strongman leaders. The kinds of people that promise to fix kinds of people that promise to fix kinds of people that promise to fix working people's problems, often by working people's problems, often by working people's problems, often by sowing divisions and blaming an other, sowing divisions and blaming an other, sowing divisions and blaming an other, which is a very reliable tactic because which is a very reliable tactic because which is a very reliable tactic because precarity also correlates to increases precarity also correlates to increases precarity also correlates to increases of racism and xenophobia. of racism and xenophobia. of racism and xenophobia. There's still yet another group that There's still yet another group that There's still yet another group that tends to emerge in these historic tends to emerge in these historic tends to emerge in these historic moments of deep economic disparity, and moments of deep economic disparity, and moments of deep economic disparity, and they choose to great benefit in they choose to great benefit in they choose to great benefit in autocracy and patronage and all sorts of autocracy and patronage and all sorts of autocracy and patronage and all sorts of other undemocratic practices. other undemocratic practices. other undemocratic practices. In the Gilded Age, we called them robber In the Gilded Age, we called them robber In the Gilded Age, we called them robber barons. In post-Soviet Russia, we called barons. In post-Soviet Russia, we called barons. In post-Soviet Russia, we called them oligarchs. Today, we call them them oligarchs. Today, we call them them oligarchs. Today, we call them billionaires, able to live above the billionaires, able to live above the billionaires, able to live above the law, exchanging donations for business law, exchanging donations for business law, exchanging donations for business monopolies and government contracts. For monopolies and government contracts. For monopolies and government contracts. For very different reasons than the very different reasons than the very different reasons than the financially struggling, they see great financially struggling, they see great financially struggling, they see great benefit in autocracy.

benefit in autocracy. benefit in autocracy. Economic inequality is like the heart Economic inequality is like the heart Economic inequality is like the heart disease of democracy, so often ignored disease of democracy, so often ignored disease of democracy, so often ignored until it's too late, a threat to our until it's too late, a threat to our until it's too late, a threat to our very way of life. To fix it, we've got very way of life. To fix it, we've got very way of life. To fix it, we've got to stop distancing from each other and to stop distancing from each other and to stop distancing from each other and from the issue. We need to support from the issue. We need to support from the issue. We need to support candidates that will buttress the candidates that will buttress the candidates that will buttress the working and middle class, but we also working and middle class, but we also working and middle class, but we also need to know each other, to have empathy need to know each other, to have empathy need to know each other, to have empathy outside of our backyard, to cultivate outside of our backyard, to cultivate outside of our backyard, to cultivate compassion beyond our socioeconomic compassion beyond our socioeconomic compassion beyond our socioeconomic bracket, because it's so easy to rail bracket, because it's so easy to rail bracket, because it's so easy to rail online at strangers and much harder to online at strangers and much harder to online at strangers and much harder to ignore the problems of our friends and ignore the problems of our friends and ignore the problems of our friends and neighbors. Thank you. neighbors. Thank you. neighbors. Thank you. >> [applause]