Class Division in America Virtual Tour
The Museum of American Segregation takes into account the reality of division in America. Divisions that range from pay at the office, race, religion, and class. Located in downtown Manhattan, the museum is in prime location to have plenty of year round visitors. Designers of the Museum of American Segregation took into consideration the diversity of The City to influence its varying exhibits.
The newest and most controversial exhibit recently opened 2 weeks ago at the NYC 7th Ave location. Titled the “Class Division in America”, this exhibit speaks volumes about a generally silent everyday issue in America. In a capitalistic government like America, money is the driving force behind our world. Without capital, one cannot survive, and with it, one can also isolate themselves into exclusive communities. Creators of this exhibit payed attention to every detail of class division to bring to life the most realistic version of a commonly overlooked problem in American History.
Creators used the different divisions of class in America to create the outline and build of the entire exhibit. From the Lower Class, to the Middle Class, all the way to the Upper Class, Americans are divided based on their socioeconomic status compared to their peers. To exemplify this detail, the exhibit is divided into three different levels, starting in the lower class. The concept of “Climbing up the Ladder” to advance ones status was taken into literal consideration from designers. Therefore, to go from level to level, visitors must climb a physical ladder. To symbolize the struggle to advance from class to class in reality, there is only space for 1 visitor on the ladder, and to pass other visitors to get to another level faster, you must climb around or over them. However, as visitors climb higher and advance to higher levels, the levels become smaller and smaller. As the visitors began to become fewer and fewer at higher levels, the levels become more and more exclusive, all while getting more elegant and grandiose. This is to help give a physical representation of the way our country is set up, fewer people with more money than them majority of Americans. Very similar to the structure of the Ancient pyramids or even the Ziggurats, designers were able to create the parallel that as members of the higher classes continue to make more money, they get closer to a “Heaven on Earth” type lifestyle.
Curators decided it was best to not add a soundtrack to the tour solely based on the reason that although music speaks volumes to the different classes, it was subjective to each member of the class and was unfair to categorize them that way. The images and physical aspects of the exhibit are supposed to be the “loudest” part about the visitor experience.
On Level 1, “The Lower Class”, the first 3 Images help to give visitors a taste of the lifestyle of many Lower class Americans. With barbed wire fence neighborhoods, lower class citizens are depicted as ghetto and the minority. Relying on public transportation, like the city bus in the second photo, to get to their minimum wage paying jobs. This is to show the struggle of lower class citizens who usually don’t have the resources for their own modes of transportation. Image 3 depicts the common theme of a ghetto. With graffiti over the walls of the streets, lower class citizens are characterized as rebellious and disrespectful of their communities.
On Level 2, “The Silent Majority”, the Middle class is represented by images 4-6. These images help to capture the true essence of the largest class in America. Often called “Blue Collar Workers” , as seen by the image of the blue suit, the working class of America uses its resources to support their family and daily needs. Designers call this class the silent majority because so much attention is given to the disparities between the Lower Class and the Upper Class, causing middle class citizens to often be lost in discussions. Image 5 speaks to the respectable homes many members of this group have. Image 6 depicts the lifestyle of the working class who often take breaks throughout their busy schedules to enjoy their life, placing an emphasis on quality time with family and friends, something the other classes do not always do.
Level 3, “The Elites”, represent the smallest level with the most grandiose furniture and image one can imagine. By representing the Upper class, the last 4 images of the Exhibit help to capture the grand lifestyle of upper class citizens. Although many visitors fail to climb the ladder to reach this level, those who do are in line for an amazing experience. Image 7 helps to represent the common elite of society and their common attire with top hats and other expensive accessories. Image 8 depicts the help many of these fortunate members of America get at home, with their countless home maidens to do menial house tasks. Image 9 describes the prestigious and often expensive college education many upper class members receive. To conclude the tour of the exhibit of the tour with a similar outlook on how it started, image 10 uses a “White Pickett” fence to contrast the “Barbed Wire” look in the Lower Class.
The “Class Division in America” plans to be open for the next 10 Months at the Museum of American Segregation, located at the NYC 7th Ave Location. Come visit us as soon as possible for an interactive and eye opening exhibit which highlights the current issue of class division in America.
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