Defining Elitism
I’ve often both scoffed at claims of elitism when levied against others, as well as defended myself against the same charges. I’ve even called other people elitist for criticizing certain forms of entertainment as trash, while they lauded others (that seemed to have equal merit, or lack thereof). And, as a liberal and a Democrat, I’ve heard claims of elitism levied against my political belief system and my party. I’ve also levied those same complaints against Republicans.
Throughout all this claiming of or defending against elitism, I’m not sure I ever had a specific concrete bit of evidence that I could use to state what elitism is. But I was just reading the August issue of Bon Appétit and came across a quote from a chef (Peter Hoffman) they were interviewing.
Q: If someone says to you “I don’t shop at farmers’ markets because they’re too expensive,” how do you respond?
A: Get with it. That is the real cost of food. Vote with your fork and your belly, and support the opportunity to buy directly from farmers and eat better food by buying from them.
Suddenly, it struck me; this was absolute elitism! So, based on this quote, here’s my definition of elitism: the act of disregarding ideas, statements, perceptions, or creations, while ignoring a central truth associated with such. I reserve the right to revise the definition at any time.
Based on this definition, the fact that Barack Obama is not very good at bowling does not make him an elitist. The fact that McCain’s economic advisor Phil Gramm called the nation a “bunch of whiners” does make him an elitist. That Obama said that certain people, in times of uncertainty, cling to guns and religion, actually makes him the opposite of an elitist. He is openly embracing a central truth, while others choose to ignore it (that people are scared, et cetera).
In terms of food, my aunt related an anecdote she recalled from George Bush I reelection campaign in 1992. He was in a grocery store and was asked how much a loaf of bread cost. His guess (and it truly was a guess): $3. When he got to the register to purchase some food, he had no money in his wallet. To put it mildly, the guy was out of touch.
It’s the same for McCain. Barack Obama got his schooling through hardwork and loans. McCain went to college at the United States Naval Academy, where you can only get in with a letter from a US Senator. He also graduated in the bottom five in his class (that’s people, not percent). So how is it possible that Obama’s high intelligence makes him an elitist? If anything, being smarter makes you less likely to be an elitist, if you keep yourself well-informed and in touch.
Anyway, long story short, I think it’s ludicrous to call Barack Obama an elitist, unless there is concrete proof that he really is out of touch, ignoring important issues, and generally not representing the people. If it’s simply the fact that he’s a US Senator, then it can’t possibly that he’s any more elitist than McCain, rendering the whole argument moot.
Obama 2008!
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