Argumentation Essay

In the article How Fares the Dream? Paul Krugman focuses specifically on
economic inequality as the main reason for social divisions in American culture. He
states that economic inequality has replaced racism as the new threat to national
unity by dividing Americans into a rigid class system. I disagree and believe that
racism remains the prevalent issue of American culture. However, Krugmans belief
that economic inequality and income mobility leads to social injustice is accurate.

To me, the segregation of America is due to racial inequality rather than the
wage gap. Krugman believes otherwise as he says that, what we actually became
is a nation that judges people not by the color of their skin but by the size of their
paychecks. Krugman makes the absurd claim that the wage gap has become the
main issue in America over racial biases. He suggests that people are being judged
on their income instead of their skin color. But, I believe that the facts are blatant as
the Federal Bureau of Investigation claims that 47% of hate crimes are racially
motivated. Krugmans generic statement that the wage gap is the new racism
lacks the explanation to describe how the wage gap is segregating America. On the
other hand, the FBIs data suggest that racism is still an issue in America and is
leading to segregation; colored individuals are judged based on appearance and
therefore harmed. This issue is also discussed in Brent Staples essay Just Walk on
By where Staples describes racial inequality as a wide-spread conviction. Black men
are judged based on ethnicity and preconceived notions and are therefore disjointed
from society. Some may say that economic inequality is a bigger issue because it
affects more people, and this claim is absolutely correct. Millions of people will be
affected by economic inequality as they struggle to achieve the American Dream of
economic prosperity, but even still, these individuals hopes and dreams do not
outweigh the dangers of racism and the threat on national unity. While racial
inequality is an undeniable belief where no action may be taken, the wage gap is a
measuring cup of capability that can possibly be changed by the individual.
Changing the unchangeable is the first step America must take towards unity.

The class system being made due to income may not be as big as an issue as
racial equality, but it is still threatens the unity of Americans. Currently, economic
inequality has begun to grow, as income mobility has begun to become harder to
achieve. This therefore has made achieving the middle class harder, and as
Krugman states, income at the top soared but the majority continued to struggle
as income at the bottom stagnated. Krugman implies that the wage gap has
continued to increase as low income families begin to find it harder to climb the
social ladder and obtain financial security causing a division in society. This is shown
in the Atlantic Newspaper as roughly half of parental income advantages are
passed onto the next generation. This describes the difficulty of changing your
income mobility whether stuck at the bottom or high at the top of revenue which
could further isolate groups in society. Some may say that the wage gap is due to a
pragmatic development of society as individuals who can make a genuine impact
rise to the top, while others either stagnate or relinquish their wages. But, the
depression of 2008 is an event that disproves this idea. While some individuals lost
their jobs, their wage income did not accurately reflect how they could impact
society. Therefore, proper opportunity must be given to all members of society in
order to grow a more unified America.

How Fares the Dream? by Paul Krugman raises legitimate concerns over the
issues of unity regarding economic inequality and does an acceptable job of
analyzing the threats America could face to unify society. But, I believe that the true
threat to American unity lies in social inequality rather than income inequality.
Racism is more dangerous than income inequality and while the wage gap does
prove to be a meaningful threat to unity, solving the issue of racism would make a
more unified American society.