Key words: Status and Achieved Position
This picture was taken outside of the Elliott School of International Affairs in front of the 7/11 and across the street from the GSA Federal Credit Union. Usually in the mornings, there is a homeless man in front of the 7/11 commonly asking students or anyone who passes by for money. This exemplifies status as the homeless man would be deemed lower of lower status compared to those who pass by him. Status is defined as a person’s position or standing in society. It is determined by factors such as individuals’ lifestyles, the goods they own, their leisure activities, as well as their linguistic styles. By this framework of status, the homeless man would be deemed of lower status because he does not own many goods, has a lifestyle of begging, and relies on others for his wellbeing. Additionally, his speech is marked by slang and incorrect use of the English language that can be associated with the linguistic styles of the less fortunate. Other measures that would define status would include education, power, and material resources. I would infer that the homeless man does not necessarily have much power over his current life or a substantial enough education to provide him ease in finding a job.
In stark contrast to the homeless man, across the street there is the looming GSA Federal Credit Union where the individuals who walk in mirror each other with similar business suits and briefcases. These individuals may be deemed of higher status as they likely have similar characteristics of higher education, more prominent lifestyles, and a larger consumption of material goods. The GSA workers may also provide an example of achieved position as defined as a person’s standing in society based on qualities that the person has gained through action. If the GSA workers have gained their jobs through their own hard work and efforts, they would be examples of individuals with achieved positions. This means the individuals have gained access into the GSA group through their own achievements. This could mean the individuals’ succeeded in the academic world, went to well ranked colleges, and successfully curated meaningful resumes for the GSA position.