Wealth.
I have never thought much about my class. I grew up in China. China was poor in the 90s and Guangzhou was apparently farm field when my parents moved there. I grew up in a two bedroom apartment downtown. I still remember going to the supermarket and begging for a pair of jeans. I was one of those 4 year-olds who loved dresses and new clothes never hurt.
I went to Thailand when I was 5 with my parents. I went to Australia with my ballet group when I was 7. I went to Saipan when I was 10. I went to Japan, Korea, America, etc.
I never thought about class. My parents never talked about class. My mom occasionally hinted that the workers all moved from the rural areas into the city and that they made the city dirty. My mom sometimes even hinted that my dad never got rid of his “farmer habits” including drinking water out of a bowl or cooking using animal fat, etc.
I never gave much thought about going to a private middle school. I noticed that girls in my school had trendy clothes and shoes and they got haircuts that were over 50RMB. My haircut also happened in the back alley near my apartment for maximum 10RMB. I mean, how can I be rich?
I casually graduated and decided to go abroad. I went to an all-girls boarding school in NC. I still remember when I went through customs the officer said: “Wow, your high school tuition is someone’s annual income. Damn that’s expensive.” I shopped in high school, like a lot, because it was the first time I ever had freedom to choose what I wear. 11 years of ugly school uniform has pushed me to the opposite side of things. Still, I never thought much about money. I mean, isn’t it normal to use a credit card attached to your mom’s account? Not to mention the hundred thousands of dollars my parents have put into my private college tuition. Meanwhile, I did not really work during my time at Haverford and went out to the city, dinners, happy hours as a regular. I could book plane tickets to Chicago for my fall break without worries. I flew to Honolulu, HI my freshman year spring break. I could, in some ways go wherever I want. Well, having a Chinese passport could be the only downside but it is also getting better now.
When I was a junior in college, I was drawn to investment banking. I wanted it because of its prestige and also wealth and power that come with it. These days in America, if you are not wealthy, can you even live? Who’s even still in middle class and how they surviving? All the lifestyle Instagrams and blogs remind you how much money you need to survive in this nation. In a capitalist society, you better be wealthy.
For the first time in my life, I too, am a wealthy girl. Born in China, but no less privileged than my American wealthy peers. Unfortunately, as a 23 year-old I don’t think I have figured out how to balance my wealth and all the social consciousness that I have developed during my years at Haverford. I guess we will see.
