On Hiding Privilege

Old School Hall at Punahou: to deny or embrace?

To the disappointment of those who believe that economic difference trumps all other identities, race and gender continue to define the Presidential race. Yet discussions of whether or not America ready for a Black President, or if a female candidate will promote the best interests of women only offer opportunities for speculation and delusional spurts of optimism. It seems that many Americans want a President who inspires their trust¸ and since no one wants to explicitly talk about race or age, questions about Obama and McCain’s class backgrounds surround both campaigns. Both have been called out for being too privileged to understand that ambiguous demographic of the “average American,” group becoming more important to woo as the economy speeds south.

Obama’s so-called ‘out-of touch’ comments about ‘bitter, gun-loving,’ working class white people were assumed to be a reflection of his elite education and lack of experience. McCain’s resume includes an heiress wife, a decorated naval family, and so many homes that he can’t keep count. McCain even had to placate voters with an absurd announcement of his own victim-hood: “Once I did not even have a kitchen table!” Obama represents his prep school experience in Hawaii as one where he was one of the only African-American males there, and instead of his education at Punahou being something that made him a member of an elite group, it helped form his racial identity where in the future, he could empathize with those who felt marginalized in society.

In spite of the fact that Obama has ignited a movement of people who were previously disenchanted with the system, as well as millions of others from many different backgrounds, politics and the social climate of this country demands that he play down his intelligence and access to education. Unfortunately this is a pressure that many minorities feel they must submit to in order to fit in, both on the playground and professionally. This is not an experience limited to minorities—after all, some twenty-somethings with trust funds adopt the urban vernacular for street ‘cred and volunteer in the third world to shed the stigma of a sheltered, privileged existence. Unfortunately, this habit of understating ones ability and fortune seems to have more negative effects for men of color, and for Obama, who is always seen as an exception to any norm, his privilege offers him contradictory liabilities and opportunities. That he has the resources to play down puts him on an even playing field with elite men like McCain, Bush and Gore, as his credentials help him to be perceived as “Presidential.” As a result, Miss Cheapist, in her novice attempt at punditry, would say it’s not worth it for him to be too humble…while being relatively new to the game works to his advantage, so does the experience that preceded this moment. Recently Miss Cheapist overheard an undecided woman voter stating what many are afraid to utter: “I know I should vote for Obama. Obviously he’s qualified because of he went to Punahou and Harvard, but I don’t know if I want to risk it.” While George Bush was somehow able to mask his genteel background and Andover education with a contrived Southern “folksiness,” Obama, and probably McCain as well, has to cultivate a different type of class identity that appeals those who, for whatever reason, find them out of touch. Fortunately, Obama, with his mixed race and cultural background, as well as his years as a community organizer, has earned a reputation of objectivity; a listener willing to look at new solutions. Ironically, this ability to see things from different points of view seems to come from being in the greatest position of privilege possible, something difficult and unnecessary to disguise.

Miss Cheapist takes in the campus.

Finally, it’s important to mention that downplaying the Punahou prep school experience is something shared by many alum, political hopefuls and otherwise. Whenever Miss Cheapist told others in Hawaii that she attended the elite institution, she was disdainfully mocked for attending the “rich white school,” and assumed to be a snob. She would hesitate to tell people where she went to school for fear that she would be pre-judged, or worse yet, harrassed. At the age of 16, her own driving teacher commented to her that the reason she failed the driving test three times was she was unable to “come down to our level, honey,” rather than a lack of comfort on the road. Even as an adult, it was assumed that she was unable to relate to others simply because she had the chance to attend an incredible school that boasted an Olympic swimming pool, a glass-blowing lab, fourteen tennis courts and Ivy League college placement. Yes, of course her schooling made her a snob who believed she deserved it all, but at the same time, she appreciated the opportunity she gained. She later came to learn that where you went to school is as random as what family you were born into, and really depended on what you made of your education. But humility does not require deception. An education is nothing to hide, especially for someone who does not have a legacy to fall back on, and needs all the help she can get. At first Miss Cheapist gravitated toward Obama because they shared a common experience, and he seemed to really understand the complexity of identity in the 21^st century. Now she realizes it is exactly his ability to reach the majority without necessarily identifying with them that made him so special.