Money Talk

The Meritocracy Is a Lie

What really allowed me to climb the socio-economic ladder

I’m standing in the third grade lunch line. My rural school rests on a large field surrounded by woods beside a creek (or a “crick” where I’m from) and a winding road. I’m trying my best to be invisible, to avoid chatting with the girls in line behind me because I know I’ll have to say out loud to the lunch lady that I get free lunches.

That my parents have sent in the forms to prove that they can’t afford the $2.00 for my meal. And I know that if a friend behind me notices, they will ask me about it.

And once again — day after day — I will have to admit that I am poor.

I’m not the only student who gets free lunches, but I feel alone. Singled out. For some reason, my parents never think to pack my lunch. Probably because they know I can get it for free, and free is good. Free is helpful.

Saving 20 dollars a week — between my brother and me — means 80 dollars a month. That’s a lot in our family. My dad runs a landscaping business, but doesn’t have much of a head for business and it never takes off.

I get good grades through elementary school. I’m told if I work hard enough, I can be anything I want to be. So I work my ass off.