A project I worked on for sociology
This is a project I worked on for sociology class last semester. We had to reimagine the social class system and I did mine based on Springsteen. It was fun and I've meant to post it for awhile now.
In Jungleland we ascribe to the beliefs that:
1. Springsteen embodies that which is beautiful and lovely and all things good.
2. Anyone can accomplish anything that they decide they want to accomplish.
3. Hard work is to be embraced.
4. Failure is not to be feared.
5. We are all paid equally so we all have the chance to succeed equally.
6. We are all given the opportunity for education as we define it.
7. We are all individuals but some of us take joy in being the same.
8. We always have the option of opting out.
9. Respect each path and each choice.
10. “There's diamonds in the sidewalk the's gutters lined in song
Dear I hear that beer flows through the faucets all night long
There's treasure for the taking, for any hard working man
Who will make his home in the American Land”
-- American Land
Social Class:
Springsteen
Philosophy:
These rebel geniuses are interested in forward progress of the human race in any of its incarnations. May have gone to college, though some have not, what makes them great is the ability to see the truth of the world and envision it afresh.
Anthem:
“I want a thousand guitars
I want pounding drums
I want a million different voices speaking in tongues”
-- Radio Nowhere
Social Class:
Bound for Gloryites
Philosophy:
What used to be the ruling class has retreated into their aging mansions on the hill and refused the equality of Jungleland. Now they huddle together under the cracked sunshine of country clubs that used to sparkle.
Anthem:
“We just sit around talking about the old times
She says when she feels like crying she starts laughing thinking about…
Glory Days
Well pass you by.”
-- Glory Days
Social Class:
Whizbangers
Philosophy:
The artists and crackpots who aspire for more, they seek fulfillment in the chase of the answers. They constantly strive to create new questions and sew new stories to pass along the highways they drive windows down radios singing a map to the next adventure.
Anthem:
“Someday girl I don't know when we're gonna get to that place where we really want to go and we'll walk in the sun…
But till then tramps like us
baby we were born to run”
-- Born to Run
Social Class:
The Saints
Philosophy:
Born of the workers, wishing to be whizbangers, they know that they can go only as far as they dedicate themselves to the pursuit. These are the students you find hunkered down in library corners scribbling furiously by dimly lit lamps at midnight.
Anthem:
“I hid in the clouded wrath of the crowd
but when they said "Sit down" I stood up.
Ooh-ooh growin' up”
-- Growin’ Up
Social Class:
American Brothers
Philosophy:
The workers, plain and simple, like to work, are proud of what they create and wouldn’t change a thing about their lives. To be called blue collar is the highest of compliments. It means you have honor, integrity, and know the value of a hard day’s work.
Anthem:
“Barefoot girl sitting on the hood of a Dodge
Drinking warm beer in the soft summer rain
The Rat pulls into town rolls up his pants
Together they take a stab at romance and disappear down Flamingo Lane”
-- Jungleland
Social Class:
Ragamuffin Gunners
Philosophy:
These are the left behinds of the previous society. The ones who had it hard enough the first time around and haven’t made it out of the haze. They are cared for and revered by everyone. If they can they live in homes of their choosing, though most find solitude in the mountains and empty spaces, or in open homes where the sun shines and the wind blows and they know that they are finally safe.
Anthem:
“That pure American brother, dull-eyed and empty-faced
races Sundays in Jersey in a Chevy stock super eight
He rides 'er low on the hip,
on the side he's got Bound For Glory in red, white and blue flash paint.
He leans on the hood telling racing stories, the kids call him Jimmy The Saint”
-- Lost in the Flood
Social Class:
Badlanders
Philosophy:
These are the abstainers who do not agree with the current philosophy of Jungleland. Some are criminals who love their lawlessness and some are the intelligentsia who do not believe that everyone should have an equal chance. You have many Texans who believe that we should have left well enough alone and those who just need something to rebel against.
Anthem:
“Workin' in the fields
till you get your back burned
Workin' 'neath the wheel
till you get your facts learned
Baby I got my facts
learned real good right now
You better get it straight darling
Poor man wanna be rich,
rich man wanna be king
And a king ain't satisfied
till he rules everything”
-- Badlands