Egalitarianism

Egalitarianism: The Myth of Meritocracy

In the musical Ragtime, newly arrived immigrant Tateh happily proclaims “Here in America, anyone at all can succeed”...only to quickly discover poverty and disease in the crowded tenements of New York. Yet spurred on by the need to care for his daughter, he begins selling silhouette pictures - and by the end of the show, he’s become a wealthy filmmaker...the perfect American Dream story.

But not all musical characters get their happy ending. Shows like The Color Purple and Rent portray themes of systemic injustice, challenging our illusions of meritocracy.

Foundational Claim:

“...that all men are created equal...”

Consider: meritocracy as a political philosophy which believes (1) that rewards should be given based on merit, and (2) that if you work hard, you will be able to reap benefits for doing so. Before engaging with this week’s materials, reflect on whether you believe America functions as a meritocracy. (The materials below may help you with your consideration.)

Egalitarianism | Definition, Meaning, & Examples | BritannicaEgalitarianism, the belief in human equality, especially political, social, and economic equality. Egalitarianism has been a driving principle of many modern social movements, including the Enlightenment, feminism, civil rights efforts, and the establishment of international human rights. Given

Case Study 1: The American Dream

Read: a bit about the evolution of the American Dream and its impact on modern society through the Gale and Britannica articles, then choose at least one of the commentaries questioning whether and how the American Dream is still alive - and for whom.

American Dream | Definition, Examples, & In Literature | BritannicaAmerican Dream, ideal that the United States is a land of opportunity that allows the possibility of upward mobility, freedom, and equality for people of all classes who work hard and have the will to succeed. The roots of the American Dream lie in the goals and aspirations of the first European

Do You Think the American Dream Is Real? (Published 2019)Do you think you can achieve the American dream? Can all Americans?

Elites Have Made the American Dream a Nightmare for Black People. Who’s Next?Researchers reveal the enemies to stability and prosperity that threaten us all.

Watch: these clips from very different shows that highlight perspectives and experiences of ‘opportunity’ in the US.

Case Study 2: Jim Crow

Understand: the expansive reality ofJim Crow Laws in the United States by reading at least one of the articles below. We also recommend the virtual exhibition.

Jim Crow Laws and Racial SegregationFollowing the end of the Civil War and adoption of the 13th Amendment, many white southerners were dismayed by the prospect of living or working equally with Blacks, whom they considered inferior. …

Jim Crow Laws: Definition, Facts & Timeline | HISTORYJim Crow laws were state and local statutes that legalized racial segregation. Enacted after the Civil War, the laws denied equal opportunity to Black citizens.

Learn: more about how racism in musical theatre intersected with institutional racism through the character of ‘Jim Crow’. (Warning: Seriously racist depictions ahead!)

Reflect: on how Black struggle was portrayed in Showboat, the ‘grandfather’ show of musical theatre. Though groundbreaking in many ways, Oscar Hammerstein II’s original lyrics to its well-known song “Old Man River” included racial slurs and reinfoced oppressive caricatures. Paul Robeson – a leader of the Harlem Renaissance, professional footballer, and political activist – rewrote the lyrics to better capture Black resistance, and often performed his changed lyrics in recitals.

Ol’ Man River | The Abraham Lincoln Brigade ArchivesOriginal lyrics printed here are based upon those from the libretto for the recording of Jerome Kern’s Show Boat, with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. Hayes Middlesex England: EMI Records Lmtd.1988.

Recognise: how the legacy of Jim Crow still affects America today – and how race-based policies may be experiencing a more explicit resurgence.

Effects of Jim Crow Era Live On in Modern America, Some Say Republicans across the US are proposing — and sometimes passing — laws that place additional restrictions on voting. Many Democrats say these are modern-style Jim Crow laws meant to disenfranchise Black voters

Prisons, Pardons, Parole, Probation—in the Jim Crow Era and Today - Yale University PressScott W. Stern— It is a shameful yet widely recognized fact that the United States incarcerates its residents at a rate far beyond that of any other democracy in the... READ MORE

Case Study 3: The Self-Made Man

Challenge: the myth of the self-made man – and the idea that successful people are simply those who worked harder – with the articles below.
(PS, a musical theatre soundtrack to have in mind and critique as you read: the egotism of “Non-Stop” from Hamilton.)

Meritocracy or Mediocracy: How the Myth of Equality Breeds Radicalism - Harvard Political ReviewThe very substance of meritocracy is idealistic, as it calls out to the sense of justice each one of us carry deep within. Yet this country was not built on that very sense of justice. This leaves us at an impasse.

The Myth of Meritocracy Runs Deep in American HistoryJeff Fuhrer, author of “The Myth That Made Us,” examines the false narratives about meritocracy and post-racism that shaped the nation’s identity.

Case Study 4: Persisting ‘Isms’

Consider: how homophobia, racism, classism, and assumptions of meritocracy came together to create the AIDS crisis in 1980s America. If you haven’t seen Rent, check out the synopsis and watch a few clips.
(PS - This week can also be a good excuse to watch Tick, Tick... Boom! if you haven’t seen it, as it tells the story of Rent’s creator, Jonathan Larson.)

How the AIDS Crisis Became a Moral Debate | The Brink | Boston UniversityBoston University is a leading private research institution with two primary campuses in the heart of Boston and programs around the world.

Complete: Anthem Analysis # 6 by answering the questions below.

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