monopoly boardThis week at the Justice Discussion during the second service at Coast, we played variation of monopoly. Monopoly is based on the principle where everyone begins on an equal playing field, with the similar resources and minimal advantages over opponents. However, in our game we were given new roles. Each player received an envelope containing a social class, lower, working, middle, and upper class. Each class was given a different amount of cash, a different amount of preset property, a different set of rules regarding movement on the board, a different set of rules regarding jail, different pass-go-collect X dollars, and different limitations in what property to buy. For example, the lower class was only allowed to buy property on the first row, while the upper class could buy anything they wanted to. The upper class collected 200 on pass-go and had 4 chances to roll a double or a number greater than 7 to get out of jail, while the lower class collected 85 on pass-go and had 1 chance to roll a double to get out of jail. The lower class was required to move the exact number of spaces on the dice roll, while the other classes had the option of going one forward, or one back, or either from their dice roll.

I was given the lower class envelope. It was definitely frustrating because I really had no opportunity to buy any property, let alone any houses (or hotels). At certain points in the game I forfeited my turn and tried to unsuccessfully bargain to be put into jail because that was the only protection between me and the rent collectors. It was interesting to see the rules being bent (easily) in deals between the upper and middle classes. The lower and working classes tried to bargain, but had very little bargaining power. It was interesting because the upper and middle class players felt sorry for the working and lower classes and showed them small acts of charity, ie, waiving rent once or twice, or letting us forfeit our roll once or twice, but the idea of changing the rules, letting us buy property in the ‘richer’ parts of the board did not even enter their minds. The circumstances were bandaged up, but the system that caused the wounds was not changed. The lower and working class forfeited and tried to bargain all that they have, in this case, their ability to play the game, so that they could survive another turn (day), while the middle and upper classes sacrificed small assets that could easily be replaced tomorrow.

How real is this situation in San Diego, CA? I mean, (as someone mentioned in the debrief after the game on Sunday), that this sounds like 3rd world, but not here, in the US, the land where everyone has access to education and chance to succeed. I did some research in San Diego. According to wikipedia, 14.6% of the population in San Diego (which is 10% of families) live below the poverty line, that is…1 in 6 people. The federal poverty line in 2006 is 20k for a family of 4 and 15k for a family of 3. Unfortunately schools are given resources representative of the communities tax bracket; more well-to-do neighborhoods receive more government money for schools.

So, what is my response? I don’t really have any answers, except to write blog posts. Maybe someday I will have some answers or maybe my blogging will spark some ideas in your mind?