Happy New Year. If you are an avid follower of Off the Cuff, you’re probably an elitist.
This heady topic is one that we debate often here at OTC. And as Capitol Hill here in Washington, D.C., prepares for an ideological and partisan handover, that word is again popping up. “Elite.”
Grab a brandy and settle into your distressed leather club chair, this is a long one. Enjoy and of course, feel free to discuss. And please don’t despair; we’ll shortly be diving into such weighty subjects as the history of Brooks Brothers and OTC’s favorite grooming products.
While the stunningly elegant halls of Congress are a mere five-minute stroll away, OTC is not a political site. Indeed, classic taste reflected in modern times favors no party or ideology. Frankly, if you are able to hold a reasoned debate over any mildly complex or potentially volatile issue (and order a Hendricks & tonic without losing your train of thought), you’re halfway to having great personal style anyway.
That said, the theoretically pejorative term “elitist” is starting to get tossed around again, and since we all clearly fit that description, it’s worth a look. Wait, you don’t think you’re one of them? You aren’t an elitist? Really…
Are you jazzed by dead stock selvage denim straight from the warehouse in Tokyo? Are you all about working surgeon’s cuffs and double vents? Do you know what the heck a surgeon’s cuff is? Do you carry a Filson briefcase to highlight your “authentic American workwear” aesthetic? Do you tweet about vintage Rolex auctions or dig ACL’s co-branding project with J.Crew (do you automatically know what ACL stands for)? Do you have or want anything custom made? Do you have a favorite brand of khakis? Do you read Monocle?
Like I said…
America has always celebrated the underdog – it is part of our national psyche. We appreciate hard work, determination and sacrifice. We relish our ability to overcome the randomness of one’s initial station in life and make of it what we wish. That previous list of elitist pastimes and obsessions holds no interest to real folks. Jeans? You should have one pair and not give a hoot who made them. And if cost more than $25.00, well, your priorities are mixed up.
We loudly tout the honesty and satisfaction of a tough fight to the top of the heap over the soft gifts of heredity and privilege; that is of course until we are the beneficiaries of such heredity and privilege. Then, maybe, it’s not such a bad thing. Perspective…….you know.
As a culture we admire the iconic all-American blue collar worker who earns an honest living and whose common sense usually works better then the highbrow babble of out-of-touch politicians and Ivy League “thought leaders.” We temper the idealized image of middle-America with an appreciation for the fruits of hard work: financial success and advancement, education and intellectual growth.
We tell our kids to value learning and to reach for the stars, to work towards a better life while not forgetting where they come from. And always we hear the same mantra repeated across all socioeconomic classes: I want my kids to have it better than I did.
How is it then, that being smart, well educated, worldly and cultured is a bad thing? Striving to achieve great success though hard work and dedication is a positive trait, but actually achieving it seems to be negative. Appreciating different cultures, expanding one’s horizons and enjoying the finer things in life are portrayed as an abandonment of “real” America.
This being Washington, President Barack Obama tends to be the poster child for the classic Ivy League, white wine sipping, arugula eating, overly intellectual elitist. The subtext is clear – if one is overtly smart or refined, worldly or intellectual, it would appear that he is an “elitist.” The tone often accompanying this pronouncement reminds me of when people were slapped with labels like “commie” or “pinko.” It is meant as an insult; a sort of cultural betrayal.
The president did graduate from Columbia University and Harvard Law School, where he was also president of the Harvard Law Review; three things, by the way, I would be quite proud to to announce whenever possible had I achieved any of them. He is handsome and photogenic, dresses well, can give one heck of a speech (at least on the campaign trail) and is clearly an intellectual sort of guy, occasionally to his detriment.
And yet all of that hard work and sacrifice, all of that dedication is often chalked up to elitism in the most pejorative use of the word. Has he not done what we counsel children every day to do? Mr. Obama was not given any of these successes as gifts – he worked for them. But the question remains: does any of this make him an elitist? And what exactly is an elitist? And even if he (or you or I) is one, why is that bad?
My mother once sent me a newspaper clipping titled, “In praise of social climbing.” She liked the fact that the author put that often-maligned practice into context: social climbing is nothing more than networking with a purpose. It helps you succeed in a career, meet new people, take advantage of opportunities and just get out there in the world. Today we call such social climbing “LinkedIn.com.”
That is how I view this elitist brouhaha: it’s a PR issue. Take the genuinely impressive accomplishments of one man’s life and slap the label of elitist all over them and he is reduced to the caricature of an effete and out of touch snob. Regardless of your political leaning, that’s just wrong.
To be bipartisan about this, let’s remember that President George W. Bush graduated from Yale and Harvard universities. And he didn’t go to public high school, he attended Phillips Academy – about as old school prep as humanly possible. President Bush’s family history is riddled with elitist lawyers, senators, governors and of course presidential parents. He is a member of Yale’s legendary Skull & Bones secret society and his significant wealth is primarily inherited – fine with us by the way. Now, that’s elitist!
Encouraging growth, success and intellectual expansion but then bashing its achievement is indeed a bad thing. Tossing around polarized labels like “elitist” not only encourage small thinking but also creates a deterrence to the open appreciation of things like art and music, wine, culture and intellectualism.
It sends our kids a mixed message, but it also makes me look bad. I went to college and earned two master’s degrees – what a royal mistake that was. I like good food, design and, obviously, well made clothes. Worse, I ponder such issues as global relations, the long term social impact of our acquisitive culture and when I can afford a nice pair of handmade brogues.
I have written on such arcane topics as merino wool trumping cashmere and the unlikely role of Ralph Lauren as a historian of American social culture. You have willingly debated with me which mechanical watches are the best. Yep – we are all über elitists.
And what of it? This wonderful forum has grown into a global resource for nearly 25,000 people every month. Readers from more countries than I can count stop by to learn something new, leave a comment or find an inspiration for expressing their own personal style.
We question and challenge each other and each, hopefully, walks away with a better perspective on life. We celebrate craftsmanship and individual style because to us, each represents an expression of personal achievement. We are not happy being provincial and holding to a tunnel vision of the world.
So, if all that makes me an elitist, I will proudly wear the label ( I hope you do too). Happy New Year and look for even more changes for OTC in 2011!
Elitist as you define it is a virtue.. ” being smart, well educated, worldly and cultured…Striving to achieving great success though hard work and dedication”. None of these qualities are trumpeted by President Obama but represent much of what he believes is wrong with our country. For example isn’t the risk taker, the entrepreneur, the one who creates capital and jobs, just as noble as the public worker who by Obama’s definition is engaged in a more noble task. Our President is not and elitist but a socialist (with fascist overtones; see Obamacare) who wants to fashion a ruling class over the “elitist” who you justifiably praise. Love your website but spare us Obama who would have us all dress in a uniform so as not to engender “class envy” as opposed to cultivating personal style as reward for achievement that “off the cuff” so wonderfully educates and promotes!
It goes back to the Jeffersonians branding Hamilton a monarchist elitist. Meanwhile, Hamilton pulled himself up from his bootstraps, fought gallantly in the Revolutionary War, was not landed, received no inheritance, owned no slaves and was an actual abolitionist, rather than just written as one in the history books like John Adams, and worked his whole life. Meanwhile, Jefferson never worked in his life. He owned slaves and took one as his mistress when she was only 13, inherited a huge estate, and frequently retired there to be a philosopher and conduct experiments. And, when he was the military Governor of Virginia abandoned the capitol and hid from the invading English.
Yet, due to his earlier death Jefferson won the propaganda game and Hamilton was the elitist among these two bitter rivals. It’s been a slur that continues to plague American politics. Pretend that your elite background doesn’t exist and you are the man of the people before your opponent can brand you as the elitist and you win.
James – Thanks very much for the impassioned retort – and the very kind words about OTC. While I do not accept the whole “Obama-as-fascist” bit even for a minute (By Merriam-Webster’s definition he a long shot at best), I stand by using him a foil for the absurd claim that to be brainy and perhaps a bit short on the people skills makes one an indifferent (socialist, of course) snob.
To your other point, as far as I’m concerned, nobility of effort, position, craft or skill is not exclusive to anyone. As my father taught me, and I hope to instill in my son, anyone who works for a living deserves my respect. Whether the garbage man or a brain surgeon, a philosopher or the president, it doesn’t matter. Elitism is not a virtue to me, but it’s also not a character flaw. Being a jerk is a character flaw.
ERF – Thank you very much for the historical perspective. I’ve lived in D.C. for 15 years and have seen that scenario play out over and over again. Your last line should be in a textbook.
This sort of reminds me of the discussion about “snobbery” in the movie “Metropolitan.”
Anyone who claims our current President/administration is “socialist” is clearly under-educated and therefore – as frequently framed by the modern GOP – certainly not an elitist. The irony – and short memories – of such dribble is stifling.
Interesting post – though, I can’t get behind a “Ralph Lauren” branded wristwatch (as you have pictured here). Watches, like fine shoes and suits, should be purchased from brands with history and tradition in the manufacturing of the product – not from a fashion conglomerate shamelessly ‘private labeling’ other people’s watches/items as their own and selling them at a mark up. To wear a RL watch is to scream brand and quality/craftsmanship ignorance….Just my two cents.
Obama’s is nothing more than an idealist, coat-tail rider who has been “given” a path his whole life. Sure, he’s smart, as smart as a fox.
Up until now, I have enjoyed this site. Will you please spare us Obama, John Kerry and the rest of their ilk?
All the best!
Vern – John Kerry? When did I mention John Kerry, the Vineyard Vines post? I believe that was a passing reference to the company’s lucrative inroads into the political clothing market.
I do find it interesting that none of the folks complaining about about references to Obama also complained about the section on former president Bush. Remember, we’re based in DC – this stuff will occasionally creep in every year or two…or four.
I get it…Obama’s either the best thing since sliced bread or a socialist coat-tailer.
While the partisan rants on both sides on the sartorial isle are entertaining, how about some thoughts on the role of “elites” in the world today? That’s the main point of this post after all. And I’m not necessarily talking about political elites – business and finance, technology and education, design and retail.
Once upon a time, society admired and even revered smart, urbane and polished leaders in all sorts of fields – not just politics. There was a sense of pride and accomplishment at having achieved a certain level of refinement and taste.
Now, it’s almost a sign of shame to be “that” kind of guy. I’m not talking class warfare here, just a shifting of perception. Interestingly, the dominant Ivy League styles of today speak to that kind of person, but the substance behind the image is almost derided and devalued.
Thoughts?
@Greg D and others – so, President Obama – who grew up lower middle class, used scholarships to attend/afford college, self-funded all his early political campaigns, served in the IL state government and the US Senate, etc. – is a socialist “coat tail rider”, but our previous leader, Mr. Bush, who, despite being handed every possible advantage his entire life (huge family fortune, elite prep schools, ivy league college education(s), early employment at family businesses, long lists of political connections, and so on), failed at nearly every venture he pursued, is some sort of model leader who represents our nation’s ideal values?
Be Republican (whatever that means these days), debate policies intelligently; fine. But don’t be ignorant and borderline dishonest about peoples’ background and ideologies. While it may make for fun bar talk with your buddies, such foolishness actually weakens the GOP’s national standing and reputation.
I meant no offense; what I tried poorly to convey was that if you use political figures to illustrate your point, the discussion becomes polarized as it did.
You have a very good blog and please keep up the fine work.
I believe that being born into money is not in and of itself a negative virtue and does not alone embody the negative connotation of elitism. There are, after all various definitions of this term. Its what is done with those funds that determines legitimacy. If over time a family fortune is accumulated in good form and honesty then by all means it should be received with open arms by the beneficiaries who in turn must be as vigilant as their forbearer’s in respecting the integrity of said fortune. If however a fortune is acquired in part or in its entirety by exploration, dishonesty, or malice toward your fellow man then using this money as a means to fund an “elitist” life style is not, in the standard definition, a virtue.
You claim this is a non-political site, and yet you bend over backwards to kiss Obama’s backside.
I will concede, in some quarters Obama might be considered the “elite” simply by virtue of his skin colour and brand name schooling, at least to certain (shallow) segments of the population. I certainly have encountered white liberals who think this way. White liberals in this country find any excuse to elevate non-Whites to positions of prominence, regardless of worth, and they waste no time in deriding fellow White Americans as “rednecks,” “trailer trash,” etc.
It is the height of irony to watch white liberals pose as cultured, intelligent, Ivy League-educated “elitists”–while at the same time championing every sort of egalitarian nonsense, from the idea of “racial equality” to feminism to animal rights! The double-standards are blatant.
Elitism has little to do with education, brand name clothing, or money. It is about character. Elitism is a state of mind, a spiritual quality.
I thoroughly enjoy your blog and I appreciate your taking up the gauntlet for elitism. Fundamentally, it seems elitism is equated with snobbery while, to my mind, a snob is an elitist with bad manners. Elitism, in essence, is to apply discernment and to choose in the full knowledge that some choices/things/values are superior to others. What gives elitism a bad name is that, rather than pushing many people to aspire and enjoy the fruits of achievement, it often causes people to feel inadequate and uncomfortable about their own choices.
For those who are interested, and if it is still in print, there is an excellent 1994 book “In Defense of Elitism” by William A. Henry III, a two-time Pulitzer winner and culture critic for Time Magazine.
Thanks for the laugh, I am definitely an elitist 🙂
MB – But you’re the modern, more tailored and streamlined version of elite!
Cheers,
OTC
OTC-I love this post. Admittedly I just discovered your blog and have quickly become a big fan. I agree with your point. There is a strange dichotomy regarding elitism. As an example, I earned my M.A. from Columbia Univ.–yet I am very careful how I share that information. On the one hand I am very proud of my achievement, but I fear sharing that information can be misconstrued as expressing some kind of “privileged elitism” (the pejorative connotation as mentioned in your blog).
LagunEvermore the racist of the group(s). Why is it that you always have to turn to race?
I will speak to each of your points.
“You claim this is a non-political site, and yet you bend over backwards to kiss Obama’s backside”
Agreed to a point, I say to a point because I do believe that OTC used OB in this story to prove a point. I can’t be certain, but I believe that he says that he is elite because he pulled himself up by his own bootstraps. A point that I have made about others in other post, namely Wasp101. While the term WASP can only connote someone of Anglo Saxon origin, I can respect someone who is not of Anglo Saxon decent who holds the same attributes. They are not a WASP no, but have worked hard and live by some of, if not most of the same standards. Moving on to my point.
“I will concede, in some quarters Obama might be considered the “elite” simply by virtue of his skin colour and brand name schooling, at least to certain (shallow) segments of the population. I certainly have encountered white liberals who think this way. White liberals in this country find any excuse to elevate non-Whites to positions of prominence, regardless of worth, and they waste no time in deriding fellow White Americans as “rednecks,” “trailer trash,” etc.”
If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck. So there are no White folks in this country that are Rednecks? Please, in my neck of the woods that is a badge of honor, just as those in this post feel that they are elite don’t feel that they should drop this from their persona. Hell I’m and Afro-Southerner who is called a redneck all the time and take no offence. Buy you implying that there’s any shame in that shows just how “out of touch” you are with “real” America, where is it that you are from anyhow?
“Elitism has little to do with education, brand name clothing, or money. It is about character. Elitism is a state of mind, a spiritual quality.”
You forgot one thing in your last, race. More and more in this country people of all faiths and races are becoming, elite.
In closing, it’s time that all American’s wake up and get past the BS of racism. We ALL need to work together especially in the current times with our current POTUS. Be it that you are an Elitist, or Redneck, or ghetto fabulous. Let us not judge those by the color of their skin. Someone who would spell the word “Colour” Speaks volumes that they are not of this country and cannot appreciate its history and heritage. The spelling is British, and if that is the case I can see why they would think that a “Black man” no matter his education could be an elite. No, no, it has to be that he’s black that makes him elite. Never mind the vote, his education, etc. You sir, just stopped short of using the “N” word, something I’ve seen you do before, you’re pretty good at that. Others may not see past your dribble, but I sure can, and you smack of it as usual.
a Beach Fogey;
Springhill Group Home
agree with you 100%! After all, motivated workers are the best type to have!