“Guilt gripped her--she was the person who determined Reina's salary, which in turn determined these conditions. But she remembered that Reina sent the bulk of her money back home to her parents. She would be able to afford a better place otherwise, surely. It was a kind of sacrifice that Nakia never had cause to make. She hoped she would be willing if circumstances called for it. Why was life so hard for some people? A question people called you stupid for asking, yet no one could give you a straightforward explanation.” WealthPovertySacrificeGuiltPrivilegeIncomeSalaryLife Is Hard Book:The Wilderness Source: The Wilderness
“It's just that some of the people I've met through her, the athletes, the influencers and writers? They all have this same self-righteousness, like this assumption that what they're doing is more valuable than anyone else's work, but they don't do anything if they're not the marquee name, if it doesn't further their brand in some way. They're fucking hollow inside. I don't know, it makes my skin crawl. And it doesn't help that they all happen to be rich.” WealthWritersRich PeopleSelf RighteousnessInfluencersPersonal BrandAthletesWealthy People Book:The Wilderness Source: The Wilderness
“He's new in town, just finished his med school residency in Ohio. Now's your moment if you want it." Desiree didn't respond. She grabbed Monique's hand to fake salsa to "Suavemente." These people always found a way to sneak in what somebody did for a living, she thought. They walked around with their résumés in their mouths.” WorkWealthPowerDoctorsResumesBourgeoisieUpper ClassProfessionalsBusiness Class Book:The Wilderness Source: The Wilderness