Brokers Quote by Jimmy Breslin
“Those of Manhattan are the brokers on Wall Street and they talk of people who went to the same colleges; those from Queens are margin clerks in the back offices and they speak of friends who live in the same neighborhood.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: New York Times, 1970s, column on Manhattan vs Queens
Highlights socioeconomic and educational divides reflected in workplace roles and social circles
In simple terms: Rich neighborhoods talk about elite careers; poorer talk about local friends
Key Takeaway
Recognize and bridge class gaps
Themes
class
education
workplace
social stratification
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
sociological
When to use this quote
- corporate meetings
- community outreach
- policy making
- urban planning
- education reform
Key Concepts
socioeconomic disparity
urban sociology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do class origins shape professional networks?
- Can shared experiences bridge socioeconomic divides?
A Different Perspective
May overlook individual agency within classes
