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Shifting Social Classes

Oprah discusses shifting social classes.
Whether you're rich, poor or somewhere in between, every American holds a unique spot on the social class ladder. In April 2006, The Oprah Show tackled this topic for the first time. Back then, the economy was booming and class structure was stable. "People had a solid understanding of where they stood," Oprah says.

Today, things are much different. As the country deals with one of the worst recessions in history and 13 million people face unemployment, social classes are shifting. Many Americans who once considered themselves middle class now feel closer to the bottom.

See how people really perceive social classes. Watch

More than 30 million people are now relying on food stamps, and experts say the gap between the rich and the poor is widening.
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From The Oprah Winfrey Show The Taboo Topic: What Social Class Are You Now?