Snippets of Difference

Abstract

In “Snippets of Difference,” Melissa Giddings explores identity, class, and belonging as a first-generation university student. Through personal vignettes, she examines how social class and education create “the bubble,” an invisible boundary separating her from peers with greater cultural and economic capital. Each snapshot—from facing application fees to confronting classist attitudes—captures moments of isolation, awareness, and quiet resistance. Giddings challenges the view that higher education equalizes opportunity, exposing how privilege determines comfort within the system. Ultimately, “Snippets of Difference” turns reflection into critique, prompting readers to see how class shapes academic life and self-perception, and underscoring the importance of empathy and recognition in bridging social divides within academic environments.