Today in Focus “Am I working class or insufferably bourgeois?”
28 snips
Apr 28, 2025 
Danny Lavelle, a journalist and author, shares his quest to understand his social class in modern Britain. He candidly reflects on his privileged background and the subsequent plunge into financial instability. Topics include the struggle to navigate class identity shaped by education, the impact of imposter syndrome in journalism, and the challenges of freelance life. Lavelle also discusses the complexities of class distinctions today and emphasizes the importance of supporting diverse voices in media.
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Danny's Varied Upbringing
- Danny Lavelle describes his varied upbringing, including rapid social mobility and time in the care system.
- He worked in a cotton mill and experienced homelessness after graduation due to precarious jobs and poor mental health.
Feeling Out of Place at Guardian
- Danny recalls attending Guardian work experience in trainers and a polo shirt, standing out among colleagues.
- He felt like a fish out of water due to class and cultural differences at The Guardian.
Precarious Housing Situation
- Danny currently lives between his mum's house and his brother's council house due to precarious income.
- He cannot afford his own place despite working as a journalist and author.
