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Authors, sign in!Increasingly the people falling into the ranks of the poor are those who previously were classified as 'middle class'. In what I believe to be a type of individualistic protectionist posture, many still wish to stereotype those who are poor as being those who 'choose' not to make it. Even in this recession, the fact that unemployment among African-Americans is nearly double that of whites (at 13.4%), is confirmation for some that this is not an issue of the economy as much as it is an issue of 'will' and determination.
Barbara Ehernriech, in her book Nickel and Dimed
Adam Shepherd, young college graduate, challenged the premise of Ehrenriech's book with a simulated study of his own. He published a book based on his own experience, Scratch Beginnings: Me, $25, and the Search for the American Dream
In his interview with John Stossel on ABC's 20/20, he touts his frugality and the sacrifices he made in order to find the level of success he made. He points to Ehrenriech's 'extravagances' ("she bought $40 pants", he said).
I actually think that what both of these books point to are the limits of simulated exercises! While somewhat effective, lessons learned depend entirely on the objective.
Give me the real life experiences of people whose lives are being ruined by our country's drift into corporate greed and the creation of a culture of materialism. Like this one, being replicated countless times throughout our country today...
While I respect the work of Ms. Ehrenriech and Mr. Shepherd, no one in these tents intends to write a book...
Published March 17, 2009 by Gerald Britt |
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| Tags:
Economy
Employment
Homelessness
Income Disparity
Living Wage
Middle Class
Poverty
