Essay: A Brief History of Poverty and Homelessness

[OneGrassRoot]

Excellent short essay by Barbara Anderson on the modern history of poverty and homelessness in the United States. OUR PRIORITIES NEED REDEFINED NOW. Our systems, institutions and laws have resulted in a decimated middle class, and as more people become impoverished (millions and millions of "working poor&quot , the more people are punished for it. It's a sick cycle.


http://m.newsandtribune.com/newsandtribune/db_/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=4mJEJAFc&full=true#display

Poverty is not a crime in America, it is our shame. We have chosen to turn our heads to the poverty in this country by not challenging those who make decisions about programming for the poor.

When examining how we got to the point of having an average of 80 people a night living in our Williams Emergency Shelter — or in the streets — we have to first understand how it happened to be in our community at all. Historically, there has been programming. Albeit not always the kind of programming we preferred, it was at least an attempt to make sure people were fed, clothed and sheltered.

That aid took many forms over the years. Work houses or poor homes (county homes) existed in all 92 counties. Ours was located on Ind. 62 and New Albany’s was located on Grant Line Road. Ironically, New Albany’s continued to house disadvantaged youth and now houses the National Guard.

<snip>

The trickle-down theory of the 1980s did not reduce taxes. We all know that. They did redefine the priorities. We began to resent the poor, to fear them, and to criminalize them. Poor was no longer a condition — it was a crime. The federal government passed the responsibility to the states, the states to the local communities, and many now try to pass it on to the churches.

[malthaussen]

1. No, our shame is that poverty *is* a crime in the USA. n/t

[Demo_Chris]

2. What does this have to do with Beyonce?! Get your priorities straight!

Do I REALLY need the sarcasm tag?

[OneGrassRoot]

3. LOL...

Surely the Beyonce brouhaha was left out of the Good Reads forum! Thought I'd be safe here.