Poverty by America Read Along Week 2

Aug’s Read Along

📚 Join us for an upcoming book read along featuring “Poverty in America” by Mathew Desmond! This compelling book delves into the intricate issue of poverty, offering profound insights into the lives of those affected and shedding light on how this social construct touches us all. Through this read along, we aim to encourage meaningful discussions and learning experiences for everyone involved.
Each week we will post suggested reading, a couple chapters at a time. By the last Wed of the month we will be ready for our group discussion on the book, which will be the topic of our Member’s Only Group Chat. 
While our members only group chat discussion of this book, is a member’s only perk, there is nothing holding anyone back from participating in our read along via the blog or social media.  We of course would love to have you join us. 

You can click here to become a member. 

 

Week 2

Chapter 4: How We Force the Poor to Pay More

Chapter 5: How We Rely on Welfare

Chapter 6: How We Buy Opportunity

 

Poverty, by America

By, Desmond, Matthew

“The United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Why? Why does this land of plenty allow one in every eight of its children to go without basic necessities, permit scores of its citizens to live and die on the streets, and authorize its corporations to pay poverty wages? In this landmark book, acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. Those of us who are financially secure exploit the poor, driving down their wages while forcing them to overpay for housing and access to cash and credit. We prioritize the subsidization of our wealth over the alleviation of poverty, designing a welfare state that gives the most to those who need the least. And we stockpile opportunity in exclusive communities, creating zones of concentrated riches alongside those of concentrated despair. Some lives are made small so that others may grow. Elegantly written and fiercely argued, this compassionate book gives us new ways of thinking about a morally urgent problem. It also helps us imagine solutions. Desmond builds a startlingly original and ambitious case for ending poverty. He calls on us all to become poverty abolitionists, engaged in a politics of collective belonging to usher in a new age of shared prosperity and, at last, true freedom.” — Provided by publisher.

 

Get the Book

NLS Bard Audio Book: DB 92857

Amazon

Note, if getting from a library service this may still have a long wait as it is a best selling newer release.

 

Keep on track!

Follow this link to see all the other posts for this read along. It should update as new posts are published.

 

Suggest a Future Book

Please reach out if you would like to make a future book discussion suggestion.

[email protected]

or leave a comment to this post.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCaptcha and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.