Broke in America: Seeing Understanding and Ending US Poverty by Joanne Samuel Goldblum and Colleen Shaddox
310 Pages
Publisher: BenBella Books
Release Date: February 2, 2021
Nonfiction (Adult), Political Science, Multicultural Interest, Poverty, Basic Needs, Income, Finances, Resources, Human Interest, Oppression, Politics, Advocacy, Racism, Sexism
The book is divided into the following parts and chapters.
Chapter 1: Seeing US Poverty: Throwing Out the Caricature
Part I: Basic Needs
Chapter 2: Water: Running Dry
Chapter 3: Food: hungry in America
Chapter 4: Housing: No Place to Be Poor
Chapter 5: Power: Shut Off
Chapter 6: Transportation: Access Denied
Chapter 7: Hygiene: A Problem Swept Under the Rug
Chapter 8: Health: Health Does Not Equal Health Care
Part II: Forms of Oppression
Chapter 9: Racism: Stealing Homes
Chapter 10: Sexism: Women’s Work
Chapter 11: Denial of Political Power: Government Not of, by , or for Poor People
Chapter 12: Mental Health Discrimination: Poverty is Trauma
Chapter 13: High-Poverty Schools: Class Matters
Part III: Solutions
Chapter 14: Possibilities: The Poor Don’t Need to Be with You Always
Chapter 15: Advocacy: Making Change
This is a difficult book to read because of the subject matter. It is hard to learn of people suffering because of financial issues. It is hard to hear of homeless people being fined for being homeless with no way to pay the fines. It is hard reading about utilities being turned off and then liens placed on their homes forcing people to become homeless. At the end of each chapter, the author provides ways for readers to help society. I believe this is a must read for everyone. It should be a mandatory book in high schools and/or college because it is the young in America that will be making lasting change in this country.
