Good Morning! 1.Check Research Project Outlines 2.HOT ROC: Quote Analysis 3.Poverty in an age of affluence Essential Question: Why did poverty persist in the United States in an age of affluence? Homework: TEST ON BLOCK DAY, Research Project DUE FRIDAY

Research Projects DUE FRIDAY!

HOT ROC: Quote Analysis Read the following quote and analyze “Affluence creates poverty.”--Marshall McLuhan, Canadian philosopher How might affluence create poverty? Because America is an affluent society, do you think we will ever be able to get rid of poverty?

Defining Poverty Poverty line: the minimum amount of income (money) someone needs to make to support basic needs – C.1958 poverty line set at $3000 per year for families 25% of all Americans living BELOW the poverty line = 50 million people

The Other America (1962) “The other America the America of poverty, is hidden. Its millions are socially invisible to the rest of us. Poverty is often off the beaten track. It always has been. The ordinary tourist never left the main highway. The traveler comes to the Appalachians in the lovely season. He sees the hills, the streams, the foliage—but not the poor.” --Michael Harrington The Other America: revealed how wide-spread poverty was Poverty had become “invisible” – Mass-produced goods and clothing – Middle class segregated in suburbs – Poor lack a political voice

Why Poverty? Left behind in the Cities – Middle-class/wealthy whites leave cities for suburbs/Sun Belt – Manufacturing jobs disappear as economy changes – Housing Discrimination limits where minorities can live = stuck in poor parts of cities “Urban Renewal”: attempts at reform – Housing Act of 1949: destroy slums and replace with new housing – Act underfunded, cannot replace homes destroyed = more poverty

Why Poverty? Small farmers under siege – Rise of agribusiness = corporate farming – Small farmers can’t compete Failing Coal industry – Appalachia: former coal capitol of America now America’s poorest region Native Americans – Termination Policy: end all aid to natives post-WWII – Natives become America’s poorest citizens

Poverty Today Poverty Line today – $11,000 for individual – $23,000 for family 15% of Americans living below the poverty line – 46 million people