Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond. Matthew is a sociologist at Princeton University. He is also the principal investigator of the Eviction Lab.
Matthew’s first book Evicted was the 2017 Pulitzer Prize winner. In addition, Time Magazine named Evicted one of the ten best nonfiction books of the decade. So, can lightning strike twice?
Matthew’s follow up book just might as he provides fresh insights into how society actually thinks about a morally urgent issue. Yet, he is also indicating solutions are available without raising taxes.
This is not about the war on poverty or welfare reform, but simply a book addressing how poverty somehow persists in the richest nation on earth. Long story short: because the rest of us benefit from it.
Matthew’s insights are data driven and so he asks why. Why are 1 in every 8 children in fact going without basic necessities, why are citizens homeless, and why can corporations pay poverty wages? In addition, Matthew is providing updated statistics the really resonate in a post COVID-19 world.
In fact, throughout our history, the US Congress has raised the minimum wage 22 times. The current level — $7.25 an hour was established in 2009. Wow that was 14 years ago.
There are certainly key factors that perpetuate poverty and economic disparity. Matthew points out how the government gives so many benefits and subsidies to the wealthy. This directly undermines the poor.