The Other America By Michael Harrington - 1391 Words

The book â€Å"The Other America†, written by Michael Harrington, describes poverty in America in the 1950s and 1960s, when America became one of the most affluent and advanced nations in the world. The book was written in 1962, and Harrington states that there were about 50,000,000 (about 25% of the total population) poor in America at that time. The author did extensive research with respect to the family income levels to derive the poverty numbers, and used his own observations and experiences to write this book. This book addresses the reasons for poverty, the nature of poverty, the culture of poverty, the blindness of Middle Class America with respect to poverty, and the responsibility of all Americans in addressing the issue of poverty in America. Harrington describes the many factors contributed to about 20-25% of the nation facing poverty in America in the 1960s. The loss of mining jobs caused most of the inhabitants of the small towns in the picturesque Appalachian Mountains to lose their livelihood and become poor. The inner city slums in cities like Chicago and New York were (still are) home to many African Americans, minorities, and poor whites that left their hometowns seeking jobs. These areas were high crime prone areas with rodent infested dilapidated buildings, poor sanitary conditions, inferior quality schools, and dismal healthcare (poor people got sick more often compared to middle class). The poor were thought of as â€Å"underclass† by the Middle Class AmericaShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Michael Harrington s The Other America910 Words   |  4 Pageseducation determined social status. Michael Harrington’s, The Other America clearly depicts these problems in America’s affluent society and ho w many people were left in the dark. In the primary source, The Other America by Michael Harrington which was published as a book in 1961, it is clearly evident that Harrington is deeply passionate about those who live in poverty and are left to overcome problems placed before them alone. Harrington’s main idea is that although America seemed to be enjoying a â€Å"goldenRead MoreThe Differences in the Presentation of Poverty in Goldwater’s The Conscience of a Conservative and Harrington’s The Other America1174 Words   |  5 Pagesnot only influential to the future of our nation but also to serve as a cautionary tale. New technological inventions, major political occurrences, and a more aware society have proved to be very important events. These events in addition to many others will undoubtedly influence our nation in many ways but it seems to be that our nation has lost grip of a crisis much closer to home and much closer to the individual person, this specific person mentioned is the America n citizen. Rich, poor, middleRead MoreHuman Services During Contemporary America1732 Words   |  7 PagesPicture This: coming home to place where there aren’t any lights, water and probably no meal for the day. According to Human Services in Contemporary America poverty is the main reason why many babies don’t make it to see adulthood and why clean water and sanitation are not provided. It is the underlying cause of reduced life expectancy, and disability. Poverty is a major contributor to malnutrition, stress, divorces of a family and abuse (Schmolling). Many are at a disadvantage depending on whereRead MoreA Radical Analysis And Argument On The Issue Of Lgbtq Rights Movement1733 Words   |  7 Pagesdiscrimination against gays and lesbians in getting occupations, financial issues, housing, public safety, and other aspects of routine life. All of the historians stated that there is evidence of homosexual activity and same-sex relationships, whether were accepted or not, in every documented culture; so they have the rights to live and they need to have the equal civil rights like other people. Through 500 years history of the United States life, there are evidences which show us there were gaysRead MoreThe Social Policy Welfare Programs1343 Words   |  6 PagesResearch shows that poverty has been a social problem for over five decades in America. During the 1960’s, the issue of poverty was first identified as a social problem and countless efforts have been made to eradicate poverty in the United States. In 1964, the Kennedy-Johnson administration declared a â€Å"War on Poverty† after the publication of Michael Harrington’s book, The Other America (1962). His book exposed how the other half lived in American society and became influential in beginning the processRead MoreThe Effects Of Binge Drinking On College Students1139 Words   |  5 Pagesin this time in life. Drinking games lead to excessive drinking and in turn, risky behaviors. Drinking games such as beer pong and flip-cup are widely accepted as party entertainment and cause unsafe level s of alcohol to be consumed. Unsafe sex and other risky behaviors are byproducts of alcohol consumption (Simons 30). DANGERS OF DRINKING The dangers that come from excessive drinking are long term and most often lethal. First, I will discuss the physical detriments of binge drinking. Excessive alcoholRead MoreThe American Counterculture Movement909 Words   |  4 Pagesrestrictions on student political activities, and dormitory rules that limited the hours that male and female students could socialize with each other. Restrictions on students handing out political pamphlets on university property led to the first campus demonstrations that broke out at the University of California at Berkeley, and soon spread to other campuses. Involvement in the Civil Rights Movement in the South initiated many students into radical politics. In the early 1960s, many white studentsRead MoreEssay on Uneven Ground: Appalachia Since 19451291 Words   |  6 Pagesnarrates the economic, political, and social change of Appalachia after World War II. He writes â€Å"persistent unemployment and poverty set Appalachia off as a social and economic problem area long before social critic Michael Harrington drew attention to the region as part of the â€Å"other America† in 1962.†(pp.2) Some of the structural problems stated by Eller include problems of land abuse, political corruption, economic shortsightedness, and the loss of community and culture; personally view the economicRead MoreDwight D. Eisenhower and Civil Rights Act Essay995 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Levittown† Dr. Benjamin Spock, Baby and Child Care Conformity William Whyte Jr., The Organization Man David Riesman, The Lonely Crowd â€Å"Beats† Allen Ginsberg Jack Kerouac, On The Road J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye Michael Harrington, The Other America â€Å"Culture of Poverty† â€Å"Urban Renewal† Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 1954 Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896 â€Å"With all deliberate speed† â€Å"Massive Resistance† Rosa Parks SCLC Jackie Robinson Federal Highway Act, 1956 Army-McCarthyRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement Of America1645 Words   |  7 Pages America has experienced many periods in history that shape the social system we have today. Many of our adopted attitudes and beliefs have outlined our present and nearing future into a more liberal society. Following World War II, America was placed on a pedestal admired by the world around it for success during the post-war period. America had more internal damage that was not reflective of the values the country was set on. Entering the post War period, a group of college students advocated