Poverty, By America by Matthew Desmond

Desmond is a sociology professor at Princeton and an award winning author. He has a very thought provoking take on poverty. He argues that poverty exists in the U.S., the richest country in the world, because those who are not poor benefit from it. He convincingly argues that semantics confuse our understanding of how government policies help some of us while harming others. Welfare is described as government handouts, while all the tax breaks and perks created for property owners and the wealthy are seen as deserved benefits. The dollar amount of all these benefits to the non poor far outweigh the total benefits budgeted for the poor. Desmond’s book definitely broadened my understanding of why poverty is so entrenched and how well intentioned people are blind to the part they play in the problem. He not only offers an analysis of the causes of poverty; he also offers solutions. This book definitely helped me see a path forward that truly gets at the root of the problem. It will take short term sacrifice on the part those who are not poor, but in the long run, it will enrich us all. In the wealthiest country in the world, there really is enough to go around. Not only do we have the power to help our own country, but we have the ability to help the world alleviate poverty. It takes the will to do so.