English 1A: Essay Outline

Eva Tovar Gil

Professor Monique Williams

English 1A

December 11, 2013

Essay Outline: Poverty Stereotypes

Prevents Connection

TS: Middle class Americans avoid relating themselves to the poor for fear of their poverty becoming viral against them.

“Acknowledging the poor opens the door to perilous thoughts. We are forced to consider: ‘Can it happen to me?’” (72)

“To many, poverty is regarded as a personal declaration of failure, a measure of fundamental unworthiness, or, as in Caradine’s case, a blight on an upstanding community. (72)

“Empathizing with the psychological toll that poverty takes on the poor is impossible if we pretend it’s not in our midst.” (75)

Defined by the 1%

TS: Politicians and the rich blame the poor for the expanse of poverty within the nation.

“House Speaker Newt Gingrich invoked the familiar specter of negative racial stereotypes when he labeled President Barack Obama the ‘best food stamp President in American history’ and called African Americans in particular to ‘demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps’.” (21)

“Although politicians hate to address poverty, the media are delving into the plight of the poor because the escalating numbers of the ‘new poor’ and ‘near poor’ are white citizens who are now struggling alongside long-suffering citizens of color.” (45)

“Politicians have color-coded poverty, making it a Black or brown thing.” (73)

“Cain boasted. ‘If you don’t have a job and you are not rich, blame yourself.” (82)

“I don’t want to make Black people’s lives better by them somebody else’s money.” (82)

“I’m not concerned about the very poor. We have a safety net there.” (82)

Solution

TS: Resignation and acceptance upon poverty not being caused by stereotypical beliefs can open up the rich and judgmental imaginations to finding ways to better the nation’s economy.

“We have the resources, experience, and knowledge to virtually eliminate poverty, especially long-term poverty, but we do not yet have the political will.” (46)

“Unless and until we rethink, re-imagine, and redefine how we confront poverty, it will never be eradicated.” (69)

“The truth about poverty must be affirmed . . . Affirmation leads to validation, which compels us to action.” (72)

“Love for us means everyone is worthy of a life of dignity and decency—just because . . . The sheer humanity of each and every one of us warrants our steadfast commitment to the well-being of each other” (134)

“He (President Truman) engaged minds, hearts, and imaginations and challenged Congress to see themselves as protectors of the nation’s welfare.” (143)

“To achieve this (end of poverty) goal, it’s necessary to change outmoded 20th-century mindsets, perceptions, and attitudes as we dare to bring the subject of poverty into the mainstream.” (148)

“In America, the wealthy one percent now find themselves in the grip of highly contagious social-media campaign ignited by five undeniable and power words:

‘We are the 99 percent!’” (152)

“With imagination, we can stem the decline of stable and long-neglected neighborhoods.” (160)