Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

xchrom

(108,903 posts)
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 07:40 AM Jun 2014

Why Do We Hate the Poor?

https://www.commondreams.org/view/2014/06/29-2


A panhandler in Manhattan. (Photo: las initially/ cc/ Flickr)

***SNIP


I am honestly trying to understand the hatred that is reserved for the poor in this country, hatred as deep and noxious as a tar sands trail.

How to explain the downtown waiters I spoke with yesterday who snorted, “If they can’t pay their bills, too bad.” Or the mean-spirited letters to the editor penned by folks who seem oblivious to the outsourced jobs and the predatory lending schemes that have ravaged this city. Or the vitriol of self-righteous people who don’t understand that Detroit is the canary in the proverbial coal mine – a harbinger of the structural adjustment plan that is coming to a suburb near them.

Yup, just get an education at one of the abysmal state-controlled schools in Detroit, take out a college loan at exorbitant interest rates, and then ride the downtown People Mover to nowhere to find a job in a town with an unemployment rate double the national average. Oh yeah, and eat your soup by candlelight after paying your water bill with the money set aside for electricity. If your boots are still salvageable after the coldest winter in history, grab hold of those fraying straps and, like any good American, pull yourself up and live the dream!

Although today I am privileged to have a job and modest home, it wasn’t always that way.
4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Why Do We Hate the Poor? (Original Post) xchrom Jun 2014 OP
The media has told Americans to hate the poor liberal N proud Jun 2014 #1
Whoever coined the phrase yeoman6987 Jun 2014 #2
Just saying Mr Dixon Jun 2014 #3
fear. the relief of not being "them" cali Jun 2014 #4

liberal N proud

(60,302 posts)
1. The media has told Americans to hate the poor
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 07:49 AM
Jun 2014

Too many in this country let the media tell them what to think and this has led to the love of war and the rich while demonizing the poor.

 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
2. Whoever coined the phrase
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 07:55 AM
Jun 2014

"be a productive member of society" is to blame. I actually think I learned that in school. So it has been ingrained in everyone for decades if not longer.

Mr Dixon

(1,185 posts)
3. Just saying
Mon Jun 30, 2014, 07:57 AM
Jun 2014

Always treat people how you would like to be treated, I start my second job today the struggle is real people.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Why Do We Hate the Poor?