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| Credit: Edythe McNamee/CNN |
The U.S. is facing an ever widening economic gap, a gap that
has grown so large that in parts of the country economic inequality is greater
than in developing nations such as Iran, and Nigeria. An example of this decimation
of the U.S. middle class can be found in East Carroll Parish Louisiana, a place
that John D Sutter dubbed “the most unequal place in America.”
The article discusses how since the 1970’s the U.S. has seen
the gap between the rich and the poor grow to extreme levels, and this is
quickly turning the country into a two-class society. For instance, in East
Carroll the richest 5% earn 611,000 per year on average, while the bottom 20% only
make 6,800 per year on average. The article goes on to address the root causes of
the extreme economic disparity found in East Carroll Parish. Unsurprisingly,
much of the inequality has its roots in slavery and racial discrimination, but
now the biggest hurdle is class itself. With no middle class, there is
virtually no opportunity for economic or social mobility. This situation is cause
for alarm, because the disparities in this Parish have been the norm for so
long that many of the most disadvantaged residents have accepted things as they
are. They have lost any hope of attaining greater economic freedom and
opportunity, because very little exists. As the author states, “The gap is so
big they no longer can see across.”
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| Credit: Edythe McNamee/CNN |
This article is a fantastic reminder that whether rich,
poor, or middle class, we Americans are all heavily influenced by the forces that
shape our lives, and many of the good or bad we experience is due- in large
part- to the privilege we are granted, or lack thereof. It is also a warning to
the nation. For many of the people
in East Carroll Parish, there appears to be no hope of making a better life for
themselves or their children. If we continue to encourage policies that allow
the gap between rich and poor to grow, we may well end up at a place where a majority
of the nation is living in poverty.
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