Discover the Overlooked Face of American Poverty
Picture this: in a country where poverty supposedly wears one color, the reality hits hard—there are 40 million more poor white people than Black people. Yet polls show Republicans and Democrats alike tie poverty, welfare, and food stamps to Black skin. Why does this stubborn myth persist, and what’s it costing us? White Poverty by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove dives deep, exposing how these distortions fuel division and stall progress.
Flash back to the 1930s, when poverty had a white face during the Great Depression. Fast-forward, and costs for housing, healthcare, and education have exploded while wages flatline for everyone but the ultra-rich. Poor white families get handed 'whiteness' and social media rage as lifelines, but little else. Barber, hailed by Cornel West as our closest living heir to Dr. King, traces these threads with biblical clarity: poverty carries no shame, only politicians and billionaires benefit from our splits.
With 12 black-and-white illustrations adding visual punch, this hardcover isn't dry theory—it's a heartfelt rally cry. Barber argues white poverty is the overlooked key to dismantling racism, rallying tens of millions across lines.
Whether you're wrestling stagnant paychecks, eyeing welfare debates, or hungry for cross-racial solidarity, this book answers: How do we see poverty anew? What unites us beyond skin? Readers find empathy for forgotten families, tools to challenge narratives, and sparks for grassroots change. It's perfect for book clubs dissecting class, race, and democracy—or anyone pondering America's fractures. Published June 11, 2024, White Poverty feels urgent, blending intellect with soul to reconstruct our shared future. Pick it up, and step into the fusion movement.
