Lehigh Valley Humanists

Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Evicted reimagines the debate on poverty, making a “provocative and compelling” (NPR) argument about why it persists in America: because the rest of us benefit from it.
“Urgent and accessible . . . Its moral force is a gut punch.”—The New Yorker
The United States, the richest country on earth, has more poverty than any other advanced democracy. Why? Why does this land of plenty allow one in every eight of its children to go without basic necessities, permit scores of its citizens to live and die on the streets, and authorize its corporations to pay poverty wages?

In this landmark book, acclaimed sociologist Matthew Desmond draws on history, research, and original reporting to show how affluent Americans knowingly and unknowingly keep poor people poor. Those of us who are financially secure exploit the poor, driving down their wages while forcing them to overpay for housing and access to cash and credit. We prioritize the subsidization of our wealth over the alleviation of poverty, designing a welfare state that gives the most to those who need the least. And we stockpile opportunity in exclusive communities, creating zones of concentrated riches alongside those of concentrated despair. Some lives are made small so that others may grow.

Elegantly written and fiercely argued, this compassionate book gives us new ways of thinking about a morally urgent problem. It also helps us imagine solutions. Desmond builds a startlingly original and ambitious case for ending poverty. He calls on us all to become poverty abolitionists, engaged in a politics of collective belonging to usher in a new age of shared prosperity and, at last, true freedom.

Steve will be moderating this month. Hope you can join us for some thoughtful discussion.

Upcoming books:
September: Book Selection Month: Please bring a book to recommend.
October: Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Dr. Anna Lembke (Kathy)

Kick off the "spooky" month of October with Maris, solving a murder!

We'll be playing a Murder Mystery Party Case File about a startup company. I won't say more, to keep it a mystery!

We will meet at a comic book/game shop, so be prepared to get your nerd on!

Please consider supporting this local shop by buying some dice, cards, graphic novel, gifts, etc., since they graciously let us use their space and it is a haven for many.

Snacks and drinks may possibly be purchased at the shop (though it is requested to keep them away during the game as to keep everything clean), and/or at CVS next door.

Free street parking is available, as well as parking in the overflow lot diagonally across from CVS.

Please make sure to keep your RSVP updated, as slots are limited and there may be a waiting list, and please do not attend if you are or start to feel ill.

Content unsuitable for those under age 14.

If for some reason you are late (please try to be on time), please proceed to the BACK ROOM of the store; we will be in there somewhere (it's a large space, so look around if you don't see us right away).