“Urban Crisis”
Many cities in America embraced new economic activities and ideas after the Second World War. A large of citizens glorified “city life” during the period. The number of people in different American cities increased after the war. This new development “resulted in different evils such as joblessness, insecurity, poor living conditions, and diseases” (Long 797).
Many African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans were unable to achieve their goals. New challenges such as homelessness and poverty became common in different cities. These problems “became major concerns in different American societies” (Germany 746). The government also failed to address most of the problems affecting its people.
Alecia Long uses her essay to analyze the challenges affecting the poor in the United States. Many people in the American society “have become invisible than ever before” (Long 798). This fact explains why “the poor should not make themselves visible in the wake of a hurricane” (Long 798). The American government has also ignored the experiences of many citizens. Many individuals in the country are languishing in poverty.
This situation explains why “the government should treat every urban challenge as a national problem” (Germany 46). The number of poor people in America has continued to rise. Such individuals lack “food, clothing, and shelter” (Germany 47). The agreeable fact is that the rich have ignored the needs of the poor. This situation is making it impossible for many individuals to achieve their goals. New incentives are therefore needed in order support the needs of these individuals.
Responses
Student One
The first student uses a paradox in order to explore the issues associated with the poor in America. According to the student, poverty remains a major problem in every American city. This problem affects many individuals across the country. The student uses his or her experiences in order to present the best arguments. The student also examines how inequality affects many people in America. The “poor should remain invisible because they are not part of the society” (Long 799).
The article also explores the issues associated with the Second World War. Many people migrated to different cities after the end of the Second World War. Such people wanted to get new opportunities and jobs. This development introduced new challenges such as overcrowding and joblessness. Such problems “produced new evils such as inequality, poverty, insecurity, and hopelessness” (Germany 748). The government should therefore use the best policies in order to deal with this problem.
Student Two
The student believes that the “postwar culture” created many problems in the United States. Although “the poor in different urban areas are visible, the government and other individuals have ignored their experiences” (Long 799). The government “has also failed to deal with the problem of urban poverty” (Long 800). The article also explains why different African Americans and Hispanics are currently facing numerous challenges in different urban areas.
The government must use new ideas in order to improve the living conditions of its citizens (Long 801). This article presents useful insights and ideas in order to deal with poverty in the country. The student also encourages the government to offer the best jobs to its people. This practice will eventually support the needs of many individuals in the country. The strategy will also improve the economy of the country.
Works Cited
Germany, K. “The Politics of Poverty and History: Racial Inequality and the Long Prelude to Katrina.” Journal of American History 94.1 (2007): 743-751. Print.
Long, A. “Poverty is the New Prostitution: Race, Poverty, and Public Housing in Post-Katrina New Orleans.” Journal of American History 94.1 (2007): 795-803. Print.