America the Land of Contradictions

Submitted by Imane Khaddouch

          Poverty is a universal phenomenon that exists in all nations and can be obviously seen in our quotidian life through hungers and homeless people. Even in the most sophisticated countries, like The United States, there are many people who struggle to maintain the basic standard of living, while a little  portion of society monopolize wealth, prestige and power. According to Schaefer, the U.S Census Bureau reported that “one in five households has trouble meeting basic needs, from paying the utility bills to buying diner.”             
          The American society is a mixture of different races and cultures who brings with them the hope to find better opportunities to live better and realize the American dream. Unfortunately, many people fail to realize even the moderate dreams because of the inequality of opportunities or sometimes the hard luck. But, the inevitable truth is that there are many people who are ingrained in poverty and live a marginalized life.  In fact, even middle class people can experience poverty when they can’t afford their credit card bills, home mortgages and medical bills (in the absence of health insurance). Furthermore, many hardworking people lost their beautiful houses through mortgage foreclosures as they can’t pay their monthly mortgage, which is unfair punishment.

Poverty  continues to rise by over 40% as result of spending cuts and sharpest fall in incomes in 35 years, IFS Report Warns

The picture shows the high income inequality that helped early societies spread.

 Homelessness is one of the most dramatic aspects of poverty that is a real reality in the American society; however, wealthy people enjoy the luxury life. Every time you walk in the street, you will see victims of poverty, who are usually elderly people, who don’t have a permanent shelter or even food. Paradoxically, upper class families spend a lot of money to buy pets` food. Furthermore, the working class also struggles to afford a decent living because they support a huge family or they get low wages.
the following video talks about how the U.S poverty rate continues to raise.

The stratification of the American society becomes more and more obvious.  The inequality of access of education and medical coverage increase the gap between the upper class and the lower class.  Indeed, poor people should be aware of their rights as American citizens and have equal opportunities as the wealthy people have. On the other hand, they also should consider the importance of getting higher education, which is the key of success in the U.S. It is shameful to blame poor individuals about their situation, instead, we should give them a hand to improve their social situation and give them the hope to have a better future for them and their children.