Summary of the White Ghetto: In Appalachia the Country Is Beautiful and the Society Is Broken
The white ghetto is an evocative reading written by Williamson Kevin and published in the national review. The article is set in the social background of experiences in Appalachia, Mississippi. Williams begins by showing that even though the community is populated with Scots and other whites, the majority of the vices associated with ghetto communities have taken residence here. The first paragraph of the article focuses on the characteristics of the community, which Williamson shows to be largely white. Such characteristics include low life expectancies, increased crime rate, ease of drug and prostitution as crimes and increased teen pregnancies.
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Rampant unemployment in the region has brought on characters such as Jimmy whom Williamson meets on his first-day tour. According to Williamson, Jimmy an unemployed, homeless and possibly drunk character spends his time playing pranks on citizens; encouraging and convincing them to register for welfare programs that do not exist. Because of the despair and desperation prevalent in this region, it is not surprising that he can convince people of non-existent welfare programs. However, Williamson does offer a spot of contrast in his article, that is, there are few from this area that has succeeded. They have acquired the right skills and academic prowess to secure success. Unfortunately, as Williamson states, they often leave and never return. This continued migration has caused a kind of desolation with businesses failing and institutions shutting doors thereby stagnating the development of the region completely.
Unlike the majority of the desolate towns, Owsley County cannot point to a singular event which brought on poverty and failure to the community. For decades, even when coal was being mined from this region, the town wallowed in poverty. However, even with the increase in poverty, it is important to note that the town experiences very little violent crime. This is a characteristic that distinguishes it from other ghettos often associated with high rates of murder, manslaughter and assault. Although the main chief of the area, Langdon disputes this, Williamson indicates that the majority of the crimes are drug-related with at least a third of the population interacting with drugs at one time or another.
Williamson posits an interesting point of view in his analysis of the white ghetto community. However, it seems like he is determined to portray the community in poor light. A brief history into the fall of the Appalachian community would be good, giving the reader insight into the town. It is important to note eastern Kentucky has its own good share of poor communities. These communities though filled with problems have not despaired completely. In one sentence, Williamson indicates that rapture has some kind of appeal for those who have been left behind. This means that they have fully given up on the improvement of social and economic status. On another, he, however, contradicts by stating that citizens hold out hope that the highway project will revive the community’s social and economic Statius. The premise held by Williamson is however right, the community faces tough challenges and will continue on a downward path if ignored. The problems of the community are well documented and can be clearly understood. He concludes with the premise that the government through the welfare system and other programs has caused dependency which in turn discourages productivity and economic excellence.
In conclusion, the article “In Appalachia the Country Is Beautiful and the Society Is Broken” sheds light on the socioeconomic struggles faced by the white ghetto community in Appalachia. It highlights the high rates of poverty, unemployment, drug-related crime, and the impact of government dependency on the community’s development and well-being. While there are pockets of success and individuals who have managed to overcome these challenges, the overall picture remains one of despair and stagnation. The article emphasizes the urgent need for attention and support from both the government and society to address the deep-rooted issues and foster sustainable growth in this marginalized community. It serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination needed to uplift the lives of those living in the white ghetto and create a brighter future for Appalachia as a whole.
Work Cited
Williamson, Kevin. “In Appalachia the country is beautiful and the society is broken”. National Review. January 2014.
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