Very interesting article
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Very interesting article
| Thu, 05-21-2009 - 7:08pm |
I found this both very informative and incredibly sad.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/17/AR2009051702053.html?g=0
Robyn

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That was an interesting article.
I don't think all upperclass neighborhoods are that aloof.
(Long time lurker delurking here)
This article pushed all kinds of buttons in me! I understand that the writer was addressing an audience who (he believed) was comprised of "outsiders to the poor circles", but I found it condescending, patronizing and offensive (not to say downright "classicist"). His choice of examples and anecdotes were all redolent of the "the poor are poor because dumb and/or lazy" attitude (the person who said they would rather pay 10 bucks extra rather than mailing a check, for example...; or the man who would pay 15 dollars on a regular basis to have checks cashed versus getting a new Driver's License. Seriously! And, yes, may be descriptions of women wearing a white eye-liner and white nails or red pants, purple skirt and thick black eyeliner are really enhancing his narrative style, but I resent the way his portrayal focuses on their clothing: not only does he portray poverty as 'clownish" and "tasteless", but I also had to ask myself: is this a fashion advice piece or a serious article?!
This is what I was going to say as well.
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