Poverty Quotes in Having Our Say

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

This was forty-five years after the Surrender, and most of these Negroes were in bad shape, child. It was like the ghetto is today. (4.13.13)

Although our country has come a long way since the Civil War, it's important to remember that poverty remains a serious problem to this day. It's also worth remembering that even modern problems have deep-seated historical roots.

Quote #5

Most of the students at the dental school were self-assured city folk, and their families were paying their tuition. I never had the luxury of focusing completely on my studies. (5.17.5)

Although Bessie is too strong-willed to give up, you can easily imagine another disadvantaged student being unable to juggle both work and school. How many poor kids were unable to achieve their dreams because they had to overcome twice as many hurdles as their wealthier peers?

Quote #6

Imagine not knowing that your child's neck is dirty. Well, there are a lot of people who weren't raised properly themselves, how can they teach their children right? (5.22.5)

Sadie hits the nail on the head. Not only does she rightly observe that poverty is cyclical, but she also identifies education as the best way out. To stop poverty, you have to break the cycle.