To get out of my fiction habit I decided to take part in Non-fiction November and picked up “Eviction.” It was very illuminating.
These past few years I’ve often wondered how people who work for minimum wage are getting by. And this book clearly told me that they are not. Not at all. I knew some things about the welfare system in this country but I didn’t realize just how unhelpful it was until this book. A three person family shouldn’t have to live off a $50 a month while giving 80% of their aid to a landlord only to be kicked out anyway because they called an ambulance when their son had a seizure. And to think it’s probably gotten 10 times worse due to the housing crisis.
A quarter of the way through I started limiting myself to 2 chapters a day because I could feel the anxiety and stress of his subjects coming through the page.
I felt devastated for them but also grateful everything I have.
I can completely relate to your feelings. It’s eye-opening to see the struggles people face, especially those working for minimum wage. I had a similar reaction, and it’s disheartening to realize the inadequacies of the welfare system. I had to pace myself through the book as well; the stories are so powerful, they evoke a mix of emotions. It’s a stark reminder of the disparities in our society. I’m grateful for what I have, and this book adds a new perspective to Thanksgiving.