Leaving the twenties, there was an illusion of abundance (Mintz & McNeil). And though it seemed like there was wealth, it was not accurate. Most families lived below poverty lines and struggled. In particular immigrants. This feels very relevant to today. There is an idea and illusion of wealth, where media shows certain lifestyles being the average. Most people own technology that could have only been for the wealthiest just twenty years ago. In actuality, most in the United States are one hospital visit away from houselessness and extreme poverty. Many are in debt that they will struggle to ever repay and will not ever own a home. These struggles disproportionately continue to affect BIPOC, immigrant, queer, and disabled communities and peoples. Leadership in the 30's also publicly denied the problems, stating that the houseless were better fed than they ever had been and insisting things were fine (Mintz & McNeil). This continues today, with those in power blaming those who cannot afford basic necessities and insisting those living in poverty are living off the systems and benefits and trying to perpetuate the belief that everything is okay.
While the New Deal intended to leave nobody behind, like any program it was flawed (Living New Deal). Black communities continued to face problems relating to ongoing white supremacy and resistance to change. For immigrants, opportunities were limited, and they were not allowed to apply. Though the WPA tried to state that any disabled person who could hold a job should not be prevented, states had different policies and prejudices. There was an effort to create more work for women, but the nature of gender roles meant that masculine jobs would still disclude them leading to less opportunities. So though there were improvements, depending on a person's race, gender, ability, and immigration status there continued to be disproportionate disadvantages.
Mintz, S., & McNeil, S. (2018). Digital History. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu
Living New Deal. Department of Geography. University of California. https://livingnewdeal.org/racism-and-beyond/new-deal-inclusion/
While the New Deal intended to leave nobody behind, like any program it was flawed (Living New Deal). Black communities continued to face problems relating to ongoing white supremacy and resistance to change. For immigrants, opportunities were limited, and they were not allowed to apply. Though the WPA tried to state that any disabled person who could hold a job should not be prevented, states had different policies and prejudices. There was an effort to create more work for women, but the nature of gender roles meant that masculine jobs would still disclude them leading to less opportunities. So though there were improvements, depending on a person's race, gender, ability, and immigration status there continued to be disproportionate disadvantages.
Mintz, S., & McNeil, S. (2018). Digital History. http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu
Living New Deal. Department of Geography. University of California. https://livingnewdeal.org/racism-and-beyond/new-deal-inclusion/