By: Becky Goodman

Becky Goodman — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 19:00:36 +0000

I think it’s important to think about the socio-historical context that leads up to the homeless that see today. While Spain and America certainly have a shared history when it comes to colonizing there are other ideological and systemic differences between the two countries that I would argue manifest itself in the racial disparities you see. I don’t know anything about Spain’s race relations but we know that in America there have been decades and decades of marginalization that ensured the people of color were excluded from economic activities, therefore forcing them into poverty. Homelessness is also often tied to mental illness so I would be interested in investigating those connections.

By: Steven Feldman

Steven Feldman — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 23:59:56 +0000

Part of me is curious to the diversity present in other countries like Spain. For example, I studied last spring in Vienna, Austria and although I didn’t see too many Black people begging for money, I also didn’t see too many people of color in general in Austria. I also don’t necessarily find it a coincidence that Austria is primarily run by old, White men. Perhaps I wasn’t there long enough to learn about the racial and economic disparities in the country, but I also wonder if, like systemic oppression in America, much of their oppression has moved to a more implicit realm. Nonetheless, it is also possible that America is doing some things right and other things wrong. I definitely believe that a more global approach could help with a better understanding of how to approach America’s state of systemic injustices.

Comments on: Race & Poverty: It’s Different in America

By: Becky Goodman

By: Steven Feldman