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2 editions on Cue Bookstore

Matthew Desmond

Matthew Desmond, a Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist, brings an depth of research and lived observation to expose the systemic forces and policy choices that actively create and sustain poverty in America.

2
editions on Cue Bookstore
Readings on Cue Bookstore

Readings listed below

Cover of Evicted
Free edition

Evicted

This episode delves into the groundbreaking work of Matthew Desmond, challenging our assumptions about home, stability, and justice. We explore how eviction, often seen as a consequence of poverty, is in fact a powerful, systemic driver that actively creates and perpetuates destitution. We examine eviction not just as a personal tragedy, but as a catastrophic event dismantling lives, leading to job loss, health crises, and deeper poverty, often trapping individuals in an inescapable cycle. The discussion uncovers the predatory nature of low-income housing markets, where basic human needs are exploited for profit, leaving vulnerable tenants with little recourse. Finally, we confront the disproportionate burden placed on women, particularly Black women, highlighting the systemic biases and invisible labor that make them uniquely susceptible to housing instability. Desmond's work compels us to recognize stable housing as a foundational human right, arguing that widespread eviction undermines the very fabric of society, perpetuating suffering and diminishing us all. This is a call to rethink our collective responsibility and the true cost of home.

19 minOpen edition
Cover of Poverty By America
Free edition

Poverty By America

It's easy to see poverty as a distant problem, a tragic consequence of individual choices or unfortunate circumstances. We might donate to charities, feel a pang of guilt, and then move on, believing we've done our part. But what if our own comfort, our daily routines, and the very structures that benefit us are quietly, systematically perpetuating the problem? Matthew Desmond argues that American poverty isn't just in America; it's actively created by America. He uncovers the hidden mechanisms – from housing policies to predatory lending – that drain wealth from the poor and concentrate it elsewhere. This isn't about blaming individuals, but about recognizing how our collective choices, often made without malice, uphold a system that ensures poverty persists. It's an uncomfortable mirror, reflecting how our society is designed, and what it truly costs to maintain the status quo. This episode asks us to look closely at the architecture of inequality, and our own place within it.

23 minOpen edition
Biography

Matthew Desmond, a Pulitzer Prize-winning sociologist, brings an depth of research and lived observation to expose the systemic forces and policy choices that actively create and sustain poverty in America.