Book
Recommendation Hillbilly
Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by
J.D. Vance
This book at the
very least reminds us that the pathologies some attribute to
inner-city black folks are just as prevalent in the white underclass
as well. Dr. Thomas Sowell, in his great essay, “Black Rednecks and
White liberals” says that the inner-city culture of violence,
sensitivity about honor, lack of a work ethic, non-marital births and
drug/alcohol addiction is not a black culture, but one freed slaves
picked up from the poor southern whites they associated with about
ablution. The culture Vance comes with has all of these. This book
should especially be read by policy makers, social workers and other
mental health professionals. Vance’s mother was a drug addict and
since I have a stepdaughter, 43, who has been on and off heroin and
hasn’t had a full-time job in 20 years, I understand the situation
more than most. Vance was lucky in that he was very bright, which
gave him a path out. But he made the decision, when he decided he
wasn’t ready for college, to join the Marine Corps, and there
received the priceless gifts of self-discipline and self confidence.
As a fellow graduate of the Parris Island Finishing School, I have
had a long, happy and successful life, because I received the same
gifts. Vance went on to get a degree from Ohio State and a law degree
from Yale. He details how his background help him back, and how he
overcame it with the help of the woman, a fellow student, who became
his wife. He doesn’t think the situation can ever be eliminated,
but has sensible policy suggestions for mitigating it. This book is
highly readable and well worth your time. Semper Fidelis, Brother.
Congratulations on your accomplishments.
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