America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves.... It is in fact a crime for an American to be poor, even though America is a nation of poor. Every other nation has folk traditions of men who were poor but extremely wise and virtuous, and therefore more estimable than anyone with power and gold. No such tales are told by American poor. They mock themselves and glorify their betters.

Summary

This quote highlights the paradoxical reality of wealth and poverty in America. Despite being the wealthiest nation, there is a stark contrast in the economic divide, where a significant portion of Americans are struggling and living in poverty. The quote suggests that alongside financial hardship, there is also a societal pressure for the poor to internalize their own shame and self-hatred. Unlike in other nations, where folklore celebrates wisdom and virtue found even amongst the impoverished, American narratives tend to glorify those in power and wealth, further perpetuating the marginalization of the poor.

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