poverty

Viola Davis: ‘Poor People Are Invisible. I Know Because I Was That.’

Actress Viola Davis has always been forthright about the hardships she faced throughout her upbringing.…

Paul Ryan says, “I don’t have a racist bone in my body.” Why does every famous person accused of racism say that?

The Truth About Paul Ryan’s Unemployment Legislation

After the Senate passed House Joint Resolution 42, which provides states with much more freedom…

Bridging the Digital Divide Where Bridges are Few

I trekked more than 1,000 miles across Mississippi with Mic‘s video team to talk to people…

For Black Families, Doing Everything “Right” Isn’t Always Enough

Even if Black People “Play by the Rules” It’s Still Very Difficult to Succeed

It's important to recognize the fact that Black families often end up stuck with a…

What Recovery?

The Relentless Poverty of Albany, Georgia

It is perhaps America's greatest embarrassment. And our greatest indictment. That a country with such…

The U.S. Is Letting Poor Kids Fall Further and Further Behind in Reading

Poor Kids Continue to Fall Behind Academically

Fourth grade is considered a crucial benchmark for reading, because by that age kids are…

Black Children and Poverty

Poverty has fallen for kids in White, Hispanic and Asian families in the last five…

For Homeless Families, Quick Exit From Shelters Is Only A Temporary Fix

Shelters Only a Temporary Fix for Homeless Families

More than 150,000 U.S. families are homeless each year. The number has been going down,…

Geography of Poverty

The United States of Poverty

Perhaps America's greatest paradox and greatest tragedy is how a country with our riches and…

New brain science shows poor kids have smaller brains than affluent kids

Study: Poverty Damages the Brain

New research that shows poor children have smaller brains than affluent children has deepened the…