In the Ghetto
The Vicious Cycle | Born Into Poverty | Based on the song “In the Ghetto” Composed by: Mac DavisRecorded by: Elvis Presley, 1969 |
Renee Jayne
12/1/2010
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When Mac Davis wrote the song “In the Ghetto,” later recorded by Elvis Presley in 1969, he personified an inequality that he felt and experienced firsthand as a child. Growing up in Lubbock, Texas, Davis’ father, a small building contractor, employed an African American by the name of Alan Smith. Alan Smith had a son that was the same age as Davis and they often played together while their father’s went to work. (Sharpe) It became apparent to Davis, that unlike him, his playmate grew up in a different environment, an environment that would indicate poverty and crime. Thus, the inspiration for his song began. The term “ghetto,” often used to describe situations during the Holocaust, became a common term in American context, beginning in the late 60’s. (Sharpe) The goal during the Holocaust was to segregate those that were unwanted, a frequent reminder by the wall that enclosed them. It was a world of despair, poverty, and a situation where there was little hope of escaping. Metaphorically speaking, the ghetto today is similar in concept to the ghettos during WWII, in that the wall remains to segregate this population. In today’s economy, this populated area is termed as the projects. These areas are often considered to be inundated with drugs and violence.
During the Great Depression, public housing was in great need. With unemployment reaching 25 percent, many families could no longer afford housing and slum areas in cities began to grow. In 1933, the government federally funded the first public housing. This project provided housing for 604 white families; in addition, it would provide construction work to approximately 2000 workers. (Encyclopedia) These works upset proprietors who argued that government subsidized housing would drive the price down on their own property, due to the law of supply and
Renee Jayne
12/1/2010
|
When Mac Davis wrote the song “In the Ghetto,” later recorded by Elvis Presley in 1969, he personified an inequality that he felt and experienced firsthand as a child. Growing up in Lubbock, Texas, Davis’ father, a small building contractor, employed an African American by the name of Alan Smith. Alan Smith had a son that was the same age as Davis and they often played together while their father’s went to work. (Sharpe) It became apparent to Davis, that unlike him, his playmate grew up in a different environment, an environment that would indicate poverty and crime. Thus, the inspiration for his song began. The term “ghetto,” often used to describe situations during the Holocaust, became a common term in American context, beginning in the late 60’s. (Sharpe) The goal during the Holocaust was to segregate those that were unwanted, a frequent reminder by the wall that enclosed them. It was a world of despair, poverty, and a situation where there was little hope of escaping. Metaphorically speaking, the ghetto today is similar in concept to the ghettos during WWII, in that the wall remains to segregate this population. In today’s economy, this populated area is termed as the projects. These areas are often considered to be inundated with drugs and violence.
During the Great Depression, public housing was in great need. With unemployment reaching 25 percent, many families could no longer afford housing and slum areas in cities began to grow. In 1933, the government federally funded the first public housing. This project provided housing for 604 white families; in addition, it would provide construction work to approximately 2000 workers. (Encyclopedia) These works upset proprietors who argued that government subsidized housing would drive the price down on their own property, due to the law of supply and
Cited: Becker, Gary S. "Crime and Punishment: An Economic Approach." Journal of Political Economy (1968): 169-217. Bratt, Rachel. Rebuilding a Low Income Housing Policy. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1989. International, Habitat for Humanity. Habitat For Humanity. 2010. 9 November 2010 <http://www.habitat.org/how/why/us_stats_research.aspx>. Labor, U.S. Department of and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "A Profile of the Working Poor, 2008." March 2010. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 15 November 2010 <http://www.bls.gov/cps/cpswp2008.pdf>.