We are a country in crisis. Poverty, homelessness, and unfit housing continues to plague our society, along with issues of race and gender in America. During today’s conversation, leading economist Dr. Fred McKinney weighs in on the distinction between absolute and relative poverty; his belief is that while there will always be relative poor living among us, our focus should be on eradicating the presence of absolute poverty. Tune in to hear about the importance of government support, how the last six years have revealed that the country is in crisis, and why the poverty crisis cannot be separated from the problem of race and gender. Hear why Dr. Fred’s advice to listeners is that history, government, and activism are all important. He reminds listeners that nobody is going to save you, so you have to band together and get organized. Join the conversation today!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Absolute poverty versus relative poverty and how this pertains to life in America today.
• What happened when there were no housing codes in 1890.
• The landlords in New Haven who were taken to criminal housing court for the conditions of their rental properties.
• The danger of laissez faire economics.
• Why Dr. Fred believes there will always be relative poor living among us.
• His belief that we should therefore focus on eradicating the presence of absolute poverty.
• The importance of government in creating infrastructures to support this.
• How the last six years have revealed that the country is in crisis.
• Why the poverty crisis cannot be separated from the problem of race and gender.
• How the Roe v Wade ruling resembles 19th Century America.
• Threats Dr. Fred has been receiving in response to his column on the Connecticut Post.
• Redlining and how history plays a role in helping us understand where we are today.
• Dr. Fred’s parting message: history is important, government is important, and activism is important.
• His reminder that nobody is going to save you, so you have to band together and get organized!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Fred McKinney on LinkedIn

Dr. Fred McKinney on Twitter

Dr. Fred McKinney on Email
BJM Solutions

Vincencia Adusei on LinkedIn

Vincencia Adusei on Twitter

VASE Construction

Jimmy Miller on LinkedIn

Censere Consulting

Peter Wood on LinkedIn

YIMBY Nation Email

YIMBY Nation