Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America's Heartland

Dying of Whiteness: How the Politics of Racial Resentment is Killing America's Heartland

by Jonathan M. Metzel

Pages: 341

Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The author, Jonathan Metzel, a physician reveals how extreme right-wing backlash policies have deadly consequences for the white middle and lower class voters they promise to help. In the Donald Trump era many middle-class white Americans are drawn to him and other politicians promising to make America great for the middle and working class again, but in reality the policies they are putting in place only assist the wealthy and are damaging to all middle and lower class citizens. He examines these policies in relationship to mortality rates and illness rates. 

Having been born in Kansas, grown-up in Missouri and now living and working in Tennessee, he chose these three familiar states to interview everyday citizens. He examines how racial resentment has fueled pro-gun laws in Missouri, resistance to the Affordable Care Act in Tennessee and lead to cuts in school funding and social services in Kansas. 

I had no idea that citizens of other states and researchers have started referring to Missouri as the "Shoot Me State" instead of the "Show Me State" or that Missouri is the state currently being researched the most for gun violence, suicide by guns and overall death by guns. I was also surprised to learn that the suicide by gun rate for white males in Missouri is higher than any other state and for any other group. So, much to learn from this book!!

The Center of Everything

 

The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty

Pages: 252

4 out of 5 stars

Set in small town, Kerrville, Kansas, this novel is told by Evelyn Bucknow. Evelyn is a young girl, when we met her, her mom, Grandma and the neighbors in their ran-down apartment building. You share Evelyn's life and thoughts as she grows up - up to the point where she is ready to leave home for college. The people of Kerrville are in the center of the United States, but to Evelyn it might as well be the middle of nowhere. Evelyn's voice is authentic as a young girl and later teen, growing up in rural America in the 1980s during the Reagan years. 

"Dumped in Oz" by Andrew Grey

Book one in the Tales from Kansas series finds Lyle Powers transferring from Pittsburg, PA, to rural Kansas for one year for his job.  On his first day there, he eats at a local restaurant where he meets the baker, Roger Kypers, a single father with a crazy ex-wife and protective 13-year-old daughter.  The two men hit it off, but the ex-wife causes problems that could push Roger off of the wagon.  I didn't much care for the writing style of the author; exposition was used more than the "show, don't tell" technique, and did not allow me to invest emotionally in either character.  I did feel sorry for Roger and his circumstances, but Lyle's character wasn't really explored in-depth.  I almost forgot to explain that "Oz" refers to "The Wizard of Oz," about which there is a museum in this small town.  127 pages (Kindle edition).