Andrea Elliott’s article “Girl in the Shadows: Dasani’s Homeless Life” depicts the trials and tribulations of a young girl named Dasani, who lives in a homeless shelter in New York City. The article “Amber Waves of Green,” by Jon Ronson, illustrates the different lives of people in the varying socio-economic classes. The experiences and opinions of rich and poor Americans reveal how the United States economy is set up to keep the poor impoverished, and the rich wealthy through unfair tax breakdowns, pay that is incommensurate with the level of work poor people do, and the government’s neglect of homeless people’s needs.
In the United States’ economy, there is a clear socio-economic hierarchy; one in which the wealthier people have privileges.
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Dasani spends a large portion of her days enduring the hardships of being homeless, such as unsanitary conditions. “It is a place where mold creeps up the wall and roaches swarm, where feces and vomit plug communal…,” (Elliott 142). What is even worse is that children younger than Dasani live in this unappealing environment. How are children supposed to lead the future if they can barely survive the present? “[Rolnik] said it was shameful that a country as wealthy as the US was not spending more money on lifting its citizens out of homelessness and substandard, overcrowded housing,” (McGreal). Although it is clear that so many U.S. citizens are suffering, the government has little to no efforts in decreasing the homeless population. The lack of initiative for the betterment of the homeless prevents them from becoming richer because their resources are extremely limited. Furthermore, it is more difficult for a homeless child to receive and education than it is for a child raised in a wealthy family. Homeless people are not provided with many opportunities, even though they need them more. “Connections with universities, employers and government will make sure you have access to many more opportunities. It also creates a network of contacts to pass on to your children to ensure the next generation stays as rich as you are. This unequal access to opportunities does make it harder for a poor person to become rich and helps a rich person stay rich,” (Reijman). Children cannot lead the future if they are not given the means to do so. If a population of children is not able to receive the education they deserve, how will they go on to contribute to