Versed on the Disadvantaged
When was the last time you helped another person? What did you do? Do you consider this to be a “hand up”
or a “handout”? Why?
When assisting a person financially, academically, spiritually or emotionally, what is the difference between a
“hand up” and a “handout”?
Please read “In the Trenches of a War on Unyielding Poverty” and answer the following questions:
How many Americans live in poverty?
How many people under the age of 18 live in poverty?
What does the Census Bureau’s research show about the social classes in the United States?
What blocks the “escape routes” to a better life for people in Pembroke Township?
Why isn’t Tunica County, Mississippi the poorest county in the nation?
What is the average per capita income in Pembroke Township?
What new project will develop jobs for people in the area?
According to the article, what does Calvin Murell’s house look like?
According to Mr. Dyson, what oppresses the people of Pembroke?
What do critics of Mr. Dyson say about his practice?
What types of illnesses and medical conditions does Dr. Alford treat?
How much is Ms. Daniels’ food stamp allotment per month?
According to the article, what makes the Daniels family similar to families who are not poor?
You’re now going to view poems relating to “In the Trenches of a War on Unyielding Poverty” and present your
interpretation to the class. Be sure to think about the meaning of the poem/interpretation, the themes of the
poem (inner strength, expectations, dreams, difference, anger, etc.).
Poems:
“Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes
“Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes
“The Bean Eaters” by Gwendolyn Brooks
“Alone” by Maya Angelou
“Minority Poem” by Wing Tek Lum
“The Poor” by William Carlos Williams
Your presentation should include:
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An introduction to the poem’s theme,
An explanation of who is speaking in the poem, and why this voice is significant to the poem;
A reading of the poem
An explanation of how the poem and its theme connects to the article.
Then you will create a collage on how your poem connects with the situation described in the article. The collage
should include (but not be limited to):
 A quote from the article that represents the theme of the poem
 A quote from the poem that represents the theme