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Waltzing With the Ghost of Tom Joad: Poverty, Myth, and Low-Wage Labor in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, eighth-poorest state in the nation, poverty is a pressing social problem. Even so, Robert Lee Maril’s Waltzing with the Ghost of Tom Joad is the first comprehensive analysis of poverty in the state.
Skillfully combining ethnography with statistical analysis, Maril portrays the lives of poverty-stricken Oklahomans, many of them children, minorities, and the elderly. Exploring myths about the poor and discussing the facts behind these myths, Maril discusses the real causes of poverty in the state, especially low-wage labor. He concludes by presenting a public-policy agenda that would benefit the poor directly and, in so doing, improve the lives of all Oklahomans.
From the Foreword by Robert McCormick:
Why did my grandparents and many Oklahomans of their generation escape from poverty while many others did not? The reasons are not clear. Nor do we have easy explanations for those present-day Oklahomans fighting the same struggle. Robert Lee Maril’s compelling account shows the plight of hundreds of thousands who remain poor even though conditions in the state have vastly improved. Blaming the victim is not an option for intelligent and caring Oklahomans. The question before us today is, what will we do as citizens to reduce the level of poverty in our state? From my vantage point as someone who has fought for increased opportunities for Oklahomans. I have seen a common thread that runs through story after story of individuals who make the move from poverty to prosperity: that thread is access to and support for education. Inherent inequalities in economic and family backgrounds often dissipate before doors that education routinely opens. One wonders in reading Dr. Maril’s accounts of Oklahomans in poverty how different their stories might have been had someone cared enough to see to it that their underlying condition of poverty did not interfere with their opportunity to get an education.
Skillfully combining ethnography with statistical analysis, Maril portrays the lives of poverty-stricken Oklahomans, many of them children, minorities, and the elderly. Exploring myths about the poor and discussing the facts behind these myths, Maril discusses the real causes of poverty in the state, especially low-wage labor. He concludes by presenting a public-policy agenda that would benefit the poor directly and, in so doing, improve the lives of all Oklahomans.
From the Foreword by Robert McCormick:
Why did my grandparents and many Oklahomans of their generation escape from poverty while many others did not? The reasons are not clear. Nor do we have easy explanations for those present-day Oklahomans fighting the same struggle. Robert Lee Maril’s compelling account shows the plight of hundreds of thousands who remain poor even though conditions in the state have vastly improved. Blaming the victim is not an option for intelligent and caring Oklahomans. The question before us today is, what will we do as citizens to reduce the level of poverty in our state? From my vantage point as someone who has fought for increased opportunities for Oklahomans. I have seen a common thread that runs through story after story of individuals who make the move from poverty to prosperity: that thread is access to and support for education. Inherent inequalities in economic and family backgrounds often dissipate before doors that education routinely opens. One wonders in reading Dr. Maril’s accounts of Oklahomans in poverty how different their stories might have been had someone cared enough to see to it that their underlying condition of poverty did not interfere with their opportunity to get an education.
- GenresNonfiction
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 24, 2016
Case studies, statistical reviews and analyses counteracting myths concerning poor people in Oklahoma in the late 20th century. Contrary to the widely-espoused myth, most poor people work for a living in full-time but poorly paid jobs with no chance for advancement (even if they are led to believe there is that chance), or in a series of poorly paid part-time jobs created to prevent job stability and avoid offering benefits. The poor include all races and histories. Keeping generations poor are the expected problems of poor education, lack of health care, lack of transportation, difficulty of obtaining aid even when available, and other problems that could be solved with planning, patience and participation of all classes.
“We must as a state begin to partner with the poor, to see their best interests as everyone’s best interests. The price of failure is the loss of democracy. The ghost of Tom Joad is at the party, waiting on the dance floor for the music to begin… as the band strikes up a tune. It is a waltz.
“Who will waltz with the ghost of Tom Joad?” p. 155
“We must as a state begin to partner with the poor, to see their best interests as everyone’s best interests. The price of failure is the loss of democracy. The ghost of Tom Joad is at the party, waiting on the dance floor for the music to begin… as the band strikes up a tune. It is a waltz.
“Who will waltz with the ghost of Tom Joad?” p. 155
February 24, 2017
Deeply moving, if you can describe dry nonfiction that way...Tom Joad, hero of THE GRAPES OF WRATH, still haunts Oklahoma...and it's time to stop ignoring him. We must respect his experiences, be honest about our part in his struggles, and work to make life fairer, more equitable.
Maril sent researchers out to live in four different communities in the state in the 90's, had them return in 2-1/2 years to observe...to interview...to witness.
He then takes the hard data on poverty in Oklahoma and weaves his analysis into these stories. These people's lives. His observations lead to the myths we tell ourselves about people in poverty, and to his analysis and recommendations.
This book was published in 2000, with the work done in the late 90's. Everything I've read tells me we have made little to NO progress in making lives better in our state. We ignore the ghost of Tom Joad, even when he's right in front of us...
The correlates of poverty: health history, education, crime rate, transportation, housing, rates of incarceration, homelessness. Then and now.
Social myths of poverty and people who survive: The Poor are Lazy, Poor People in OK are Minorities, The Poor Cheat on Welfare, The Cost-of-Living is Lower in OK. Most poor people DO have jobs...many have full-time jobs, at low wages. The majority of poor in OK aren't on welfare at all. That cost of living myth is used against teachers too, as justification of OUR low salaries. The thing is, poor people often are forced to buy food at local markets that sell goods at huge mark-ups. Housing is also much more expensive, considering deposits, lost deposits, repairs. The supposed lower cost of living does NOT make it easier for any of us to live in this state....
The economy here is based on low-wage jobs, with no advancement opportunities...our policy makers invite corporations to come here on the promise of cheap labor...at the same time, oil field and construction jobs (often better-paid) have been drying up. Low-wage jobs carry with them more risk of safety issues and health issues. We've invited Tom Joad to the dance on false pretenses, and then ignore his objections.
Maril's recommendations include changing public policy to 'reduce suffering and promote dignity.' He says we must tackle the systemic poverty in OKC, Tulsa, and Little Dixie.
I was disappointed in his education recommendations...that section seemed to be written hastily, and with little evidence...he repeats the 'can't throw money at education' myth after carefully dismantling the myths of poverty...he says the state has too many school districts, and too many higher education institutions...but he offers NO recommendation...just don't throw money around. I found that the biggest weakness in the book.
Public health must be addressed -- health care in rural areas, preventive medicine, reproductive health care are vital. Adequate health care and health insurance for OK's children must be provided.
"Reducing poverty in OK will cost money...a reallocation of fiscal resources...require comprehensive planning, time, patience, inspirational leadership and the participation of all classes of citizens."
I have to admit I find it disheartening to realize all these problems discussed in this 17-year-old book are STILL plaguing our state..
And Tom Joad is still waiting for us to stop ignoring him, and to dance.
Maril sent researchers out to live in four different communities in the state in the 90's, had them return in 2-1/2 years to observe...to interview...to witness.
He then takes the hard data on poverty in Oklahoma and weaves his analysis into these stories. These people's lives. His observations lead to the myths we tell ourselves about people in poverty, and to his analysis and recommendations.
This book was published in 2000, with the work done in the late 90's. Everything I've read tells me we have made little to NO progress in making lives better in our state. We ignore the ghost of Tom Joad, even when he's right in front of us...
The correlates of poverty: health history, education, crime rate, transportation, housing, rates of incarceration, homelessness. Then and now.
Social myths of poverty and people who survive: The Poor are Lazy, Poor People in OK are Minorities, The Poor Cheat on Welfare, The Cost-of-Living is Lower in OK. Most poor people DO have jobs...many have full-time jobs, at low wages. The majority of poor in OK aren't on welfare at all. That cost of living myth is used against teachers too, as justification of OUR low salaries. The thing is, poor people often are forced to buy food at local markets that sell goods at huge mark-ups. Housing is also much more expensive, considering deposits, lost deposits, repairs. The supposed lower cost of living does NOT make it easier for any of us to live in this state....
The economy here is based on low-wage jobs, with no advancement opportunities...our policy makers invite corporations to come here on the promise of cheap labor...at the same time, oil field and construction jobs (often better-paid) have been drying up. Low-wage jobs carry with them more risk of safety issues and health issues. We've invited Tom Joad to the dance on false pretenses, and then ignore his objections.
Maril's recommendations include changing public policy to 'reduce suffering and promote dignity.' He says we must tackle the systemic poverty in OKC, Tulsa, and Little Dixie.
I was disappointed in his education recommendations...that section seemed to be written hastily, and with little evidence...he repeats the 'can't throw money at education' myth after carefully dismantling the myths of poverty...he says the state has too many school districts, and too many higher education institutions...but he offers NO recommendation...just don't throw money around. I found that the biggest weakness in the book.
Public health must be addressed -- health care in rural areas, preventive medicine, reproductive health care are vital. Adequate health care and health insurance for OK's children must be provided.
"Reducing poverty in OK will cost money...a reallocation of fiscal resources...require comprehensive planning, time, patience, inspirational leadership and the participation of all classes of citizens."
I have to admit I find it disheartening to realize all these problems discussed in this 17-year-old book are STILL plaguing our state..
And Tom Joad is still waiting for us to stop ignoring him, and to dance.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews