Urban education and poverty in the United States

The United States’ robust economy is internationally touted for its prodigious GDP ($13.21 trillion), diverse and reliable methods of production, and the great fortunes that have been made here. (Hatfield, 2) There are more millionaires in America than the rest of the world combined; California’s GDP alone is greater than that of Germany’s- which has the third highest GDP in the world. The U.S. consistently exports goods at unprecedented rates, ranging from high-tech electronics- to Nebraska grain. Historically, American business regulations have proven to be conducive to innovation and achievement, leading to life-changing inventions, and facilitating the emergence of a vastly middle class citizen-body. (Hatfield, 3) Yet, beyond this country’s collective wealth and resilient middle class, lies the often-overlooked existence of abject racial poverty in its cities. This compelling data, depicting America’s urban socioeconomic conditions, particularly the considerable gap between rich and poor, is rather perplexing; How could a nation with such celebrated wealth have the existence of acute poverty in its urban centers, particularly among African-Americans? Moreover, what are the causes of poverty in the United States, and how can it be reversed in this well-regarded capitalist society