For July’s virtual book club, we’ve decided to continue our series on difficult topics – this week’s is homelessness and poverty. We’ve curated a book list to spark ideas and conversations, local organizations that need your help and support, and a list of questions and resources to help you examine your own privilege.
If you’d like to check out any of the books below, just click on the cover to be taken to Hoopla, one of our e-book platforms. All you need is your library card and PIN, and you can check any of them out at any time, no waiting!
Books to start the conversation:
Local organizations to support:
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless
Family Promise of Greater Cleveland
Cleveland Homeless Legal Assistance Program
Examples of Socioeconomic (Class) Privilege:
- I assume I will be able to meet my basic needs. I take having necessities for
granted. - I buy what I need and want without worry. I can afford luxury items easily.
- I do not fear being hungry or homeless.
- I am free of the burden of debt.
- I have the freedom to waste.
- I can manage to know only people of similar class background by exclusively
frequenting places where such people gather — neighborhoods, schools, clubs,
workplaces, etc. - I evaluate others and recognize those of similar class background because I was
taught to do that kind of evaluation. - I can avoid spending time with people whom I am trained or have learned to
mistrust and who may have learned to mistrust my kind. - I can hide family secrets and family failures behind the doors of my home.
- I am in control of how I spend my time.
The list continues here, in the “Examples of Socioeconomic Status (“Class”) Privilege” document from the University of Michigan.
Find more information on the homeless and homelessness here, from the National Coalition for the Homeless.
Check back next Sunday for a new reading list on another topic that deserves our attention!
Read it or Weep 