After the recent presidential election, photographer Brandon Lane from Humans of Detroit decided to shift his focus from bustling city streets to the more subdued vibe of Macomb County, Michigan. This northern suburb of Detroit, known for its blue-collar roots and reliance on the auto industry, made headlines when it voted heavily in favor of Donald Trump — the first time a Republican candidate has won Michigan in nearly three decades.
In an effort to understand the changing sentiments among voters, Lane has been sharing the stories of local residents, providing a much-needed platform for their voices. One particular narrative has captured widespread attention due to its powerful message. How many of us were raised with the mantra of “pull yourself up by your bootstraps”? How many times have we heard the advice, “Don’t have kids you can’t afford!”? It’s a hopeful outlook, but in today’s economic climate, it’s increasingly unrealistic.
“I grew up in a comfortable neighborhood, and I used to think that I could easily tell someone struggling how to fix their life: ‘Just get a job, save some money, and work hard!’ But I’ve changed my mind,” the post begins. “I was naive about the realities facing those in poverty.”
Lane invites us to meet the people in these communities, emphasizing that they are the ones who sell tools at local stores, patch roofs, care for our elderly, mow our lawns, and serve our meals. Yet, these individuals often earn wages that are not enough to sustain a decent living.
Have you paused to consider what people are living on today? Census data reveals that the median household income in 2012 was stagnant — no higher than it was 25 years prior. Meanwhile, the cost of essential goods has skyrocketed.
“There’s no money left to save. If they fall ill or their car breaks down, they’re in trouble. And if they make a mistake, there’s no cash to cover fines or fees. When you’re at the bottom, the system just keeps piling on the dirt. You can’t pull yourself up when there’s nothing to hold onto. We’re not paying our neighbors enough to get by. We expect them to serve us, but we aren’t supporting them in return.”
It’s easy to understand why people are craving change. A billionaire promising to shake up the establishment is certainly a shift. But will those promises actually benefit the working poor in struggling areas? We need to recognize our shared humanity; we are all deserving of assistance. More people are facing hardships than ever before, and we cannot allow ourselves to believe we are worlds apart.
At the end of the day, we all want to provide for our families and do our best. If you ever find yourself thinking, “They just need to try harder,” pause for a moment and appreciate that you may not know what it’s like to labor tirelessly for every single thing you have — and still come up short.
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Summary:
Brandon Lane of Humans of Detroit sheds light on the misconceptions surrounding poverty in America, using stories from residents of Macomb County, Michigan. Through their experiences, he emphasizes the struggles of the working poor and challenges the notion that hard work alone can lift one out of poverty.