Strangers in Their Own Land
Strangers in Their Own Land
Response to Question 2
“Strangers in Their Own Land” is a great read that explores the central paradox of the political activities that understands that mining and various activities continue to destroy the environment and people’s lives but remain ardent defenders of free-market capitalism. For instance, chapters 8 and 9 of the book provide more essential topics in religion and current American politics that explain different people’s political convictions about modern America.
In chapter 8, people learn more about the pulpit and the press. Hochschild meets Madonna Massey at Starbucks, and she first identifies her central role in the Lake Charles community from how people greet her. In the events, people understand the trusting, familial bonds and tight-knit bonds that seem alive and well in that society (Hochschild, 2018). In addition, the church appears to touch on every aspect of lake Charles’s people. The people also take pride in churching, and their child also demonstrates this. Everyone can show a sense of self and proper moral values through the church. However, despite the church being a sen of hope and sound moral values, it creates a great paradox since the people support programs and activities that led to their diminish. In the chapter, the author traveled to Louisiana, a highly hit region by environmental pollution (Hochschild, 2018). The people experience pollution-related illnesses yet still support capitalism.
Chapter 9 also offers a great paradox since it explains the theory of self that underlines conservative votes against government interventions. The author explains the setup of a line for the American dream, which reflects the conservative belief that hard work and patience can create a road to progress in the thin economic mobility (Hochschild, 2018). This crucial materialistic and individualistic world ideology suggests that people should have access to the American dream despite their identity as long as they follow the rules. However, the view is not very realistic since, according to Hochschild, capitalism does not offer many people a chance to advance. Instead, some people feel that others cut in front of the line when using government programs like welfare (Hochschild, 2018). The conservatives feel that those in poverty are taking a check and not giving back to the society since the country is supporting individuals that are not working,
References
Hochschild, A. R. (2018). Strangers in their own land: Anger and Mourning on the American right. The New Press.