Michael Harrington and today's other America

Resource Information

The work Michael Harrington and today's other America represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Waubonsee Community College. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Moving Image, Visual Materials.

Label

Michael Harrington and today's other America

Statement of responsibility

by Bill Donovan

Creator

• Donovan, Bill

Subject

• Harrington, Michael, 1928-1989
• Poverty -- United States
• Socialism -- United States -- History
• Documentary films
• United States -- Social conditions -- 1945-
• United States -- Economic conditions -- 1945-

Genre

• Documentary films

Language

eng

Summary

Michael Harrington's book The Other America, a groundbreaking study of poverty in America, was published in 1962. Read by President John F. Kennedy, it was probably the driving force behind the "war on poverty." The Boston Globe editorialized that Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps and expanded social security benefits were traceable to Harrington's ideas. Harrington became the pre-eminent spokesman for socialism in America.This film captures the essence of Harrington's ideas through the use of archival footage and interviews with people who knew and worked with him, as well as those who were in total disagreement. Over thirty interviews are filmed with people as diverse as John Kenneth Galbraith, Gloria Steinem, William F. Buckley and Charles Murray. We also hear from ordinary people who struggle to make a living, or are dependent on social services. These are the victims of what Harringon called "the new American poverty," which unfortunately still exists despite a booming economy. The documentary includes a brief history of socialism in America, and raises questions concerning the merits and relevance of unions today, and the problems of migrant workers, farmers, inner cities and our health care system

Additional physical form

Previously released as DVD.

Cataloging source

VaAlASP

Characteristic

videorecording

Intended audience

For High School; Adult audiences

Language note

This edition in English

Runtime

86

Target audience

general