For those who don't understand anything about systemic violence, Gresham will open eyes. All those politically motivated stands by people seeking public office about reducing welfare costs, putting everybody back to work, and so on, stand out like the frauds they are. The truth is that our society is more into punishing people on the bottom rather than showing any understanding or compassion. Here in Corvallis we have some homelessness. We have more poverty than we like to acknowledge.
People go hungry.
Children go without health care. We put mentally ill people in jail and prison, rather than the hospital. We treat addicts like criminals. The book reminds me. I hope it reminds others.