A Fresh Look at Americans’ Diverse Experiences

My two latest pieces for the American Communities Project analyze how Americans come together and break apart in their educational and economic circumstances. I’m sharing the first paragraph of each piece here. The full stories can be found at the links below.

• America’s Fragmented Economic Realities

  “People often assess how American households are doing collectively by looking at two key socioeconomic metrics: median household income and child poverty. However, the picture is more fragmented as other figures come into view. Economic disparities show Americans living in very different daily realities, which can impact perceptions of their neighbors, their futures, and the nation at large. Visionary policies can help knit communities socially and economically.”

• Educational Attainment the American Way

  “Educational attainment has emerged as one of America’s deepest demographic fissures, associated with the cultural, political, economic, and geographic divides Americans collide with daily. At the same time, the field of education is known for crossing chasms. As an example, Harvard University selected one of America’s most venerated actors, Tom Hanks, who’s not a college graduate, to deliver its 2023 commencement address this season. True to the occasion, Hanks stressed certain points of unity — Superman’s fight for ‘truth, justice, and the American way’ was a common refrain.”