AP+2016+Michael+Patrick+MacDonald

Kaitlyn Ivey

Aim: The purpose of Michael Patrick MacDonald’s writing was to give a deeper understanding and meaning to the suffering experienced by poor families. Instead of allowing the ignorance to go on, MacDonald was willing to shed light on the situation and the reality and how difficult it was to create a living for someone who had nothing to make it with. The purpose of his writing would also be to give hope, possibly, to those who are poor now and are still struggling; he is proof that one can make it out of the poorest situation and even become an author if they so wish. His activism as well creates a significant impact to families struggling, and MacDonald, along with several others, promotes a mixed society that will lead to less violence and more unity in a community that has several different cultures interwoven within it. His purpose is to bring hope to those struggling, as well as heal a community separated not only by class, but also by prejudice and hate.

Audience: People as a race have a hard time understanding any situation they have no experience, and even if they can the true magnitude of any situation cannot be realized without experiencing it. Michael Patrick MacDonald showed all those who read his book the reality of a poor white family in Boston. His audience were those in America who hadn’t experienced this level of poverty with a heavy emphasis in policy makers. MacDonald’s writing was not to simply share his life, but rather share his life with the intent to change the reality for others. As the article stated, “ As an activist, MacDonald has focused his efforts on multicultural coalition building to reduce violence and promote grassroots leadership from our most impacted communities” (Michael Patrick MacDonald). MacDonald began his activism to change the world for America’s impoverished. MacDOnald used his own personal experience to create empathy for the impoverished for the purpose of creating a positive change for his community, and so many others like it.

Historical: During America’s Revolutionary aid many immigrants as possible came out to the new world. There were too many jobs and not enough workers so the Irish, Chinese, and Italians came rushing over. However, the Irish were only meet with backlash and hatred. These feelings ran so deep that life of the free Irish was at the same level as enslaved African Americans. As the source stated, “They were forced to live in cellars and shanties, partly because of poverty but also because they were considered bad for the neighborhood...they were unfamiliar with plumbing and running water” (Irish Immigrants in America during the 19th Century). The early treatment of Irish in America would set up the domino effect that leads to MacDonald living in the poorest section of white Americans. With no jobs there is no money. With no money crime rises, gang violence breaks out. Grangs bring death and drugs. This creates a vicious cycle of young kids getting involved in gang life perpetuating poverty, violence and drugs. The Irish left Ireland to find money in the New World. Instead they were met with racism, hatred, and poverty even worse than found in their homeland. It was in these years that the foundation of poverty, and all its consequences, would be set up for Michael Patrick MacDonald.

Cultural: MacDonald has used his writing to portray the reality of a the poor white in America. Many see poverty from the outside in, but never truly understand the reality of life at that socioeconomic standard. As the article states, “a fter losing four of his eleven siblings and seeing his generation decimated by poverty, crime, addiction, and incarceration” (Michael Patrick MacDonald). Not only did this have a cultural effect on the readers as it opened many of their eyes to a world they never knew before. Almost bigger than this effect though was the effect MacDonald would make on the culture. Not only does he continue to spread his messages, but he also is an activist who made it our of poverty trying to reform life in the environment of poverty. MacDonald buys makes guns, works to educate children, and set up support groups. All of these step prove to America, but more importantly the kids who still belong to these types of communities. By not only showing there is a way out of this awful cycle, and it is through hard work and dedication that people can see the way out. MacDonald showed that there is an option. They read the book, and can connect to the problems and life stories well then maybe a will follow. MacDOnald has taken a childhood full of trauma and struggle, illuminated poverty in America, and then has done everything possible to change the culture he grew up with.

Works Cited “Irish Immigrants in America during the 19th Century.” kinsella. Kinsella, n.d. Web. 5 January 2016. “Michael Patrick MacDonald” brandeis. Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism, n.d. Web. 5 January 2016.