This just came across my desk today! What an honor! Shepherd.com asked 1000 + authors and super readers for their 3 favorite books. Myth of Marginality is listed as #1 on The Economy as if People Mattered.
The best books on the economy as if people mattered…Honoring how essential it is to interact with people face-to-face and learn about their aspirations, joys, fears, daily struggles, and creative ways of coping with the challenges of an economy in free fall. Look beyond the “economic data” to more fully appreciate the humanity of the people involved….All of these books selected are by people who learned about the real urban economy in this way.
#1 The Myth of Marginality: Urban Poverty and Politics in Rio De Janeiro
By Janice Perlman
Why did we love this book?
Drawing on her first-hand experience of living in a shantytown in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Perlman powerfully upends many existing myths about the urban poor as marginal in this classic work. This book, which inspired me to look beyond the economic models at how people actually live, shows how shantytown dwellers are integrated into society, but in a way that exploits and oppresses them economically and politically. They are not socially and culturally marginal, but rather they are stigmatized and excluded from a closed social system that is radically unequal. They are socially well-organized and cohesive; they aspire to educate their children and improve the quality of their homes; they work hard and take pride in a job well done. They are aware of and involved in those aspects of politics that affect their lives.
Such a joy to see that all my work has not been in vain.
Thank you for all of your support over the years!
Sending love,
Janice
