History and Cause of The Issue

Poverty has been an overwhelming issue for the residents of Kentucky over the past couple years, as the state is seeing a rising number of impoverished communities and individuals continuing to fall below the poverty line. Poverty has been a growing issue for the state of Kentucky as a whole, but this issue has violently struck parts of Eastern Kentucky, causing much damage to its citizens. In an article written by Ben Cosgrove, he goes to tell and show the sad world that the residents of Eastern Kentucky have come to know as their life. In "The War on Poverty Pages of Life: Appalachia Portraits", Ben explains that Eastern Kentucky’s poverty rise began when the coal industry collapsed, and as many residents here depended on the coal mines for jobs, they had become unemployed and out of work. Ben photographed pictures of residents of Eastern Kentucky; this collection of photos was called "The Valley of Poverty." Within Ben’s photographs, you can see the amount of hurt on the individuals faces. As Ben reveals the truth of poverty in Kentucky, he shows many sick children, children in extreme filth, small shacks, run-down towns, and coal miners struggling. This article shows the depth and history of poverty that run through the bloodlines of Kentucky.

Source:

Cosgrove, Ben. “The War on Poverty in the Pages of Life: Appalachia Portraits, 1964.” LIFE, 16 Jan. 2020, www.life.com/history/war-on-poverty-appalachia-portraits-1964/.