This post discusses key themes and quotes from Evicted by Matthew Desmond. While it doesn’t reveal every detail, it may touch on moments you’d prefer to discover on your own.
In August of this year, I read Evicted by Matthew Desmond.
I had this book sitting on my nightstand for almost a year before I finally
decided to see what all the hype was about. My sister-in-law had loaned me her
copy and suggested I read it. She knew my love of Sociology and Politics would
have me enjoying this book. She was absolutely right, as it left a lasting
impression on me.
This book isn’t just filled with statistics and policy critiques;
it’s a deeply human narrative that follows eight families in Milwaukee as they
navigate the brutal realities of poverty and housing insecurity. Desmond writes
with compassion and emotion as he doesn’t just present data, but tells the
stories associated with it.
One quote that especially stayed with me was:
“Whatever our way out of this mess, one thing is certain. This degree of inequality, this withdrawal of opportunity, this cold denial of basic needs, this endorsement of pointless suffering—by no American value is this situation justified. No moral code or ethical principle, no piece of scripture or holy teaching, can be summoned to defend what we have allowed our country to become.”
This passage encapsulates the moral urgency of the book.
Desmond demonstrates that eviction is not just a symptom of poverty, but rather the cause. The families he profiles are caught in the never-ending cycle
where losing a home leads to losing jobs, education, health, and dignity. The current
system punishes the vulnerable and rewards exploitation.
Reading Evicted made me reflect on the fact that housing is not just a commodity; it is a human right. Desmond challenges readers to see beyond stereotypes and statistics. He wants us all to recognize the structural forces that shape people’s lives. This is definitely a topic worth discussing, and a book more people should read.
Published: March 1, 2016Read: August 25, 2025
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