America's forgotten working class | J.D. Vance

TED
TED
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Published 2016-10-17
J.D. Vance grew up in a small, poor city in the Rust Belt of southern Ohio, where he had a front-row seat to many of the social ills plaguing America: a heroin epidemic, failing schools, families torn apart by divorce and sometimes violence. In a searching talk that will echo throughout the country's working-class towns, the author details what the loss of the American Dream feels like and raises an important question that everyone from community leaders to policy makers needs to ask: How can we help kids from America's forgotten places break free from hopelessness and live better lives?

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All Comments (21)
  • @JhonnyL3002
    Who’s here after he got announced as Trumps running mate?
  • @dr.charlescunico7376
    Who else is watching this to figure out who he is based off of his past....not what the mainstream is going to say about him!?!?
  • @shengwu6044
    He outlined the working class life really well and the need for social capital and information to guide and help kids have a possible better future
  • @JR-zw2vb
    Beautiful speech! I've known him by the Hillbilly book but wow what a great communicator, and politician, and leader. He will be a great VP if elected. US is blessed!
  • @476233
    He has such a clear, easy to listen to voice.
  • @SolidForge362
    I have hope for America knowing that people like this guy may potentially be the president of our country. This guy is very intelligent and respectful.
  • @shikyokira3065
    Notice how the message isn't about race or prejudice but environment and community. I'm glad that he is given a position that could help shape the community to a better place for everyone, poor or rich
  • @ZackDuck-rm4dt
    Do us proud Vance. Alot of us dont really know you but we're looking forward to seeing what you bring to the table. You have an oppertunity to be the best VP weve had in decades.
  • @captainmorgan2307
    This guy is the gold standard of upward mobility. Drugs and family problems, working class, but powered through life and may soon become Vice President. Damn fine job!
  • @lustchievous
    Being raised in the ghetto by a mentally ill single mom. I remember being 14 and pg from rape. I walked past a fast food place thinking, "kids work there" and wondering how a person gets a job. I had no idea. I had absolutely no examples in my life of how to have a life, get an education, find a job, solve problems. As I got older, there were some people who I learned things from. One was a teacher who taught a vocabulary class that was really about systems and how they work. She felt that if you understood systems that vocabulary would then come naturally. That class changed my brain and my life. It helped me traverse the systems that often overwhelmed my life and enabled me to learn what I needed to learn. It made the world a place I could see clearly and interact effectively with. It's these little things that make the real difference in giving people a chance.
  • @user-we6wi3rn1l
    What I just took from this is that we all really need to open our eyes to what's around us and do whatever we can to help each other.
  • @liban4217
    I hadn't heard of J.D. Vance before today, which is why I'm watching this talk. I find it incredibly inspiring to learn about his challenging childhood and how he overcame the odds, avoiding the unfortunate fate that befalls many children in similar situations. Although I grew up with loving parents and a stable home, I understand the difficulties of coming from a humble background. I had to flee my country as a child due to civil war and spent much of my childhood in refugee camps before arriving in the US in my late teens. Starting over and quickly adapting to my new country was challenging, but I managed to beat the odds. Because of my experiences, I understand where J.D. Vance came from. I hope he never forgets his roots and remains committed to advocating for hardworking, less fortunate Americans.
  • @ziggymoon
    7/15/24, J. D. Vance now VP Nominee! I really knew nothing of the young man until searching articles & watching videos. I'm older by decades, but I can relate to his younger life, raised poor, family disfunction, military, a feeling of being out of place and different in college/university. I'm so happy to see someone like this man earn the chance to be considered for such a high position of leadership in this nation. May God Bless him and the United States of America!
  • @owo1289
    My father had abused my mother. One day, my father drank and broke my mother's arm. But my mother didn't abandon me and I went to college with my mother's support and love, and I was able to finish it safely. I feel a lot of gratitude to my mother. from south korea.
  • @edwardkelly3280
    This JD Vance guy is a good speaker that can relate his childhood to poorer Americans.
  • @mattbrown9841
    Wow, this guy is definitely not from the "elite" ..... frankly, it's amazing he's the VP pick.