"I grew up as a poor kid," Vance said on Fox News in August 2024. "I think that's a story that a lot of normal Americans can empathize with." Vance frames his narrative as relatable to the American working class, leveraging his Appalachian roots for political gain.
In the book, Vance searches for an explanation for his traumatic relationship with his mother, before hitting on the perfect explanation: His mother's addiction was a consequence of the fact that her parents were 'hillbillies.' This narrative simplifies a complex family history and socio-economic context.
In my forthcoming book, 'Poor Things: How Those with Money Depict Those without It,' I detail how Vance's work is actually part of a genre I call 'poornography.' This genre, created mainly by those who are middle or upper-class, perpetuates harmful stereotypes about poverty.
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