Scratch Beginnings

"Scratch Beginnings" is a book by Adam Shepard, a graduate of Merrimack College, about his attempt to live the American Dream. It was conceived as a response to the books "Nickel and Dimed" and "Bait and Switch" by Barbara Ehrenreich.

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Shepard's premise was simple:

"I am going to start – almost literally from scratch - with one 8' x 10' tarp, a sleeping bag, an empty gym bag, $25, and the clothes on my back. Via train, I will be dropped at a random place somewhere in the southeastern United States that is not in my home state of North Carolina. I have 365 days to become free of the realities of homelessness and become a “regular” member of society. After one year, for my project to be considered successful, I have to possess an operable automobile, live in a furnished apartment (alone or with a roommate), have $2500 in cash, and, most importantly, I have to be in a position in which I can continue to improve my circumstances by either going to school or starting my own business."

Goals

While Shepard states that his story is not politically motivated, he did intend it to be a rebuttal to Barbara Ehrenreich's books "Nickel and Dimed" and "Bait and Switch" on a socio-economic level. He writes, "Ehrenreich attempted to establish that working stiffs are doomed to live in the same disgraceful conditions forever ... my story is a search to evaluate if hard work and discipline provide any payoff whatsoever or if they are, as Ehrenreich suggests, futile pursuits." [http://www.scratchbeginnings.com/average-joes-search-for-american-dream Article on Official Website] ]

Shepard's goal was to overcome his adverse circumstances and obtain $2,500, an operable car, and a furnished apartment, all within one year. However, he resolved not to use his college education, credit history, or any of his previous contacts to help himself. Additionally, he would not beg for money or use services that were not available to others.

ocial issues

Along the way, Shepard explores controversial premises, such as:
*Why the book "Nickel and Dimed" was flawed from the beginning.
*Why raising the minimum wage does not stimulate the economy of the lower class.
*Why immigration and job outsourcing are not the causes of decreasing opportunity in the American workforce.
*How certain individuals are profiting from the consumer's fear of the death of the American Dream.

Final outcome

A February 11, 2008 article about the book in "The Christian Science Monitor" states, "During his first 70 days in Charleston, Shepard lived in a shelter and received food stamps. He also made new friends, finding work as a day laborer, which led to a steady job with a moving company. Ten months into the experiment, he decided to quit after learning of an illness in his family. But by then he had moved into an apartment, bought a pickup truck, and had saved close to $5,000." [ [http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0211/p13s02-wmgn.html "Homeless: Can You Build A Life From $25?"] "The Christian Science Monitor", February 11, 2008.]

ee also

*Nickel and Dimed
*George Orwell, "Down and Out in Paris and London"
*Polly Toynbee, "Hard Work: Life in Low-Pay Britain"
*Jack London, "The People of the Abyss"
*Jacob Riis, "How the Other Half Lives"
* ISBN 978-0979692604

References

External links

* [http://www.scratchbeginnings.com/ Official website of the book]