In Evicted, written by Matthew Desmond, statistics play a powerful force. For that
reason, I decided to create an infographic that provides the readers with a way to
experience the effect of the novel without actually reading it. However, there are
two parts to this novel. One, the facts that support the book, which I have decided
to display here, and two, the stories behind them. In order to capture both parts
of the novel, I created several different types of infographics.
reason, I decided to create an infographic that provides the readers with a way to
experience the effect of the novel without actually reading it. However, there are
two parts to this novel. One, the facts that support the book, which I have decided
to display here, and two, the stories behind them. In order to capture both parts
of the novel, I created several different types of infographics.
First, I created an infographic for Arleen and her family. This depicts how much
she has to pay for rent, her welfare check, and many other statistics. In general, I
have tried to capture how eviction has impacted her and her family’s’ lives, but
also the cyclical nature of poverty. For example, if Arleen tried to move out of her
apartment and into a better one, she wouldn’t have enough money for food, and
would be forced to move again.
she has to pay for rent, her welfare check, and many other statistics. In general, I
have tried to capture how eviction has impacted her and her family’s’ lives, but
also the cyclical nature of poverty. For example, if Arleen tried to move out of her
apartment and into a better one, she wouldn’t have enough money for food, and
would be forced to move again.
Next, I created this infographic to show the amount of poor renting families
nationwide that missed payments and received a disconnection notice from their
utility company. While not all of these families had their power shut off, Desmond
states “We Energies disconnected roughly 50,000 households each year for
nonpayment” (15). I only used one poster here to demonstrate the enormity of the
situation, and to begin showcasing the devastation of poor renting families.
I then created an infographic to demonstrate the severe poverty in Milwaukee.
This demonstrates how not only has the population decreased drastically, but its
citizens are facing a major economic crisis.
This demonstrates how not only has the population decreased drastically, but its
citizens are facing a major economic crisis.
Lastly, I created two infographics showing one of the major themes that Desmond
tries to demonstrate throughout the novel, which is black poverty. While all the
families in this book suffer because of poverty regardless of race, black poverty still
remains one of Milwaukee’s biggest problems. For example, Desmond states, “A
1967 New York Times editorial declared Milwaukee ‘America’s most segregated city’”
(34), which goes to show how the city has not progressed for decades.
tries to demonstrate throughout the novel, which is black poverty. While all the
families in this book suffer because of poverty regardless of race, black poverty still
remains one of Milwaukee’s biggest problems. For example, Desmond states, “A
1967 New York Times editorial declared Milwaukee ‘America’s most segregated city’”
(34), which goes to show how the city has not progressed for decades.
These infographics display Milwaukee in general. While nearly every major city has
a problem with poverty and homelessness, Milwaukee’s eviction rates continue to be
one that America shouldn’t ignore, but still chooses to. In order to fully understand the
crisis it is going through, read Evicted by Matthew Desmond.
a problem with poverty and homelessness, Milwaukee’s eviction rates continue to be
one that America shouldn’t ignore, but still chooses to. In order to fully understand the
crisis it is going through, read Evicted by Matthew Desmond.
I'm proud of you, Kate.
ReplyDeleteNot just because of the stellar book choice (Although I'm a little biased on that decision) but of how cool your infographic is, and how well it displayed the book. Matt Desmond uses a lot of not-so-fun facts in his novel, and it drives home his point of just how bad the poverty struggles are in Milwaukee - which, by the way, is a terrible name for a city. You did a really good job of taking the statistics from the novel and making them into visual elements! While Arleen is not the only one who struggles in this novel, her story is very emotional. I liked your choice of portraying her. Nice work bab! Can't wait to read more.
Wow Kate, those were some strong statistics. I really appreciate your use of the infographic. The information you presented would not be emphasized enough if it was just written. With the use of the infographic, I could actually see and comprehend the facts. Arleen's infographic also showed the cycle of poverty that is nearly impossible to escape from, which helped me understand the emotions of the poor in Milwaukee, even though I never read the book. Good job!
ReplyDeleteHi Kate! This blog is really impressive. Each infographic was quick and easy to understand, yet definitely made an impact as far as information goes. As you said, the novel has two main parts: statistics and the stories behind them. I thought the way you chose to create multiple infographics really helped back the facts with stories. For example, you focused one infographic just on black communities and another just on electricity in impoverished families. Without making multiple, this background would have almost certainly been lost or the larger one would have been too cluttered. Not to mention your visuals were super clean and aesthetically pleasing, and they followed a very similar style throughout all your infographics. Really nice job!
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