A Deeper Look: The American Dream in Arkansas

AETN visits two cities facing unique struggles. Most would agree that Blytheville and Pine Bluff have both seen better times - bustling downtown areas, vibrant social scenes and good economies. The downtown streets of both cities are eerily quiet these days. Once beautiful, ornate buildings sit exposed to the elements. At first glance, reflecting on the glory days of these cities, it would appear that the American dream in Arkansas is dead or dying. AETN looks deeper by spending two weeks immersed in each city, uncovering stories that shed light on the state of the American dream in Arkansas. The result is a half-hour examination of the state of the American dream in the Arkansas Delta.

[@perrinpartee557]

But I love my state and I hope our towns can become strong towns!! Awesome documentary

[@pallidamors2001]

Blytheville could have been (and could be) SO much more, if it wasn't for the people and politicians that have kept it down all these years. It's a HEAVY good-ol-boy system that has done everything it can to NOT grow. Blytheville is centrally located in the U.S., has major Interstate running between Memphis and St. Louis, has Mississippi River barge traffic for transportation, has railway transportation, and has the old airbase, with a runway big enough to land a C-130.......the ONLY thing that it doesn't have, is people with power who want to make it succeed. They have purposely kept major industry like FedEx from coming in, while praising any minimum wage fast food job that decides to locate here, all the while bitching about there not being any jobs. Years ago, back in the early 90's, University of Arkansas wanted to take over the local community college and make is a U of A campus for this region. All the good-ol-boys fought over who would run it, and what they could get out of it personally, for a year, until U of A said screw it, we'll find someplace else......and that's the way that it's been with anything worthwhile since the airbases closed. They want jobs, but they want to keep it "small town". When, it's gone from a population of 25k in the early 90's, to a population of barely 15k today, and is hemorrhaging people yearly. It's getting to the point that the only people left here are the ones that either can't afford to move away, or are too stupid to leave!

[@zacharysmith4787]

Blytheville could've been what Jonesboro is today, it's quite sad.

[@jerihayes4018]

😲 😱 😲 I graduated class of 71. Blytheville, Ar. This is so very, very sad to me. I have missed people. Now I wonder if they are around. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@jerihayes4018]

Jeri Sue Cantlin here. My heart literally is broken 💔 😢 😞 😔 😪 😭 💔

[@olddogcitypound5859]

Well I love my maw and I love my paw but I'm sure glad I left good ole Arkansas.Big shout out to my family and friends still there.✌

[@UseByDate-Expired]

When the Mississippi County Community College was built , known as M triple C, it was to be the showcase state of the art, totally solar powered model for the future... But, they chose to put it in Blytheville. It never went online..

[@hksztrap]

Left Arkansas for good for somewhere else thats much much better in most ways, miss some of my family though :(

[@zacharysmith4787]

I'm considering a move out of state after living in Arkansas all of my life. I love this place but I wish the state and local governments would get with the program. Arkansas has alot to offer and alot of potential for great things...it just isn't being tapped, for whatever reason.

[@lawrenceafrica6692]

nice content, I've learned a lot

[@perrinpartee557]

Industry is leaving the untied states. Automation and outsourcing labor. Common story across small town USA. Very sad

[@stormywood]

I found my American Dream in Arkansas.

[@rickflair4029]

The same thing has happened to Parkin, Arkansas

[@bugman2509]

This is the America Wal-Mart made.

[@robbiem4624]

It sounds like the area needs a new industry such as alternative energy.

[@Mulerider4Life]

So sad to see places like this. It's a true reality for many similar towns. I think of Camden, Marion, South West Little Rock, Morrilton, as well as pretty much all of the delta area. What we need is less gambling, less booze, and more Christ. It all starts in the Church, then the home, then that pours into the community. We need more people to step up as well and self police their communities. We need more Neighborhood watch groups. It's time to take a sense of pride back in our Arkansas towns.

[@perrinpartee557]

Plus e-commerce

[@livingtruth4455]

Blacks indigenous Arkansas domestic problems is not the fault of neglected black communities the anti black in the form equal dreams of justice ark stems from leadership in and outside the communities fail politicians out source of jobs when whites becomes the minority .when wealthy want cheaper labor they move or bring in Vietnamese or islanders or just withhold prosperity,BUT young blacks indigenous have to get a better education and home order and structure in their lives must becomes more farmers,construction builders doctors,judges,aviation.miliitary contractors quiet business owners more patriots in the mainstream of America function,less pot no drugs.little social alcohol.solve problems don't create them love your family and families and state struggle against the odds in Arkansas and making its the best natural state on the belt i knew once Arkansas people were the best moral peoples you could find no matter which states you were in good Americans and hard working lets get back what our ancestors instituted in us we are the light of America soul they immigrants and gave us bad role models God lest not forsake again pinebluff and Arkansas his agreat history buildback better for our ungrateful white brothers prove our selfworth all over natural oquawpa(Arkansas)