Alabama Has The Worst Poverty In The Developed World

[@rernardgrant9770]

One loss of a job, failure of someone's health; an serious injury where you in up having to leave the workforce can cause you to slide right into poverty.

[@QuizHeavenTriviawithJonas]

Very true fact that most people underestimate, lots of folks tend to think that success is almost permanent, or expect just about everyone to advance. Unfortunately, that is not always the case a result of the things some people have to go through that you mention. Most Americans are one check away from being homeless or equivalent.

[@kpokpojiji]

This is the propaganda that Americans have been fed for a few generations to keep them as a fairly well-fed but still slave class. In yhr meantime, anything resembling the common and very positive social programs in many countries in Europe which protect the citizens there is denounced as evil socialism. And Americans drill gobble it up.

[@Gator777]

One illness can take away everything a person has worked his entire life for. The medical idustry should be ashamed of itself. I say the hell with the medical industry.

[@genedunlap8384]

Child support alone will run into the poorhouse

[@genedunlap8384]

​@@Gator777so can a ex-wife

[@dukeofearl8078]

14 months ago I moved from Tampa, FL to a small, impoverished agricultural down in Tennessee that is much like the Alabama towns you show here, and I must say that I've really come to like the peace and quiet, and especially the wonderful people. During the day I sit on my front porch and enjoy watching the birds and squirrels, and at night I enjoy the croak of the bullfrogs outside. When I was a city-slicker I witnessed my once-beautiful city become increasingly dystopian and dangerous. Here there is a much greater sense of safety. And, you might just be surprised at who you get for neighbors. In a former life I was a NASA engineer. After moving here I was surprised to discover that my neighbor across the street was also a NASA engineer.

[@waynethompson1115]

I moved from the San Francisco Bay area to small town idaho. It's been great watching this area grow. Crime is low, ppl are friendly. Nice laid back area... Like you said, my home area has just turned into an awful place. Glad I raised my kids here.

[@loriwyoming835]

And that's why I watch these videos. Would like to retire in an area that's quiet and warmer than Wyoming. Poor doesn't bother me so much as crime rate. An old farm house with some land to raise a garden and have a little farm at an affordable price is what I'd want.

[@rzella8022]

Enjoyed your story. God bless.

[@roxrollson]

I'd imagine it's not quite so idyllic for the poor folks who've spent their lives barely surviving. To them, escaping to somewhere with more opportunity is the dream. Perspective is everything, I guess 🤷🏽

[@terrygregg1228]

@@loriwyoming835 Once the population grows so does crime. All the poor that get displaced can not move so crime goes way up

[@bobbyjohnson7460]

Nick drove through Reform, Alabama, in the black belt, and he primarily showed the absolute worst street in town. Reform is a town of 1400 people with great housing and great people both black and white. It is actually a great place to live. I bought an 1800 sq ft house on a half acre of land for under 75k. Property taxes are $320 annually. I'm less than 30 miles from Tuscaloosa, 90 miles from Birmingham airport, and 27 miles from Columbus Mississippi. The weather is great! I have a garden, two dogs and a fenced in huge back yard. Hummingbirds feast on the flowers on my porch and the sky is full of stars at night. There are no sirens, gun shots or loud music from neighbors. I sleep 8 hours every night and walk one to two miles per day. Life here is a hell of a lot better than any major city if one is capable of enjoying life at a slow pace. I lived in Chicago for 40 years and I still miss it but as far as quality living rural Alabama is totally superior!

[@FELIPE8226M]

You’re living the life I’m jealous haha

[@INFbusy]

Fkn A right 👍, excuse my language

[@TFlowers]

I would've loved to see him I interview the local who are doing quite well.

[@Blacksheep-Ba-Ba]

Omg!! I'm getting ready to be semi retired and you described exactly what I'm looking for. I am not looking for anything fancy. Or to move into a wealthy area. I just want low maintenance, quiet golden years.😊 soo charming

[@Sdr_2024]

​@janda5816 Sure I'm poor. But I'm fat n' happy and that's all that matters.

[@kjdinoc]

At least they have a trailer. Here in my home State of CA they are in tents on sidewalks buried in trash and feces. I want the UN to come visit CA. Why does that never happen?

[@vicvega3614]

Thats what im thinking, Alabama is nice compared to some of the cities, i saw a 1 room "apartment" for rent earlier, its not an apartment its 1 room with a sink and NO BATHROOM in New York city for 2,400 bucks a month rent?!?!?! Think about that, no bathroom for 2400 bucks a month. How about we realize that as humans money has become OUT OF CONTROL. We have to go back to the simpler times where money wasnt as important and put a CAP on certain things. Idk how but its going to get worse

[@benallmark9671]

Lol

[@lynnsmith4]

And they can hunt and fish and have gardens.

[@chrisburruel3019]

​@@vicvega3614 how is that legal for an apartment to not have a bathroom in it ?

[@vicvega3614]

@@chrisburruel3019 i have no idea, but someone in the comments said they probably have a community bathroom down the hall from the room.

[@elizabethwells6748]

Despite the abandoned homes and buildings, I’m struck by how beautiful the landscape is!

[@Layla5067]

I live in Australia, it's so green and there are so many lovely trees compared to here. The poverty here is dry and dusty.

[@elizabethwells6748]

@@kiethj7 I live in Newfoundland Canada. The climate is cold and the landscape is rugged, the leaves on the trees haven’t bloomed yet.

[@diamonds4383]

And because of how clean everything looks

[@brucesmith3740]

I lived in Alabama during the summers in the 1960s and 70s.. Great food. I loved the beauty and even the humid summers. Cotton mills closed down in the 1980s.

[@undercoverbird8592]

I’m leaving Southern California and moving to Alabama 😊 I was born in New York but I am not moving back there! ❤

[@nvmcrider8475]

I bet these people are happier than most city people.

[@datapark9118]

I doubt it lol no hospitals, crappy schools and no good paying jobs

[@chriskelly509]

When the US gives money away to other countries I think about places like this... and how the US ignores the problem while giving billions overseas...

[@TheMilpitasguy]

Like Nick said, the smart ones have left. It would take a high-tech revival to gentrify places like this, middle-class college-educated voters would have to move in and keep supporting it with property taxes every year.

[@spiritranger9202]

They're laundering the money. They don't actually give it to the people in these countries. Maybe their political cronies and then back to them to line their pockets. Laundering plain and simple.

[@JC-bl9bo]

Incorrect, because if we wanted to spend money in these areas the republicans would scream handouts and socialism. Money overseas has absolutely nothing to do with this. That's the invisible boogie man.

[@gavasiarobinssson5108]

college is useless for many

[@MegaBait1616]

Just think about how much monies are giving to other countries n the non-Americans now flooding into the US since the Current Administration.. TRILLIONS of Our Tax Monies.. smh..... be well.

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

The abandoned buildings in these once-vibrant small towns are heartbreaking.

[@LisaMaeSV650S]

What I've noticed living up in northern Idaho which is about the same population as these places. He's driving through but the winters are brutal The average person who has not worked and prioritized (this is coming from a single female that made "poverty wages" my whole life) These people rather than build up their community or try to help their neighbors spend more time trying to sabotage them.

[@pkendlers]

Our whole country is going this way, thanks to the Democrats and the rhinos

[@Thecaptain1898]

​@screamingflyproductionsllc1936 more so do to capitalism realistically. Big corporations taking over small businesses. Capitalism is a blessing until the corporations take over! It really is sad seeing so many hundreds of small towns empty. Abandoned buildings and empty streets.

[@jeltoninc.8542]

Yes globalization, crony capitalism, corrupt politicians in the corporate pocket… the whole country will look this way unless we as a People decide to change it. We can’t wait around for someone else to do it because there is no one on our side.

[@002lisamarie]

That's what Blacks do.

[@maxtrein532]

I think they're actually happy because they DON'T have internet. They speak to each other. They visit family and friends and have a lot more quality time together.

[@barbaralauritzen7101]

For lack of a strong word to explain how I feel about your videos, I want to say thank you for doing them. You have really opened my eyes to what is going on in this country.

[@alexb.reinhold4505]

Mhmmmm....pay close attention to the commentary during the narration..THATS THE NARRATIVE

[@brittany3187]

Its cool to see the locations, but Nick has really stepped up his act to cater to a certain demographic with how he talks about certain political, ecomomical, etc issues. Its VERY apparent...smh

[@Rossi_83]

Thanks for bringing me with you on your journey through the USA. Love your videos, keep up the great work, Nick. Respect from far away Bulgaria.

[@lsakds1]

I stopped to ask a young woman if she was okay, if she needed anything cause she was walking down the middle of a not very busy road. She tells me she was just released from hospital & needed a ride to Greyhound. We got stuck in traffic on 59 & began chatting. She was in the hospital for mental health issues & released with a bunch of medication & nowhere to go. We stopped & got her something to eat & I paid for her bus ticket to San Francisco. She was homeless & that’s where she wanted to go cause she was told they would help her there. I am not sure if it’s any better than Alabama but I think about her everyday.

[@user-ir8sd4sy5l]

sad!!

[@Thomassina1]

San Francisco ??

[@lsakds1]

@@Thomassina1 no, LA

[@lulubellpop13]

As someone who was born n raised in bama yea its probably better because theres help there for people. Alabama isnt the greatest at supporting its communities and citizens.

[@yodesuyo]

as a north african, that neighborhood looks great: houses surrounded with spacious green areas and roads in good shape. A railway passing through

[@jimdep6542]

I think the railway is only good for finding an empty box car to hitch a ride in. It would be really nice if they had passenger service.

[@Anthonycapone8146]

I know, I don't think it looks bad at all, I've seen way worse

[@johncronin5311]

where were you born , in africa or america?

[@joule-trix]

I've been studying the black belt region and my family is from there this is honestly some of the much nicer looking areas....

[@CarmellaMulroy]

The scenery is beautiful

[@beverlybalius9303]

You don’t have to have a house that cost $400,000 and up. Most of those homes are paid for.

[@caroleappling2007]

Oh lovey, my shanty shack is paid for, how wonderful.

[@michiel5160]

​@@caroleappling2007People taking out loans makes everything too expensive. A house doesn't have to cost a lot. But in most places you pay way over building cost... Banks and government win.

[@meldbates]

Many people in Alabama are happy in their "older" home so they can afford the newer vehicles.

[@emmsue1053]

Never judge by appearances only .. is my motto.. Someone living simply like this has maybe no debt and an amount of savings behind them. A big "fancy" house "appears to be money but in reality can sometimes be built on massive debts..

[@mgm8822]

@@caroleappling2007I love all of the strained justifications people come up with.

[@cwie2968]

Id rather live in an old run down trailer and be happy than be miserable in a large beautiful home. People need to respect how these folks live and accept their choices

[@db5960]

Truth!!! I’ve been savoring my simple life more and more lately. Grateful.

[@natemastropoll6777]

This is what happens when an empire is obsessed with maintaining worldwide power, the country itself decays into poverty and lawlessness, and the political class only cares about naked power.

[@kpokpojiji]

Exact and well said.

[@ceeceeceecee5515]

💯

[@harmonizedigital.]

State level politics has a lot to do with it. These attitudes started a long time ago and have been passed down like a game of telephone.

[@bcurobinson]

The poverty in the south is actually rooted in white supremacy.

[@louislamonte334]

There's truth in what you say.

[@payday1862]

Nick I’m in love with the red clay roads, reminds me of Africa and a place I came from when I was a child, and the grass is green and to me that’s a upper.

[@NickJohnson]

They’re good for truck driving

[@jimwhite6225]

Red clay is everywhere.

[@monkeytimesmagazine3725]

The grass is literally greener on the other side

[@Throwingness]

I know these videos are a simple production but they are so rich and deep they put a whole spin on my day and the way I see the neighborhoods I know.

[@glennhoddle10]

It's criminal how the US govt can allow this kind of poverty despite having a humongous GDP. The disparity between the poor and rich is getting downright ridiculous. Most politicians only care about lining their pockets.....SIGH.

[@orytek1]

Criminal? Yes the southern politicians are, but you can't help these people as they are unmotivated and dense as all heck.

[@vicvega3614]

Hey foreign countries on the other side of the planet deserve our help more then our own citizens!!

[@CynicallyObnoxious]

@DANCAST I mean to be honest I dont want Russia taking countries over sorry not sorry

[@RoyGBiv-lc8tv]

Most Americans don’t support using our tax dollars for it. It’s true. So we shouldn’t be surprised if tons of people are in poverty. Most people don’t want to give them the tools to get out of poverty.

[@kamakaziozzie3038]

muh…but Zelensky needs another $3 Billion! Let’s make sure Ukraine has enough weapons- and a few spare to show up on the black market. It’s the military industrial complex way😄

[@TedSeeber]

In Oregon those would be $125,000 homes. Even the one which was only chimneys left is $95,000 for the land alone.

[@hoopty.]

It's not really that bad. It's all about how you look at things.

[@RoyGBiv-lc8tv]

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. At least the homes in Oregon would be appreciated.

[@kjdinoc]

Oregon is another West Coast dumpster fire buried in trash, tarps and tents. Hey UN! Come check out these blue west coast states if you want to see some eye popping miserable crimes against humanity.

[@bks6000]

Bring a tech company here?

[@TedSeeber]

@@bks6000 might work. But you would have to first convince the Silicon Valley that black Baptist heterosexuals are good people.

[@DonnellPrince]

I’m born and raised in Queens, NYC. Traveled to Tuskegee a few months ago. So sad, but definitely give off that old time feeling.

[@blueaeagle11]

Well yeah you went to Tuskegee. Drive 20 minutes east to Auburn and it’s a world of difference. Everyone acts like they don’t have rural run down places in their states. If you’re looking for that you can find it…

[@Raja-bz4yw]

The UN needs to visit the whole US. They'd be shocked by everything. There's more areas like this in cities, small towns and suburbs in the US.

[@DonaldWills-z6n]

The U.N. needs to be dissolved, unfunded by the US and have its headquarters off our soil.

[@oldcynic6964]

The UN doesn't actually care. To them, rural poverty in the US is just another stick with which to attack the US. Note that whenever there is a "crisis", like "the ozone layer" (remember that?) or "global warming", the first thing they do is to blame the West, and the second thing is to demand that the West solves the problem and pays compensation to every country that claims to have been affected by it. Regardless of whether you believe or do not believe in global warming, the West (the US and Europe in particular) have spent billions destroying their power generation capabilities, while China has nearly 200 coal-fired power stations under construction (to provide cheap, reliable power to run the industries that are manufacturing everything the West used to build.) We don't hear a peep about China's emissions from the UN - it's all about howe the West has to solve the "crisis".

[@Saltfly]

The UN wouldn’t make it 100 yds into this country without being ran out.

[@kharimarquette]

​@@Saltfly By you and what army? 😆

[@stylinstu]

I loved our typical American solution to the UN report. Treat it as a just a bad PR incident. Deny funding and withdraw support for that agency in the UN. Criticise the report and the agency and ignore the people, the community, and the problem.

[@tacmason]

This was especially good Nick, I appreciated the professor's conversation with you - And I live in Florence , Alabama !

[@AdamCancelseda-c3j]

Thanks You for your show Nick because this is Reality that is happening at this moment

[@michellerut6209]

Every thing he is saying is BS

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

I was born in 1942 in Gadsden. I spent my early years there. Several generations of my family lived there for two hundred years. It is a beautiful state. This breaks my heart.

[@lyndaslocs]

At first, I thought you said you were born in 1492. Better get my glasses updated. 🤣🤣🤣

[@researchbear4074]

It's by design.... gentrification of rural areas is by design, then rich people or corprations like black rock etc will buy the lands and house foor almost nothing$$ and then they decide to revamp the area... it's a way to push the poor our if very fertile lands....

[@apextraxx2903]

My mother is from wabasso Florida and when we were younger we had to go there and live because we fell on hard times. It is a very poor place especially back in the '90s when we went to stay with my aunt. It was fun! Especially as a kid. My uncle had hunting dogs, my aunt had chickens, played manhunt, my uncle took my older brother hunting, we went fishing a lot and when we weren't fishing we were acting like we were fishing and random ponds. It's one of the few places in Florida where the houses look like these houses and not stucco. Many of them are falling apart including my aunt's house. Fast forward Now I live in a townhouse in a pretty nice part of town of Orlando. I like it but there's no sense of community and as I get older I'd rather live in the country and do outdoors stuff on my own property. That's what I'm working towards now.

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

wabasso is not too bad, i live in vero beach, i love it, Sebastian is quite nice over all as well. we are not far from wabasso, while its old small ''in between'' town, and its got some old run down homes, its not near as bad as these places Nick is exploring.

[@apextraxx2903]

@@Shannonbarnesdr1 yeah I haven't been down there in a while when I was younger it was very very poor. My aunt Lily's house actually caved in. It was one of those manufacturer houses on blocks. A lot of the house did that because people didn't have the money to repair them. The thing about it is right across the causeway there are multi-millionaires on John's and beach side nearby. It's so close to the river I'm surprised it's not gentrified over there.

[@djack915]

Good luck and peace!

[@jimwhite6225]

Live here less is more.

[@hilarybramley7529]

This is particularly good and thoughtful, thankyou

[@johnbartholf777]

If the population declines, the economy fails, and then the infrastructure fails. If the population falls fast enough, properties are abandoned because it makes more economic sense to just walk away and let it fall apart and molder back into the earth. I absolutely applaud you for talking to the real people you meet on the street and not just "leaders" and self-appointed spokespeople. By the standards of a lack of income, lack of opportunity, poor education, and out of control crime, the inner cities of D.C., Chicago, Oakland, L.A., Philadelphia, New Orleans, and St. Louis are _far_ worse than any rural areas in Alabama. One last thing, I drive a vehicle for the famous search engine company known for its maps that you referenced early in your video. I've seen all the same roads and same neighborhoods after mapping over 30 states and I'm pretty sure we've discovered all of these roads ;) A great video! Thanks!

[@NickJohnson]

John! Email me! I'd love to talk to you about that more! NickJohnsonNC18@gmail

[@МарияК-з1е]

Thank you for your work. I love doing virtual walks from time to time on the streets and roads of the world. Primarily, the US. It's especially sad to see map street views from 2014 and 2022. Sometimes, I find that some areas were prosperous and well maintained 10 years ago, but now, in 2023 l, they are abandoned, covered in graffiti and weeds.

[@beverlybalius9303]

No, The US Industries exited America starting in the 70’s.

[@johnbartholf777]

@@narlywaves2371 57 people were shot in Chicago last weekend alone. It's not even a city anymore, it's a slaughterhouse with a mayor.

[@davidbrayshaw3529]

@@beverlybalius9303 The US has faced two real crisis's: The oil crisis of the 70's and the Reagan crisis of the 80's, the legacy of both are still with us today.

[@GenXfrom75]

We've got homeless people all over America, both as a result of their own choices and circumstances not of their choosing... And we give *billions* to outside interests... So wrong. 💔

[@elbertmoreno2159]

Best way to fix Alabama is to send 300 billion dollars to Ukraine...

[@Xme2555]

I am from the East, i feel like when your kid still hungry but you give away food for other. Wonder what's kid think?

[@beverlybalius9303]

The Politicians have to pay themselves, thats why they send money overseas, they money Launder it into their own pockets. President Trump worked for free,, Never vote Democrat or RINO,,, find real people to vote for.

[@beverlybalius9303]

@@elbertmoreno2159 Money for Democrats pockets,,,, kicks back to them.

[@recole374]

​@@elbertmoreno2159 you want to make putin more powerful. Wow. That's scary.

[@Asudememadam]

Moved from Palm Beach County, FL to small town in Coffee County Alabama and never looked back. Love it here. It's cheaper, less stressful and a helluva lot more affordable.

[@BKLYNGIRL222]

You’re the best, Nick. Being able to see what life is like around the country may help us to find ways to improve our communities.

[@JesusChrist-Gives-Eternal-Life]

True!

[@MAGAmaniac1000]

I think the true face of poverty looks like skid row in LA. People have a tent and are surrounded by junk and trash and live off a steady diet of theft, charity, and bad vices.

[@exodore2000]

I've been there I was in Harlem in the 80's, also been all over Detroit and Flint Michigan I thought the most impoverished area would be east St. Louis.

[@rainacherienne1010]

Exactly. In comparison AL here looks like paradise.

[@bobbyjohnson7460]

Most of those shabby trailers shown are owned by the people living there and they own the land as well. The grow much of their own food, they fix and work on their own cars, they have no mortgage, they own their car, they help each other. Yes they are absolutely poor, but many are living better than people in the inner cities making over 50k.

[@DVX755]

Yes its poor here......but I think most there would just call it "Southern Living". My parents grew up in the south and everybody was poor, but they never went hungry (they lived on a farm) and honestly, they had fresh non-chemical veggies, fresh beef and chicken, little to no crime and lots of gorgeous scenery and ponds and lakes......and since I live in crime-ridden city areas in the North with homeless people.....I have to ask myself, who is really poor, southerners or MYSELF?

[@FELIPE8226M]

Agreed!

[@piglet7943]

Sounds like you’re both poor. I’m in big city Houston and life is grand here.

[@carlos8040ca]

Both are poor

[@garrettsaulnier2651]

It really depends on where you’re at both are wonderful but both have downsides.

[@moosesandmeese969]

Lmao "little to no crime" if you don't count child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, and hate crimes

[@nicolehottendorf8981]

Nick, this was a great video. I really appreciated the interview with the professor.

[@vickierutherfordwhite5882]

Nick when you run down states like this we who live here love it. Keeps people out and that’s how we like it. Don’t move to Alabama or Mississippi we are full

[@artfarty9822]

Your videos are really opening people’s eyes as to the folly of allowing greedy corporate interests to write our laws. Keep up the good work.

[@charlesphilhower1452]

You mean big business partnered with big government.😊

[@htoddgriffin4787]

You mean the Republican Party

[@artfarty9822]

@@charlesphilhower1452 no... I mean big business and small government

[@artfarty9822]

@@charlesphilhower1452 when Republicans talk about complain about big government they are really speaking in code..meaning government regulations keeping 'job creators' down .When regulations are the only things keeping wall street from swallowing up pensions and personal liberty

[@charlesphilhower1452]

@@artfarty9822 in the USA government is way too big and partners with corrupt big businesses.

[@jalonatkins9885]

Coming from someone that grew up right under the black belt, a lot of ppl just don’t want more out of life, so living like this is all they’ve ever known and all they want to know

[@lynnsmith4]

I mean, not everybody wants to get caught up in spending their lives climbing a ladder to 'success' so they can buy more things to be trapped by.

[@jalonatkins9885]

@@lynnsmith4 True. I’m young and planning on leaving this area ASAP but I understand wanting a simpler life for sure

[@willbass2869]

@@lynnsmith4 not everyone climbing the corporate ladder gets hung up on just buying the newest "bright shiny things" Lots of people have used middle income corporate jobs to build wealth, purchase homes and set aside money for the future

[@craignelson3965]

@@willbass2869 I know I am not responsible enough to be rich. It would kill me quicker than poverty ever could. Most folks can't see that.

[@lilmercy1580]

I want more from life

[@KaranThakur927]

Spent 2.5 years in Huntsville, Alabama (Masters at The University of Alabama in Huntsville). Quiet, serene place to live. Miss that place and my college a lot. Good old days. 'Sweet Home Alabama' gave a different kick everytime I listened to it while I was there! Witnessed my first and only US shooting at the Quail Pointe Apartments where I used to live.

[@adamg7730]

Bad move by that lady to not speak to you. She could have gotten a big audience to hear about her views and issues. Fantastic interview with the guy at the end.

[@NickJohnson]

Yeah she’s full of herself

[@daisukishikamaru4920]

100% agree.

[@Rebelqueen89]

I don't miss any of your videos !! Thank you Nick for your work.

[@arvelneecy5570]

I notice that the streets are clean and orderly, though; unlike large cities. There is nothing wrong with living a simple life, might be good for retirees.

[@digglerdudeuk]

I agree, I would absolutely prefer to live out there than some crime-ridden city.

[@Gamesso1slOo0l]

I agree, WAY better than the inner cities.

[@stevenmutumbu2860]

I love this kind of places leaving in big Cities can be very chaotic +44 LONDON LOCKED

[@willard39]

Here's a thought, let's use the billions in foreign aid and what we send the UN to help revitalize these depressed areas?

[@MX-CO]

Bingo. I think the should Revitalize Route 66 that would be aaaamazing

[@benallmark9671]

Lol

[@andymac900]

What we give to the UN is nothing compared to what we get in return, this expert seems very bitter to me, the fact that China is also a member has kept talks peaceful and is also why China could not retaliate after all the trump garbage, you can rest assured that if Biden had not reestablished that relationship, America could easily been at war with China now

[@Gabe23grif]

As someone that lives in the area. These people would probably shoot the UN if they were to come over here. They hate the government. They honestly just want to work and be left alone.

[@kpokpojiji]

Empire or not? A lot of that foreign "aid" is bribe money to buy us more power or cheap bananas.

[@yolandas.6193]

Nick - you mentioned the lack of internet. I agree. Years ago the U.S. Government wanted to bring internet to these poor regions in Alabama and Mississippi and AT&T and other broadband providers protested and the U.S. backed off with the agreement AT&T and others would bring fast broad band to these places. AT&T and others did not do this. They brought slow internet and gouged the people for that. I use to work for AT&T and in the system i could see what different parts of the country paid. In Mississippi and Alabama the people paid two to three times as much as city people often for poorer service.

[@thooks1234]

These people have they innernets on they phones.

[@alexanderwilson527]

Obama fixed that problem. Healthcare too

[@Harrys.Truman-fanpage]

@@alexanderwilson527as you can see, Obama fixed the problem when this video was filmed in 2023. Thanks Obama

[@LuLu_0815]

Very true. I'm stuck with century link because they have a "deal" with AT&T that they won't infringe on their territory. I don't pay for slow internet. I have unlimited data and use a hot spot instead.

[@AngelERuiz]

Thank you for taking time to make this video

[@Gabe23grif]

I live in the area and work at the local car manufacturer Hyundai is south Montgomery. The people in the area are actually really happy. To everyone’s surprise. A lot of the poor people in Lowndes county commute to work. They typically work for a supplier for Hyundai, Tyson chicken houses, stuff like that. The real worse off poor is in far west Alabama. Like Selma, union town, demopolis, Sumter, and Choctaw counties. Those are the places that honestly have little to no hope, and no manufacturing jobs in site. Central Alabama where I’m from companies are moving here it just takes time. Amazon is building a new facility and my job Hyundai is building a new battery facility. So things are on the upside here finally. With the low cost and no unions a lot of companies are flocking to the south to take advantage of the low cost of labor.

[@benton-benton]

Yeah, it makes me want to move there and get some land and grow a really big garden. So much rich dirt going to waste.

[@Gabe23grif]

@@benton-benton I actually have me a little garden in the front of my house. I have to say my peppers, onions, and tomatoes are going great. I love where I live it’s so peaceful and Alabama is so beautiful. We have a little bit of everything. Southern hospitality, nice beaches, beautiful rivers, and mountains.

[@benton-benton]

@@Gabe23grif A little garden in front of your house sounds so nice. Glad to hear your garden is doing so well! Alabama does look really nice. I've only been through one time. That rich dirt really got to me, thinking about a garden. I've been looking for somewhere else to live, and who knows I might move to Alabama from this ridiculously high property taxed area of Ohio I live in.

[@Gabe23grif]

@@benton-benton I really wish he went through the town I live in prattville. It’s a really nice suburb outside of Montgomery and would’ve shed some light on the black belt area. It isn’t all run down and poor there is hope for the area.

[@JessicaWhiteheadAKA]

@@Gabe23grif Cute lil town, I'm from that area !!

[@IlaE.Williams-LaBelleZ]

I spent many, many happy hours in the Alabama Black belt, my mother's home...and it IS called the "Black Belt" because of the Black people, PERIOD...

[@Reality_TV]

Nick, it would be very interesting for you to show how this area got to be this way. Slavery, freedom, the Klu Klux Klan, Jim Crow laws and then the subsequent aftermath. That will show you all you need to know about why this area is like this. In addition to that, look at how the federal dollars flow into Alabama to take care of areas like this and how that money is then reallocated! What you're seeing is purposeful there! The education system, which used to be separated by race and still is to a great degree in Alabama, is used as a tool to control the poor and keep them that way. Alabama gets federal money to help these areas. They just don't use the money to help these areas - instead, sending that money to more prosperous areas of the state. It is a system designed to control people and keep the poor in their place!

[@carolynhorne9863]

Believe me he is not going there, truth isn't in the Edomites blood

[@robindear5043]

There is a law in Lowndes County that residents MUST have their septic systems installed by a certain company. The systems are poorly designed and grossly overpriced, and if residents can't pay for it, they are ARRESTED....WHAAT?!! Is this not alarming? Is it not alarming that people suffer from hookworms due to this diabolical law??

[@thooks1234]

Democrats want to keep these people like this. Democrats pander to these people every two years, promising them "help". Lowndes county votes Democrat about 85%+. All these counties in southwest AL do. They all look like this.

[@cknorris3644]

its always someone else's fault huh? Get outta here. 🤣😂🤣😂

[@joedirago14]

@@cknorris3644 spoken like a true ignoramus

[@RichEmbury]

I don't understand why this place isn't producing lots of agriculture products, if the soil is great? Where I am, it's winter for half the year with temps as cold as -40c and f . But it's the number one producer of mustard and canola in the world. Alabama with a longer grow season should be rolling in agriculture cash. So much potential, Sad. Hope it improves.

[@jackrobertson1941]

There is a lot of agriculture in that region. It just doesn't provide as many jobs as it used to because of mechanization. There's a lot of cotton and peanuts and pastureland around there.

[@chrisburruel3019]

​@Matt Golden *no-one wants to do that type of work for 7.25 an hour*

[@ES-bn1bi]

@@chrisburruel3019 YES! Important point!

[@andykumar4103]

Excellent information . Thanks for the video.

[@thestandardrlc]

I went to college in Montgomery for 4 years and thought about leaving. I visited my friend in Tyler(Lowndes County) and It didn't sit well that Alabama had ppl living in those conditions. It reeked of contentment and I had to go.

[@RoyGBiv-lc8tv]

Yeah our state government is not great.

[@scottandrews947]

Yeah, I was stationed at Maxwell Air Force Base about 10 years ago. Super nice people in Montgomery, but the poverty was evident and sad. Downtown Montgomery was pretty nice though.

[@kinte1870]

All states have poor rural areas 😂.

[@thestandardrlc]

@@kinte1870 right. But I'm a city kid. And what I saw changed my mind about how Alabama fit into my life.

[@dtaylor4001]

This state is behind the times. Some ppl have never been out of the square perimeters of their environment which is insane. This is all they know. They don't open books magazines to expand their minds There's much more to the works then where you were born. Bless these ppl

[@jeffstewart3342]

I grew up here it aint that bad.

[@cicicorleo]

It actually looks safe and it looks way better than L.A. imo.

[@RoyGBiv-lc8tv]

@@cicicorleo that’s a low bar lmao. Still horrible though.

[@oneone5028]

There is so much going on in north Alabama and it will feel like you are in different state altogether. Black belt region is a drag not just for Alabama but for the entire southern states. Without black belt region Alabama will be much higher statistically in every aspect. Alabama as such is a beautiful state and has extremely nice people. I moved from NJ to Huntsville Alabama last year and I can’t be more happy with my decision.

[@javeydones5163]

I agree, I lived in NJ near Camden for a short bit. But I’m from Huntsville Alabama. Huntsville is one the best places to live in the country economically. The real poverty in places like Camden NJ doesn’t compare to most of Alabama. Not to mention Huntsville has its own unique feel.

[@LuLu_0815]

The coast is very nice too. Mobile can be kind of iffy but there are a lot of smaller, safer towns just off the interstate that allows for easy commutes into the city. It's not all like the black belt but they definitely like to portray us as such 😂

[@charlesphilhower1452]

One of the black guys mentioned family as one of the things that keeps him happy. Maybe being safe and having a healthy family life is more important to some people than having money. There is a minimum that people need to survive but beyond that many poor people in the world are happy to have a healthy lifestyle even though they are poor.

[@jimwhite6225]

We use what we have.

[@ItCouldHappenHere]

That's a very sweeping generalization. Do you have the personal knowledge to back this up? I do not know many poor people who are happy to be that way.

[@12aticus]

The conversation these guys are coming up with completely dances around the racial aspect to why these areas which again have been historically overlooked and discussed that this is a continuation of this history.

[@polarityrecords]

Thank you. First comment of any real insight I’ve seen in this thread.

[@lettersandwordsandstuffs]

High crime...noone wants to bring jobs

[@Ray03595]

People really think this stuff just happened by accident. The lack of understanding history is astonishing.

[@Vibezofamommy]

Yes it was oissing me off so bad cause they aren’t talking real they are talking from what they think

[@cjampack2011]

Nick, you are a national treasure, my friend. On the road again... Cheers

[@Madeintheshade65]

Out in the rural parts of Alabama sometimes you’ll find entire families living on a plot of land

[@LuLu_0815]

Yep. My great grandfather bought 700 acres with his brother for next to nothing. We run cows on it and there are 5 houses of relatives on it. It's so helpful for the young families starting out. My dad and uncle deeded over plots of land to their kids so they could borrow against that paid-for asset to build their houses.

[@kingjoseph5901]

My sister and brother in law have been able to mostly isolate themselves from the government in the last 3 years. Nice house on top a mountain in Tennessee. They have chickens and other animals. Theyre continuing to build onto their home and clearing the land more and more. They have a garden full of vegetables as well. Theyre also still not incredibly far from a hospital or town of needed. Its quite, not a lot of people and its beautiful.

[@jarodarmstrong509]

Tell them to refuse to pay the property tax. They'll be unisolated hella fast even in Tennessee

[@maheshch1829]

I'm not from US, i wonder aren't they supposed to pay taxes as that place is still in Tennessee??

[@rosanelson1373]

Alabama is not really a bad place to live. I am from Marion, Alabama. The only reason as to why I left is for a better job so I moved to New Jersey. And I do have to admit I retired from two jobs in New Jersey. I don't think that would have happened had I not left. However most of my Family are still there. I love going back there þo visit my family and friends. A lot of my friends are still there also. Whenever they find out that I am in town they all will start calling me and I have to try to go over and visit them before I go back to Jersey.

[@JessicaWhiteheadAKA]

So cool....I love the Marion, Uniontown, Demopolis area(s)

[@walterjohnson2031]

What the hell is a Alabama Boy doing in NJ after retirement?? Were you infected by the North Eastern Virus?? God Bless

[@Anony584]

I went to school at Marion. It's a laid back place and good for retirees.

[@vicvega3614]

I go to New Orleans and into Mobile once every year and have for 5 years. Best food ive ever had and some of the NICEST people you will EVER meet. Southern hospitality is amazing

[@larrybuckner8619]

Nick… you have driven all over the country and showed your subscribers what country is really like. You should somehow make some type of serious documentary with the information and videos that you have. include politicians in the video. Somehow get ideas from the right kind of people so that the documentary is seen by literally everyone. kind of like Al Gore’s climate change documentary. I think it’s really that important that people see what is really going on in our country. I also would like to thank you for showing me personally the reality of what’s going on in my country.

[@jpjp3873]

So you’re recommending Nick make a documentary like Al Gore? So basically a total BS propaganda show to grift the populace for billions to enrich himself and phony foundations?

[@eddymahon1503]

Agreed. I’ve been watching Tommy G recently and he really gets into it. Scary

[@whoscook4481]

al gore? Lololollolol! Seriously?

[@larrybuckner8619]

@@whoscook4481 I did not agree with Al Gore I was just saying that he had a lot of attention put on his documentary

[@larrybuckner8619]

@@eddymahon1503 yea man I’ve checked him out too. My opinion…. lots and lots and lots of people have no idea what our country is really like outside of their own town.

[@matteofazio7845]

As an italian man living on the Alps I'd prefer to live in rural Alabama rather then LA, SF, Seattle or NYC. Rural areas are way more safe IMO. I went to the US back in 2017 and drove more then 6000 kms, such a beautiful and diverse country!! Can't wait to visit again!

[@patriciajoyner9871]

I live in AL. Work as a nurse.during my hospice days I will take the poor over money. Very welcoming.

[@kevinalfieri9772]

God bless you

[@eddienichols209]

I'm a native Alabamian and have lived here for over half a century with no regrets and no shame. From where i stand, it's all about perspective. Northerners and Westerners alike have always been quick to stereotype us Southerners as poverty stricken backwoods uneducated gun loving racists socially awkward and atleast twenty years behind the rest of the country in every measurable statistic. Uh huh, yep. Well thankfully, change is inevitable. It's been stated that the only things in this life you can depend on are death and taxes. Whoever started that saying didn't really think that through thoroughly because in all reality, the one and only thing that you can count on to be a constant factor day in and day out is "change". Changes take place every day all around us in ways large and small we oft times can't even see. But I digress. For those with eyes to see, understand the unmistakable signs of the times we are currently in. Literally within the last few years the pendulum of change has begun its transformational swing and a massive restructuring of everything is currently underway all around us across the entire world and even our entire solar system. What an incredible time to be alive!!! These are unprecedented times! Learn all you can while you still can. Not that many years ago, the sheer volume of information on the internet freely available to each and every one of us 24/7/365 couldn't be accurately calculated and was actually beyond our abilities to even comprehend. Let that sink in. So profound a statement has rarely been made ever! The "internet" as we know it today became publicly available to us in the late 1990's, not that long ago! Now for some sad/bad news: roughly five or six years ago, the volume of information available on the internet for us to access started shrinking. Within another year, the volume of information had been reduced considerably more. In essence, the internet we used to access is no more. Much of the info out there now is contrived propaganda. Facts that don't support the contrived drivel of the day history rewrites are memory holed into oblivion. Pray to be granted the Divine gift of discernment. There is no other way to reveal lies from truth. Dark energy overlaying is potentially everywhere and contaminating everything. One of the most powerful evil entities in existence is named Chaos. Chaos had been chained in confinement, isolated from humanity for millennia. He was recently freed and unleashed into our world. And that was the beginning of the upside down warped thought processes becoming commonly normal behavior and also when it seemed that any government leaders public speeches were truly insane (and insanity in all thinking is the new normal nowadays). Now for some good news: If you didn't know or haven't heard, many Biblical prophecies have manifested into reality within the past two years! Wow! If you doubt anything I've said, please, take it to God in prayer. I bid you all well, God Bless and Godspeed!

[@jimwhite6225]

I'm here. Love it no crime or noise. Dozier Alabama

[@rituwebpro]

Alabama. LOL. Shitty place.

[@gopro2027]

land, home, freedom... May be poor but im sure plenty of these people are happy having their own little slice of life

[@DollyPardonMe701]

Having a lottery in Alabama would be a huge mistake! Usually, the least who can afford to are the ones playing the lottery. That just leads to more and more poverty 😞

[@arisgran1]

I live in a small Alabama town and people are still playing the lottery. They will give money and numbers to someone that will go and buy for many many people. Florida and Georgia are getting the money that Alabama would be if they ever allowed us to have the lottery here.

[@lynnsmith4]

I agree. I used to want the lottery until Georgia got it. This selling of 20 and 30 dollar scratch off tickets is just ridiculous. People without an education can't understand how astronomical the odds are in winning.

[@annahgibbus8]

What's worse is when people who have never had a lot of money to take care of they lose it all right away.

[@DollyPardonMe701]

@@narlywaves2371 I’m sorry you have trouble with reading comprehension. Keep at it though!

[@natalieeuley1734]

Nah. I live in AL and toooooons of people just pay the TN lottery instead

[@tonymedina34]

What I saw in this footage was what looks like a nice place. Seems like a place where people take mowing yards seriously. The grass looks greener there

[@jimwhite6225]

It is Dozier Alabama pop. 320.

[@WestSide2400]

I grew up in the black belt of Alabama, and lived in inner city Chicago for nearly a decade - both locations are a prime example of failed partisan policy.

[@moonshinefuel]

On the opening scene some of those mobile homes have huge lots, that's not a bad thing especially if they own the land, usually they pack people in to small parks' and rent the spaces. That's actually better! Nice and green trees, good soil. I don't know Nick, there's a lot to appreciate there.

[@benton-benton]

They could have really good gardens with all that good dirt.

[@mattcorriere9039]

That's what I was thinking. I'm really surprised how few gardens I saw. I would be growing almost all my food.

[@benton-benton]

@@mattcorriere9039 Yep. Me too.

[@kendallsmith1458]

Beats paying lot rent. Vulture capital corps are buying up old trailer parks, jacking up rent, fees and cutting maintenance.

[@bc-ologystudios1420]

@@mattcorriere9039 they’re probably too busy doing heroin and collecting food stamps to practice healthy daily routines.

[@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE123]

Hello Nick my friend, Wow that looks like South Australia in the country outside Adelaide, Th for sharing, Cheers 😊

[@RRFTB]

Love this one, Nick.

[@qbqb99]

How can you quantify the effects of slavery? How long does it take to wear off? Where should the blame go? "Pull yourself up by the boot strap, you got LeBron you got Oprah you got Obama. Slavery is no longer an excuse..." All things I've heard from America.

[@turnne]

@Q B There are many calculators out there for the " lost wealth" of slavery as well as the massive impact of wealth it was responsible for in the United States You also have to recall that there was another 100 years of Jim Crow laws AFTER slavery was abolished

[@Reality_TV]

Lebron & Oprah can't cure the systemic divestment of industry in every poor place in the US! Education is key! Notice that Republicans now are looking to control education. If you can stomp out education for the poorest, the poor will stay poor and the disparity between poor people and rich people will grow wider!

[@Marshae-vw1nn]

Not just slavery. The Civil Rights Act didn't recognize blacks, women and immigrants as deserving of basic human rights until 1964 and it wasn't immediate. Then you had to deal with globalization and the degradation of American industry. Blacks in this and similar areas did not stand a chance.

[@thooks1234]

@@Marshae-vw1nn 1964 was 59 years ago. That's been 3+ generations. How much longer is it going to take?

[@Marshae-vw1nn]

@@thooks1234 a generation is 20-30 years. There is still an entire generation of living black people who fought for civil rights and had to deal with policies from the 70s and 80s and 90s that deliberately disenfranchised black and other minorities. Get out your bubble and do your research.

[@simongodfrey866]

Majority of people can't create job. We just move to those places that there are already work and employment opportunity, whether we are poor or rich, as long as we can afford it financially. Quite frankly the main thing that keeps these people still around is the social welfare, and that is it.

[@kam.kam.]

This was a very real and honest conversation. Good job.

[@WhostheMAC1]

Nothing will Rot a House more than it sitting empty! Sad to see, lot of the homes probably were nice at one time.

[@billycox475]

Not sure why this isn't a thriving farming region. Great soil, above average rainfall.

[@michaelswi123]

Government is running all the farmers out

[@kateglastic9826]

I live in Australia...this looks okay to me..soooo much space and so green.

[@FallacyAsPraxis]

As bad as it is I don't see ny tents or people pooping on the street.

[@petrey9712]

I grew up in the late seventies and the word poverty was rarely said , most people just said poor or if you were really rough shape then dirt poor . You don't miss what you have never had . My childhood was great even with very little.

[@patrickharris456]

Thank you for what you do eye opening 😮

[@aok43]

Doesnt look half as bad as inner city Baltimore or Philly. And with much nicer people and way less likelihood of being shot for your shoes or the 20 bucks in your pocket. Edit: and there it is at 14:20 😅

[@hoopty.]

I know right

[@RoyGBiv-lc8tv]

Why are you defending this? Nobody should be living like this. Whether it’s rural Alabama or inner city Baltimore, it all sucks and it’s all tragic.

[@hoopty.]

@@RoyGBiv-lc8tv it's not all bad. It's home for some people. It's their choice of life. Just like others have their choice of living. Most of these people have everything they need. Food water and shelter.

[@TheHamburgler123]

@Hoopty Driver Agreed. I'm incredibly fortunate that I own my own business and it's seasonal in nature (8-9 months out of the year). This has allowed me to see much of the world in the winter, my off-season. I just hit my 25th and 26th country this last winter. Perspective is everything. 70% of the world lives on less than $10/day, 46% lives on less than $5.50/day and 8% lives on less than $2/day. I've witnessed it with my own eyes. Many would be envious of what those living in the black belt have. As long as their needs are met, and they're happy with their lives, who are we to judge.

[@darrellchitwood9167]

I’ve been watching your videos, this one was particularly interesting because of the views of your guest. I grew up in southern Indiana and moved away right out of high school moving west eventually ending up on the coast. I’m retired now and have moved back. I missed it.

[@abunchahooey]

The man you interviewed is spot on. Breakdown of families, providing too many handouts, and as another poster mentioned, Obamacare reimbursement based on cost of living, so more money to states with higher costs of living. Rural hospitals/clinics close down, families won’t want to move there, schools close, business leaves, etc. And YES there is absolutely no difference between Democrats and Republicans at this point in time. And in towns like shown, a factory could be built with decent pay and benefits, and they still couldn’t hire enough quality people to work, because why get up at 6am and hump it to work when you can stay home and get government handouts?

[@maryseflore7028]

There actually IS one important difference between the two parties: ask any parent of a trans kid. That being said - There is a habit in the US of calling ANYTHING coming from the government a "handout", and people react negativally to that. Then, they don't want to help because "those people live on handouts, they're lazy". That circle must be broken, and for that, everyone needs to put aside preconceived ideas, which is not easy, and policitians don't want to bust those preconceptions cause it gives them the excuse of not intervening...

[@Thehandsomeliberal]

Republicans would rather we talk about crime in liberal cities.

[@robertkeffer3361]

Or trans people doing beer commercials !!

[@davehughesfarm7983]

im a neo - liberal hater

[@botoyo7374]

I do not know what your concept of poor. They have a nice peaceful life. I bet you that they do not have the psychological problems that the rest of the country has.

[@Jarrettshome]

Alabama is actually improving because people are leaving northern states to live in Montgomery, Auburn, Tuscaloosa & Birmingham.

[@AndreaJ19715]

Beautiful, clean and lush!! The way the trees canopy the roads is so beautiful!! You don't want to go there stay away. North Carolina was once no man's land and parts still is. There's some benefits of such because folks bring they're mess from the areas they were escaping with them.

[@thebadgladdadd5218]

I would like to say that I grew up in Gallion Al, in the black belt. The towns he drove through are some of the poorest towns there. However, scattered all through the black belt are towns that are growing. Look at Demopolis. That town has come a long way since I was a child. All said there are problems all over. Not just in real Alabama

[@ChellaTims]

I was waiting for Demopolis or Livingston too! My family is from Cuba and my aunt and uncle are still there. I truly miss the beauty of the people and the land down there.

[@cienergi]

I am seeing this in my town. My mom’s neighborhood was so beautiful and full of life. The factory jobs left, the adult kids went to college and moved to bigger cities, elderly parents aren’t able to fix their house, and people aren’t having children anymore. I see a beautiful land that is filled with timber and gardens or farmland. Ideally, Americans could look up their genealogy and move back to the land of the grandparents. They could build houses, internet, and jobs. It’s hard, nothing’s easy. I talked to my family several times to go our grandparents’ land which is one state away and no one wants to go. I went to college for my career and will be taking a big step pay cut and amenities too if I move there.

[@cienergi]

@@truthadvocacy You have to go to college for my career. I’m a licensed educator and been one for decades.

[@doreenplischke2169]

It is a commendable thought. However humans had tried that ‘back to land movement’ back in the days already and it failed. But I love to think it could work if we figured what went wrong in the first place.

[@ryban1001]

On the flip side, Alabama and Arkansas have some of the most beautiful places in America.

[@JohnMoore-xf5wy]

Absolutely. DeSoto State Park. Ruby Falls. Little River Canyon. Mentone.

[@Willie23D]

Born and raised in alabama 😢! I left a long time ago and things haven’t changed 😮

[@rollthedice54]

The Economics Professor at the end of video is brilliant! He has a grasp on Austrian Economics.

[@elenatramsti5176]

The soil in the Black Belt should be used for growing healthy food. We need that and will need it even more in the future.

[@dee.tyson1]

Great video!!!🎉

[@susan5301]

Another thought-provoking video! I'd love to know how these folks really feel about the way they live. Personally, I would find it so sad. Thanks for another great video, Nick! ❤

[@laurie7689]

My Mom grew up poor in Baltimore, Maryland. She was a happy child, according to her. She didn't even realize that she was poor until she met my Dad. He was a country boy from another State and he took her out of Baltimore and out of Maryland into the middle class suburbs in another State. Only then, did she realize that she had been poor. It made her sad to know that she had been poor while being so happy as a child. She had told me that she knew that her parents struggled from time to time, but my grandparents didn't share any of that burden with their kids.

[@barbarasteed3966]

Rather live there than SF or any of the big crime cities.

[@ReneStucki-v7j]

I wish I had not wasted my life/youth in Florida. The free state of Alabama allows people to live as they want. What you see is folks that want to live easy.

[@karenkennedy6331]

America has not invested in its infrastructure in years.😢😢😢😢

[@Shannonbarnesdr1]

when they quit blaming others and expecting others to do it for them, that would be a solid start to changing their situations. so many educated black folks will tell them the same in a hot second !

[@draines9237]

That's a fact and this is coming from a black person who is woke about our current state in economics

[@memk4749]

I don’t see many ppl in rural Alabama blaming anyone