Understanding South Carolina’s Mind Blowing Rural Poverty

How did the south get to this point?? This is tragic.
You can order Ms. Wanda Green's book here!
www.wandagreenenterprises.com...
If you look at a list of the poorest states in America, you’ll see something quite noticeable: Many of our most economically challenged areas are in the deep south. Places like Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina. And yes, I’m aware these all also happen to be some of our most staunchly republican states as well.
The general population here has never really had an opportunity for success. This area has relied on agriculture and manufacturing forever now, while all of the white collar and industrialized jobs were up north.
Today, farming has become modernized, and a lot of manufacturing jobs have gone overseas.
I spent some time in the poorest part of South Carolina - an area here in the northeastern part of the state. Much of this part of this state has sure has fallen on hard times. In many areas like this in South Carolina, you’ll see communities where a third of the residents live in poverty. There’s a term for rural areas like this in the south that are very poor. They’re called dirt road democrats.
But that’s nothing compared to some of the more rural parts of South Carolina where we’ll spend most of our time. For example, this is McColl, South Carolina. Here, 28% of the population lives in poverty. McColl and another community we’ll visit are here in Marlborough County, which is a mostly rural, poverty stricken county right on the North Carolina state line.
McColl only has 2,100 people, and the population has dropped by more than 30% since the year 2000. 1 in 10 residents in McColl are part of the Pee Dee Native American Indian Tribe.
The average household here in McColl brings in around $22,000. Of course, inflation in the form of higher gas and food prices hits these people the hardest, so $22,000 for mom AND dad goes far less than it did even a year ago.
Just 10 miles down the road from McColl is a larger and even poorer community. This is Bennettsville, the county seat of Marlborough County. The downtown area of Bennettsville is actually kinda charming in it’s own way, although many of the businesses here left long ago, and there’s no sign they’re coming back. The population here is around 7,700 people, but 1 in 5 people left town within the last 10 years alone. There just aren’t a lot of opportunities in small town South Carolina. Kids no longer stick around and work the family business or on farms. A lot of kids who grow up here leave town as soon as they’re able to. An example of that is this guy who is a well known actor from Parks and Recreation. He got outta here when he was 18.
In Bennettsville, the poverty rate is even higher than in nearby McColl. Almost 1 out of every 3 members of the community lives below the poverty line. That’s almost triple the national average. The schools here are very much underfunded, even for South Carolina standards. There was a hospital in town years ago, but it closed its doors because patients didn’t have insurance.
Many of the homes we’ll see driving around Bennettsville are valued at $10,000. Can you imagine that?
Sure, it’s super cheap here, but there’s nothing to do for stimulation. You’d have to work from home. Many of the people along these streets do NOT have the ability to work from home because they don’t have those skills. Check this chart out - this is a list of every county in South Carolina based on the number of college graduates. At the bottom is Marlborough County - where less than 1 in 10 residents completed college. Of course, college can be a waste of time and is hugely overpriced. But the road out of poverty goes through a college education in many cases. There are also technology challenges here. Many of these homes don’t have updated computers or reliable internet.
If these rural communities in South Carolina don’t change their lives, it’s gonna get worse here. There aren’t any families lining up to move here to take advantage of the cheap housing. There aren’t a lot of companies working on plans to bring in jobs to the area. Can you imagine how this place will look with the next generation? Will much of rural South Carolina just be wiped off the map in 50 years? Because at the rate we’re going now, there won’t be anyone left here one day.
#southcarolina #moving
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[@NickJohnson]

You can buy Ms. Wanda Green's book here! www.wandagreenenterprises.com/bookstore/p/get-out-of-the-boat

[@g-audreye1387]

Thank you!

[@cryptic8043]

One has to recognize that God has cursed such a place for all the abuse and slavery that land saw for a centuries.

[@frankrosenbloom]

Will buy Wanda's book.

[@frankrosenbloom]

@@cryptic8043 Slavery has existed in the first civilizations, such as Sumer in Mesopotamia, which dates back as far as 3500 BCE. No doubt longer. Instead, God should bless the place for getting rid of such evil. All civilizations evolve. You must judge those in history based upon the situation that existed then, not by our 21st century sensibilities. Slavery was always intrinsically wrong, but it was often not recognized as such. We need to move on.

[@danadretzel1171]

@@cryptic8043 so God has cursed black descendants of slaves. It not just white people that live here. So if it is cursed then then the black community is also under that curse. Poverty don’t care about race here. Black and white struggle to make it.

[@Hannahbenowitz]

I remember in 2007 when I was working in real estate seeing people buy homes new from builders with the intention of selling before close of escrow to a new buyer for profit. The crash was so brutal and fast that I remember seeing a lot of these units foreclosed on with the builder plastic still on the carpet.

[@PennyBergeron-os4ch]

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[@FinnBraylon]

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[@HildaBennet]

I just googled her and I'm really impressed with her credentials; I reached out to her since I need all the assistance I can get. I just scheduled a caII.

[@seang8314]

I'm from the town of Chester, SC and one of the details being left out of why these small towns are so poor is government corruption runs rampant through these towns. If you look through everyone of these little towns you'll notice a pattern of corruption, whether it be police departments, city councils, all forms of government employees have stolen resources allocated to these communities. The mindsets have to change but don't forget to address the people who are rigging the game for the people

[@grandmashands5219]

You are absolutely right. I came to south Carolina to use my skills and experience.I was told I was trying to take over the town. And I was a trouble maker. So I am leaving going to another place where the positive people are.

[@user-eu3qy8uf7f]

True. Very true. I just had a mind blowing incident of this in a small southern town selling some property. A certain official made me (stole) give them half the overflow by claiming my deceased relative also on the original deed was no around to collect. My research has found they do this to many and the old lawyers and "judges are in on the "deal.

[@turnne]

@Sean G Its called the good old boy system I am going to bet there are a few ( mostly white) men that are own a significant part of these areas and are wealthy They are tied in with the politicians and its a vicious cycle

[@hassanwarso3764]

Hey guys, I would like to move out of San Francisco Bay Area in which is very good place and lots of job and good people but very expensive areas to move in Florence South Carolina, but how’s cost of living there and people

[@robertl.fallin7062]

The used and the users?

[@elainecantrell]

As a former South Carolina teacher, I often ran into the problem of generational poverty. Mrs. Green is correct. They can't imagine life any other way, which of course limits them their entire life

[@jenh7004]

When I lived in Charleston, South Carolina, I saw the re-emergence of segregation via the push for "Charter Schools". The fact that you had to apply to a federally funded school (which, surprise, surprise-- took predominately white students) said everything I needed to know about S.C. It is INSTITUTIONALIZED poverty that will always keep the poor down. Of course they "can't imagine life any other way"

[@loralarose9615]

Oh please there dem mayors in those towns

[@loralarose9615]

@Squad wipes™ you know not every mayor repub

[@lauren9004]

I will remember this

[@managersamuel]

Wanda Green is as honest as she is inspirational.

[@thiaguinhooitodois2211]

When you hear the federal govt giving away to other countries billions of dollars and then you see this home makes me very upset.

[@conservativehippie9736]

Me too!!! Infuriating tbh

[@N1ghtH4wk86]

Ukraine asking for another billion l

[@theashpilez]

Be a mexican lawbreaker in califurnia you will be a king. Free food,rent,electricity,medical, legal. The list is very lengthy. An American citizen is left by the freeway TO DIE.

[@burntbronze.9082]

@@rogersmith7396 your solution sucks. 😂😀

[@Dr.Pepper001]

I'm 75 and this has been going on all my lifetime. Billions in foreign aid while poor communities are neglected.

[@ithacacomments4811]

My grandmother always said, "I might be a pauper....but I don't have to live like one!" She cleaned. She sewed. She gleaned from the woods and the fields. She baked, and did laundry for others for income. She found a way to live decently. Grandfather was blind. It was all on her.

[@dcg590]

Your grandmother was a badass!

[@drdavinsky]

The real privilege is economic. Not “White” privilege. I’m a sociologist who address this on my channel.

[@hallucinatingsiren]

Yeah yeah your grandma worked hard so everyone who lives in poverty deserves it. Yawn.

[@victoria.xseven7913]

Resourcefulness, Imagination, determination

[@katemendenhall6841]

What a woman! My mother lost her sight when she was 24, I was 6mths old, her first child. Your grandmother must have been an amazing woman!

[@dolphthedon4409]

I’m literally from Bennettsville and I saw my old house and my grandparents house. This video made the reality of it so much worse. Looking at it from a third person it makes it all sink in. I honestly don’t know what to say.

[@1611Out-law]

I know what you mean. I don't live in McColl no more but it breaks my heart to see it so poor.

[@marlowecrosland6994]

I’m from bucksport I was thinking the same thing

[@saharasafari9]

That’s what they get

[@dolphthedon4409]

@@saharasafari9 what you mean??

[@saharasafari9]

@@dolphthedon4409 exactly what I said

[@AlexanderBuggeStage]

Ms. Green seems like a very wholesome person, and an upbeat realist. Thanks for sharing this.

[@Ekkis25]

I am from SC . I was raised by a single Mom and we were on Food stamps and welfare. I went to work at 14 and made straight A's and i was the first person in my family to graduate from college. My grandmother watched me receive my degree I was her only grandchild to get a degree out of her 7 grandchildren. Sometimes you have to stop bailing and jump out of the boat. Both of my daughters graduated from college as well.

[@NickJohnson]

Yay! ❤️❤️🙂

[@AKINGston5]

Congratulations to you that is amazing!! Continue to be a great example to your family

[@hassanwarso3764]

Hey guys, I would like to move out of San Francisco Bay Area in which is very good place and lots of job and good people but very expensive areas to move in Florence South Carolina, but how’s cost of living there and people

[@Ekkis25]

@@hassanwarso3764 cost of living is low , there is state income tax and most towns have a 7% sales tax. People are very friendly there , big enough to have everything you need but some things like big sports and the beach are 70 minutes away. Florence has easy access to I20 and I95-think Atlanta and Florida with a few hours drive

[@hassanwarso3764]

@@Ekkis25 Thank you for taking time and replied to me btw I will see also Sumter

[@d.j.savick]

I know firsthand what Ms. Green is talking about when she says it is scary to "step out and do something different" to get out of generational poverty. Both my parents were high school dropouts. They proceeded to have five children on a single minimum wage income and lived way out in the "sticks". My grandparents did the same thing. I refused to do it. I saw the mistakes my parents made. No education and too many children is a repetitive formula for poverty in my family, and I did not want to follow that. I saved my babysitting money. Left as soon as I graduated and turned 18. Got a job in a college town and put myself through college working night shifts at a hospital. It took 12 years, but I got my degree debt free and broke the cycle. I had a wonderful career that I loved. I have substantial investments. I am early retired, and my only child has just finished his master's degree. I am thankful that I had the foresight, the mindset and hard work ethic to break the cycle of rural poverty in my family. If I can do it, anyone can.

[@greyeaglem]

People know what they know and don't know any different. You had vision and used it to break that cycle. When we wonder why people keep making these same mistakes, we should think of it in terms of people being raised in a certain religion. You're whatever religion you are because your parents were and that's how you were raised. Most people don't change religions. I realize this is a generalization as some people have no religion or change for marriage reasons, etc. but the point I wanted to make is people generally follow the path their shown by their family.

[@d.j.savick]

@@greyeaglem I totally agree. I am the only person, in my extended family, to go to college. We were never encouraged to be anything different than what we were. Even today, I go back to visit that tiny impoverished community that my siblings still live in and I am kind of snubbed for being "too good to live here" or "putting on airs" or "think you're better than the rest of us". I DON'T think I'm better, I think I'm different and there is nothing wrong with that. But it's like you said, a religion. It's what they believe in and they think it's all they can do. I think it's like brain washing and I refused to be told how to live.

[@antonniocunningham7398]

It all depends not everybody can

[@ravemaster7405]

I have no idea why poor people feel the need to have so many kids. I'm 24 and would never have a kid cuz I live with my mom and no better I'm having kids once I have my own home and life completely figured out. Yet I have a coworker who's 29 and already on his 6th kid. We are both truck drivers and don't make that much money. Defenitly not enough to be feeding 7 other people like he has to. Also the dude shows up late all the time and the only reason he doesn't get fired is cuz the boss will feel bad for his kids. We constantly are all yelling at the dude to show up on time and always trying to help him out by sending some money his way. But I swear if this dude has one more kid i'm going to castrate him.

[@darinjohnson1725]

Truck drivers are in high demand and can easily make over 70k. Yes you can get good paying jobs without a college education. The problem is generations playing the system to get as much as they can for as little effort as they can put into it. Start teaching trades in school including truck driving. Keep people off drugs and have training programs to encourage breaking the cycle. Enabling the lazy is different than helping the poor.

[@carolinepowell2708]

While I agree that Ms. Green's point that a mental shift is necessary for breaking generational cycles, I think it shifts the focus from where the real issue is: that South Carolina legislators simply don't concern themselves with the wellbeing of the citizens of these impoverished areas. I was raised in a small, rural SC town about 45 minutes south of Florence and currently live in Columbia, SC. My family was upper middle class and therefore had the resources to make sure their children had the education and opportunities that the less-wealthy members of our community didn't have. My parents and their friends never talked about those living in poverty on "the wrong side of town." It was like they didn't exist. And later when I was working at the SC State House, that same invisibility occurred. It's a large portion of our population, but they never get taken into consideration when policy is made. Our legislatures don't say, "Hey, this is a real issue. What can we do to address it?" Unfortunately our politicians are not unique in the sense that they only incorporate policy that directly benefits them, their families, and their benefactors. It's what keeps them in power. And while this system is what's in place, I can't say I blame people for not having the internal motivation to get out of the boat. Get out of the boat, and what? Leave the only home they know? Leave their families behind? For a slim chance that they can beat the system that is still stacked against them unless they are able to reach a certain income threshold that suddenly makes them important to their leaders?

[@OurLadyLaLa]

I was born and raised in Charleston and I don’t think your points can be understated. The system is quite literally not built for people in poverty. A mindset change is good but you still need a certain amount of luck. It seems to me the more money you have the more lucky opportunities come your way.

[@1873Winchester]

Wealth redistribution!!!

[@Skylarking00]

Well put.

[@Erin-unsalted]

The blame the policitians have must be shared with those who vote for them that are suffering from the policies that hurt their communities. Start with motivating voters to get rid of the good ole boy governor and his cronies in Columbia and maybe there will be a change in the right direction.

[@mirrin55]

Spot-on recognition of the real problem here. I interned at the SC Democratic party during the governor's race after Haley left to join the U.N and it was apparent that not even the state-level party leaders were really engaged in what the people of the state actually needed. They were more concerned with getting elected and what that meant for themselves afterward than actual policy making and assisting those who needed help. The legislature needs to wake up and increase funding and support for teachers and outreach programs to get to these communities and take an active hand in helping to pull these people out of poverty and revitalize their communities.

[@dalepellerin]

Poverty often breeds poverty. I grew up in this environment, an impoverished family, some still do not have indoor plumbing. However, my father and my grandfather both instilled in me the importance of saving money and opportunities it provides. Packed up my old used car when I turned 18 and drove to Los Angeles. Loved everything about it and never looked back. So much of geospatial poverty are mindsets tied to geography.

[@chazdomingo475]

I mean you could have ended up homeless in LA, so the fear is understandable. But kudos to you for making it.

[@johnjones-yt8rt]

Mindsets tied to geography are associated with hardcore protestantism. The idea that life should be drudgery and if someone is poor then they should always be poor.

[@VVVVV99611]

Your story is a contradiction but okay?

[@dalepellerin]

@@VVVVV99611 exactly and that is my point. The contradiction to propensity of poverty breeding poverty in many geographies is the introduction of abnormal environmental stimuli (a/k/a ‘contradiction’). With constant trend bucking for the area motivations from a grandparent and a father that most of my family didn’t receive, I was propelled on a path to greater ‘societal success’ than other family who did not receive that stimulus. The contradiction you refer to is indeed I think the key to overcoming very strong geospatial influences growing up in the poorest county in one of the poorest states in the United States.

[@bennyhogan6326]

Thank you for unmasking poverty in America. You have a kind heart.

[@andrewhigdon8346]

He can see it wrong. He makes repeat assertions about small towns that seem quite a stretch. In several places he mentions that gangs and drugs have moved in and brought poverty. Whether or not those things bring poverty is like the chicken or the egg argument. But I will concede one observation. I live in Charleston, and I’ve had several friends from Greenwood who told me that the hardcore drug problem there was worse than in Charleston. I was surprised. But the reality was there. I don’t understand how a drug trade can flourish for long in a very poor town, but I do understand why they turn to drugs in those places; despair. But gangs don’t just move into a poor town to exploit it. They want money. There isn’t much money in these tiny towns. I think the gangs and drugs blame is really overstated. I also don’t think a lot of his comments are necessary. He’s essentially ridiculing the significantly less fortunate, assigning blame to people who may or may not at fault. A big blame here is healthcare, where chronic illness or an accident can take people from the middle class to the streets within a few years when some of these people have little to no support system. Some people are born into abusive homes and have to leave to survive. They get sick or hurt, often through no fault of their own, and bam, a $100,000 hospital bill, if they are lucky. And we all know that the system is set up to take advantage of the disadvantaged. Without a solid leg up, the poor will only get poorer. You owe some big sum, because maybe they were taken advantage of by a large corporation. The banks and utility companies rip the poor off all the time. When they know these people have a pattern of not being able to pay bills on time, they’re recognize rightly that these people are most likely poor, and always will be. And so when they make a “ mistake” and overcharge for utilities or services, these poor people have no recourse. They’ll often pay the bill to keep the lights on. Then they can’t pay rent on time. They get an eviction notice, now they are super stressed just to climb out of a hole they didn’t dig. Then one little thing goes wrong at that vulnerable time and yet another unforeseen expense derails them further. Before you know it, they are evicted, causing gross instability and often results in job loss as often their vehicle fails and they can’t afford to fix it, they can’t get to work on time, and get fired. See how it all compounds? Judge not.

[@manueltapia1859]

Man California surprised me!!! They think are rich but not so much. Nick Johnson doing a good work.

[@manueltapia1859]

@clot shots so Wikipedia needs to change a lot about information about this state. And yes I saw homeless in 2010 in Orange County!!!

[@manueltapia1859]

@@carbrained sometimes I still confuse because just checked few seconds ago and still says "Had California been an independent country in 2018 its gross domestic product (Nominal) would have been ranked fifth in the world". Where can I find that article You mentioned.

[@manueltapia1859]

@@carbrained thanks for explain me (not sarcasm, cause I am not good at finances). That explains a lot why it turned this way and now residents want to restore something as you mentioned has years.

[@phoebehill953]

The poverty in rural Arizona is also mind blowing. People with children live without running water or septic tanks.

[@severalwhitespaces]

I used to deliver pizza to folks with dirt floors in lower Clarkdale and Centerville. Worse than that on the res. I heard it's got more developed since I left.

[@JustinSeara]

Having driven across Arizona and New Mexico many times, it’s shocking to me as an north easterner

[@justins7796]

grossest place in AZ has nothing on any gas station in MS

[@user-yy2zz7wk1z]

What makes someone that poor even have kids. Like come on no wonder the poverty never ends. If they all stopped having kids in these areas then maybe the cycle could stop. It’s not the life any kid deserves. I don’t mean to be rude. I know it’s hard to get out of poverty I didn’t get a good job until I was 30. And couldn’t afford a car till then either. But I will never have kids because I know poverty is always knocking at my door. All it takes is one bad health problem or job loss and I wouldn’t be able to feed them anymore. I don’t want to make kids live through the hell of poverty so I just won’t have them. I’m stopping the cycle in my poor Canadian town so I’m not just hating on poor Americans. We have to stop having kids in poverty knowing they have very little chance to make it out. It’s selfish to have kids when poor just because your not thinking about the child. I just think we should have less kids, the world population doesn’t need to keep increasing but we have this concept that having kids is just a given and it’s what you do after school. You don’t have to have kids. And think about how much easier it is to get out of a crappy down without kids holding you back. If you have kids too young your chances of never getting out increase tenfold. Kids cost a lot of money, just like pets.

[@GD15555]

And they spend 700 bill on weapons.

[@dennisorawe835]

I live in Australia we have issues similar to this here. It seems to happen to mostly to areas that are further away from the seat of power. Out of sight out of mind

[@bitchmittens99]

I’m from a town like this is rural SC, a couple hours from Florence. It’s 1000% true about what he said about people being happy. I was blessed enough to grow up upper middle class but all my neighbors homes looked like these. I have traveled quite a lot but they people in SC are like no other. Even my French boyfriend agrees. Wouldn’t wanna be from anywhere else.

[@jgrysiak6566]

Then how do u explain all the crime in SC?

[@memk4749]

@@jgrysiak6566a tiny fraction of the population is responsible for the crime, just like anywhere else. The majority in SC are solid people

[@Thesaltymedic36]

The picture of the town in the 60’s was amazing. It’s sad to see how small town America is gone. Loss of the rail lines. Loss of manufacturing jobs. Loss of the family bond. Introducing drugs by the government. Poor education. Just sad.

[@NoamTheGOAT50]

@@Resmith18SR not only the cost of living, but also the rise of crime! And it is getting worse by the day!

[@michaeljohnson1576]

If that interests you, you should check out the 60's photos from many of the other small towns in SC. My Grandpa passed last year and when we were going through his things to move, we found a picture of him and my Grandma from the 60's in downtown Williamsburg. It looked SOOOOOOO different and vibrant but now, it's dilapidated and sad.

[@dudleymakeche7842]

Things we don't get to know about america.

[@krnpowr]

@@Resmith18SR All the wealth, intellectual prowess, and youthful energy is increasingly centered around about 2 dozen superstar cities in this country. That's why 3/4 of the country's GDP is generated in the blue counties that Biden won. The red trump counties are falling further behind and desperate. That's part of the reason why people in red counties were capable of succumbing to a career conman who filled them up with false hopes.

[@charlescummings1484]

All done by a small few, the globalists, henry kissinger, Clintons, NAFTA, trade deals, open borders, Elizabeth Iserby - "the deliberate dumbing down of America", allowing drug running into the US / facilitating it, antiquated education today, allowing useless people to remain in office who do nothing, loss of the 60s teams who FIX PROBLEMS, MOVEMENTS IN MILLIONS like the 60s. All of these reasons have contributed greatly to the problems in this county. Until we get the people blowing smoke out of office and start in a relentless manner to turn around this country, the suffering will continue and grow. You know what you can do. Like JFK said (one the last real presidents said) ask not what your country can do for you.

[@modat954]

The South sort of had a agricultural feudal system where wealth was concentrated to rich land owning families. Subsequently the system of slavery only benefited this demigraphic because it was expensive to own slaves. Therefore when it dismantled sharecropping was a reformation of the same economic system that did not distribute evenly to the entire economy and this hindered rural economic development for long-term. Combined with a lack of economic diversification outside if agriculture it hindered the rural south.

[@IronskullGM]

Its amazing how people ignore Sherman's march where the north marched through the south and burned the farms and plantations and stole all the wealth from southern cities prior to burning them down. Then all the slave owners moved to the North and West. Those Plantation owners you speak of are now the land owners out west using migrant workers. FYI, the last Confederate town to surrender was Town Line New York in the 1940s.

[@lilafeldman8630]

Yes, this is true. Historically, it was poor whites, and a few rich landowners. Not much different that feudal Europe in a way! After the civil war, they freed the slaves but everyone were sharecroppers.

[@PJ3061]

I live in Spartanburg SC. This video to me shows what I have seen in my own county. There's one thing to be without money. But lots of yards aren't being kept clean/neat. Trashes yards in my opinion shows a sign of laziness. Government handouts causes laziness. Most of these areas use to be mill villages, we are no longer manufacturing products like back when I was a teenager. I'm 60 years of age now.

[@adamfreeman218]

I think one of the major problems with welfare is that there is a hard line where you will get cut off from any help. I used to work with special needs clients and there were many situations were they weren't able to get a job even though they really wanted to improve themselves and start a career, but if they did they would lose welfare that helped pay for their prescriptions. Those who were able to find a job would be restricted to limited hours, most times less then 20 hours per week, otherwise they would lose most of the assistance they received, but even if they switched to working full time (which clients couldn't) they still would not make enough to cover basic expenses. I agree a lot of people in poverty need a mindset change and that work comes from within but I think we as a society need to give them the resources to make that change possible and help them transition out of poverty. I don't know the answers but I think a sliding scale system of welfare would work much better than the system we have now.

[@wientz]

I remember diving through Florence and seeing the poverty, but sure saw a lot of people in vehicles waving hello when meeting on the road. Have to say it was a pleasure to see.

[@jgrysiak6566]

I didn't think people in Darlington were very friendly, it was a downtrodden place to me.

[@Ricky-oi3wv]

What a nice lady, the truely awful thing about these communities is the people so often are pure gold.

[@brittaolson6550]

Absolutely. You can work hard all your life in some areas and still not get anywhere.

[@Lifetalk849]

Actually, there are a lot of small towns that still have a lot of "pure gold people."... those people are one of the biggest reasons why there are so many truly AWESOME small towns left in the US.

[@yourlogicalnightmare1014]

The flaming queen narrating this video makes it unwatchable

[@ashleygeorge6267]

@@yourlogicalnightmare1014 oh please 😒

[@mizdink]

I must point out that a degree is not the only option to improve one's life. Vocational diplomas are a wonderful tool, and I got my LPN at a nursing program at a vocational school in a little corner of South Carolina and I was in my 30s. It has been a blessing.

[@agricolaregs]

Yeah. Welding and plumbing are great career to get into.

[@jeffprice4376]

Moved my family to a rural city in Georgia, not far from my hometown several years back. The housing was cheap, we bought and renovated a 1920s mill house for $25,000. There was incredibly high poverty, high crime, the police department closed at 5pm everyday, heard more gunshots in my neighborhood there than I did in my entire 25 years of living in Atlanta and that was with me living one block from the police department. Very few jobs available, mostly walmart and fast food paying next to nothing. New companies would try to come to town and would always be blocked by the citys republican leadership. The film industry was filming in several surrounding towns while I lived there and the city repeatedly turned down their interest in filming, they wanted nothing to do with it despite how much money it would bring to local businesses. The manufacturing jobs which had once made this rural city one of the wealthiest spots in Georgia had long since left leaving reminders behind like large ruined factories and a mountain of decades worth of disposed tires just above the Flint river which the city cannot afford to clean up. It's said that if they ever catch fire, they'll likely burn for century and the runoff will go straight into the Flint river. The town is run by people whose families have been in power for generations and they'd rather see themselves as kings sitting on a mountain of shit than risk letting other bring jobs and advancements to the area and risk someone else having any kind of influence. The place will never return to it's heyday and the residents will fight tooth and nail to ensure that no progress is made. They seem to have grown comfortable living in poverty and being decades behind the rest of the US, they're unwilling to leave their comfort zone in the pursuit of any kind of progress. Sold that house after six years and will never move back to a small rural town.

[@zardozmania]

Wow...what a story....the human egos/power trips people have going on on this planet is mind boggling to me.

[@bighermstick7994]

Can I ask what type of place you live in now? Was it a halfway decent stepping stone to a better place if you had a plan?

[@jeffprice4376]

@@bighermstick7994 Moved to Athens Georgia. It isn't a big city like Atlanta, but it's big enough to have everything I need and want and small enough to still have a bit of a small town feel. I would say for most people, the small town would not be a stepping stone. A lot of people get in areas like that and the lack of good paying jobs and opportunity can act as a trap. My wife and I got lucky as she was able to land a six figure career which required us to move several hours away from the small town we were living in. So we were able to sell the house there at a loss just to get rid of it quick and we didn't lose any sleep over it. That massive career jump was a lot of hard work and a lot of luck so I'd say it wouldn't work out that way for the vast majority of people.

[@bighermstick7994]

@@jeffprice4376 Thank you for your response and insight.

[@debrak3594]

Amazing story--I have to hear something like this first hand to believe it--how sad. Thanks for taking the time to put your valuable insight in these comments xo

[@darrellsadler2848]

Some of my fondest memories of living in the South as a child in the 1970's and early to mid 1980's include seeing washed laundry out to dry on clotheslines in the backyards.

[@darrellsadler2848]

@@drewhendley Now tell me something I don't know.

[@alexcarter8807]

Since when is laundry lines full of washing some kind of awful thing? That's how we always dried our clothes when I was growing up once we became poor and it works fine. I moved back there in '03 and nothing's changed, wash the clothes, hang 'em up, no problem. I was not able to make it, living back there so I left again to work some more years but I'm looking at retiring in a couple of years and will go back there for keeps.

[@grotemuis4889]

I can afford a dryer but choose not to. After the last one broke down I hang it outside, winter and summer 🌞⛄ Dryers are expensive to run.

[@sarahsimpkins1311]

I didn't live in the south in the 80s I lived in the Midwest we use to hang our out clothes outside to dry

[@Keksdich]

In the USA, IS IT considered a Bad Thing , hanging Your washed clothes Out to dry ? I don't understand. In my country it's a good Thing ..🤔

[@pabloguerra3028]

I lived in Lovely South Carolina for over 5 years in the Upstate area. Wonderful state, great people, wonderful southern hospitality. But the development in the state is uneven. I was fortunate to live in Greenville County. Where there was a good economy, plenty of industries, amenities etc etc. A whole different world than many parts of the state that live in a different time all together. Many rural counties are full of backroads and are very undeveloped. Which was a world apart from where I lived. Even being low income in South Carolina having a home is much different than being low income in a higher income state where people rent huge amounts of money for housing. Its true, in many of this humble areas, people always have a smile, they are the friendliest people you will meet. They carry customs and traditions that are lost in many parts of the US. Despite their odds there is a sense of pride of their community. Any development in those low income areas would be greatly appreciated. People in South Carolina are hard working, just believe that hopefully all areas should have better living conditions. As life in one part of the state is a world apart for the other. Its a small state, but the living conditions from one area to the other. Is a world apart. I love South Carolina and will always cherish it as my second home.

[@lydiasinspirationalgourmet2303]

Thanks for supporting my new book Get Out the Boat at Wanda Green Enterprises LLC com

[@vivianpowell1732]

Did you mention the excellent public school system in Greenville SC? Good public schools are an important factor in attracting businesses and professionals to an area. I taught in a large public high school in Greenville in the 1970s, a time when huge European corporations like Bi-Lo, Michelin, and BMW were moving to Greenville County SC. Parents who could have afforded to send their children to private schools didn't, because they were pleased with what the public schools offered. That school district still remains strong.

[@garrettdowdy]

Sadly, I lived in the house shown @ 5:33 to the left. Great people but it's important that you leave if you want a decent quality of life. Mrs Wanda was great. Thank you for reminding me of how blessed I am

[@marioromero82]

My family and I moved from Sacramento, CA to McColl, SC. We love this town and have high hopes to do our part and help better the town. This video helped me understand more about the past and history of the area, and it's definitely motivating to know people out there care. I will have to read Ms. Green's book.

[@ankhpom9296]

From Sac to McColl must have been a very big change.

[@LawrenzoJacobs]

I have Family in Hartsville, SC and mindset is the #1 issue. I broke the cycle by asking questions and Not listening to the "poor" mentality thinking of relatives. The best advice unsuccessful people can provide is what Not to do. Success leaves clues. Now that I live in Orlando, Florida, doing better than an entire generation, the disconnect is real and sad.

[@Donotevengotherewithme]

Wanda is so inspiring. She's 100% correct. It's a state of mind and if you work hard enough, you can escape the cycle. ❤

[@JP-uk9uc]

Ya, but getting paid crap for wages by corporate monopolies doesn't go very far.

[@TruWzrdTexas]

Thank LBJ for taking the father out of the house.

[@chairmanlmao4482]

Lmfao this "if you work hard enough" mindset is why America is so shit today. Instead of just fucking helping the downtrodden instead you got this garbage work grind mindset, like if you're not spending every waking moment at work then you're not really working type shit. Capitalism is a fucking death cult

[@frankbray9416]

Wanda is a great person, so knowledgable about the people who live in these depressed areas and can really see the bigger picture. . What she said about not doing anything different because that's the way it's always been living on food stamps etc. and how scary it can be to change is so true. I'm Canadian, and when I left my day job at Sears Canada in 2009 to make the leap to self-employment, I told my co-workers this: Your ship is not coming in, it's anchored offshore and you have to swim out to it. Sadly, most didn't take my words to heart and when Sears Can. went bankrupt in 2017 most were left up the creek without a paddle. In this world you have to make your own opportunities where you can, if you rely soley on gov't handouts to float your boat, sadly you won't have much of a life.

[@grittychops6755]

Only someone from the middle class would believe such a lie, at that level of poverty, it’s who’s craftiest escapes.

[@lawrencebritt270]

I was born in Georgetown SC in 1981 and grew up in dirty Myrtle Beach. They have been planning on expanding Georgetown memorial hospital since 1981. So far they have added an employee parking lot.

[@J.W.Brogan]

Absolutely mind blowing how everyone in the comments section somehow escaped inescapable poverty by taking care of their 5 siblings and alcoholic parents AND putting themselves through college while working nights for free at the local sawmill and it only took them 87 years.

[@jonredcorn862]

It's the internet bro 90% of the stuff you read is made up.

[@mynamejeff3545]

And they all seem to use the fact they're now lower middle class instead of dirt poor to look down on the people who couldn't beat the odds, and shit on the welfare programs that help alleviate intergenerational poverty and give people a leg up to improve their life as "rewarding laziness". Funny how "If I can do it, so can you" often translates to "screw you if you can't do it".

[@kharrdyharhar]

I grew up in dillon. Left within 10 days of high school graduation. I've only visited since. I remember collecting pennies as a kid to support the library. I've been begging my dad to leave for years. He's finally retired so wish me luck.

[@rajanranjitmistry]

That’s a tough sell, but wish you and your dad the best in getting something figured out.

[@greyeaglem]

People act like the only kind of education that helps is college. They never talk about trade schools. There are shortages in all aspects of the trades now. HVAC techs, machinists, plumbers electricians, welders, truck drivers, lab techs etc. are all needed right now. For people in this type of area, trade schools are I think more suited to them. The assistance she talked about for small towns should include setting up trade schools for these areas.

[@Donotevengotherewithme]

Yes and they pay well without the HIGH cost of college. I know. I have one college degree with "the debt" and one community college diploma "without the debt". Make waaaaay more with my diploma than my degree.

[@Jazzykatt23]

@@Lildizzle420 They have a right to throw those fits.

[@malcorub]

Truck drivers (my dad was a long haul driver) will be automated one day, the rest still have plenty of opportunity.

[@aerrae5608]

Shit as long as you finish High School or get a GED you can find something if you look hard enough.

[@W81Researcher]

@@aerrae5608 a high school diploma or GED gets you a fast food job now. Let that sink in. Let this sink in, privilege hates the sheep.

[@zach4604]

I think the lingering effects of sharecropping are a key driver of southern poverty. It allowed very little potential for creation of wealth and a vast number of both white and black families down here had no choice but to do it until relatively recently. I’m 22 and both of my dad’s parents were sharecroppers until the late 40’s

[@Andrew-sv3ck]

I don’t think people realize that Lincoln waving his magic wand and “stopping slavery” didn’t change anything whatsoever. Furthermore the burning, raping, and pillaging of the south by Sherman only worsened things. Northern push for globalization completely destroyed the American South.

[@jakemarszewski8684]

@james madd dude in the video mentioned Sherman’s March as a reason for the poverty and you still think that sharecropping doesn’t contribute to it? You’re delusional.

[@silentstorm718]

@@jakemarszewski8684 How did you connect Sherman's march with sharecropping?

[@mynamejeff3545]

​@james madd As Zach said, sharecropping was two generations ago, for some people only one. Are you illiterate or do you just not WANT to read?

[@hithere5553]

@@silentstorm718 Sherman’s March was all the way back in 1864. Sharecropping didn’t end until the mechanization of agriculture in the 1940’s.

[@pauljonessoftware]

I'm from rural South Carolina, Nick, so I know all about this topic. This lady is speaking the gospel truth. Kudos to you for covering this subject. It's needed and much appreciated.

[@catholiccrusader5328]

Nick you just got to have Ms. Green back on your program; she hit the nail on the head. Poverty isn't irreversible. When I was a kid we were on welfare but once all three of us graduated from high school Mom + GOD rest her soul + went to the welfare office and promptly took our entire family off ADC. Now we're all university educated and well paid professionals! Ms. Green and Mom have a lot of things in common. Well done Nick.

[@jesusislord6545]

Repent to Jesus Christ “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” ‭‭John‬ ‭1:29‬ ‭NIV‬‬ J

[@jamesschultz8222]

@@jesusislord6545 @thoughts and prayers” are just a bad excuse to do nothing

[@isay207]

Grow your own food clean up after yourself

[@tobythompson199x]

That's such a ridiculous way of looking at these things.

[@quasipseudo1]

Great interview. The question may be: "how do you change someone's mind.... or can you?". Ms. Wanda is an inspiration!

[@davewhite9303]

It's sad to see death of small communities

[@lydiasinspirationalgourmet2303]

Thank you. Get my full story at Wanda Green Enterprises LLC. Com. God bless

[@biggimmicke]

I appreciate the ideas put forward here but it is incredibly unfair to lay the poverty problem on the feet of the people actively dealing with it. Their situation was largely caused by govt corruption, removal of jobs, and piss poor govt funding. If you give a school in SC extra money, they *will* spend it on football rather than their education, I know as I've seen it happen in no less than 4 of the 5 schools I've worked with.

[@MagicalIsadore]

No lies detected. Thank you.

[@ZodiacEntertainment2]

This was my takeaway as well. Yes, individuals can and should try to do the best with the cards they are dealt but we cannot ignore the systemic factors at play here. This "Work hard and you can have the American dream" cope is the reason why so much of our economic policy has gone without reform for so long.

[@LolaLink]

I remember when the schools wouldn't take the stimulus from the Obama administration during the '08 recession. Even though our teachers are paid less than living wage, our classes had 40 students (unless you were in AP/IB, then two kinda related classes were combined into one class period), and plenty of students were in poverty. But because of PoLiTiCs they wouldn't take the money. Even if the state government disagreed, they would rather make a statement than help the school system that was already struggling pre-recession. It broke my heart then, and I couldn't believe it. Now... I'm older, so my heart still breaks, but I'm no longer surprised. Uneducated citizens are easily manipulated so you can do what you like with their tax dollars. And you are not wrong about football team funding. My school made it to the first round of playoffs. Once. In the six years I was paying attention to it. They got brand new uniforms, a new stadium, new lights, priority on the field, a new coach (with a new high salary), for what? Classes remaining underfunded and us losing half our games anyway? I appreciate your tenacity in teaching though. That was my original career goal until I got discouraged between pay and school shootings. I hope more students get teachers like you who care.

[@debrak3594]

@@LolaLink I'm sorry--my heart breaks too. xo

[@Thehappy_]

😂dude I LOVE THIS CHICK!! She’s so genuine and optimistic. Just beautiful, I am so glad that I found your channel ❤

[@amyno5688]

Remote work is the best!!! I'm thinking about moving to a more rural place now that I have the freedom.

[@conservativehippie9736]

I'm considering closing my business of 25 yrs and work remotely...like you move to a more rural area and for me a different state

[@apacheking9776]

It is not necessary to move to some backwards, uneducated state in order to work remotely.

[@apacheking9776]

@@Lildizzle420 Why don't their GOP elected leaders do something about that! Answer--They don't have to. They'll still get their votes no matter what.

[@lashlarue59]

Be careful. As Nick has shown in some of these videos a lot of these rural small town are horrible in terms of criminal activity. You as someone who has money walks into one of those towns with 50% unemployment, nice car, pays cash for house, spends money on it will stick out like a sore thumb. That is big target.

[@NickJohnson]

Tiny Towns 2.0

[@ericbecker3840]

Miss Wanda rocks! Love that lady!!!

[@NickJohnson]

Me too

[@daisyprosser66]

Ms. Wanda Green for President! I bought your book and look forward to reading it.

[@lydiasinspirationalgourmet2303]

Thanks for your support

[@susanarsoniadou3588]

The South needs more people like Miss Wanda...

[@emmettobrian1874]

This isn't that different from where I live. One big factor in this deterioration is, strangely enough, refrigeration. You needed to process food from farms in places like canneries locally. That's until you have refrigerator trucks that can transport food to regional processing centers. That's just one element. It's obviously not related to Sherman's march since you showed that the area was reasonably prosperous in the 50s-60s. South Carolina looks worse than here, probably because taxes for infrastructure improvements are very low. Good for rich people, problematic for poor. The minimum wage is also higher here so the lowest one person working full time can make is twice the figure you stated. The funny thing is, even though that burger flipper is making half the money, my Whopper costs exactly the same as yours so don't tell me a higher minimum wage is bad. It comes down to business will make as much money as they can get away with and they hoard money away from areas like you're showing. The idea that people should pull themselves up by their bootstraps stops making sense when you see the giant hand that's pushing them down. Some people slip between the fingers. Most don't

[@frankrosenbloom]

Oh, and Wanda is a true American treasure. We need people like Wanda running for office.

[@NickJohnson]

I know

[@RedOctober2011]

Rural crime and small town crime and drugs are way more rampant than in the middle class neighborhoods of the city. Small towns being "safer" is a myth.

[@TheRagingPlatypus]

One time I was going to Myrtle Beach and had a flat. Put on the spare and went to Sears to get my tire repaired or replaced. The work was done and I didn't even make it out of the parking lot. They had forgotten to put the lug nuts on and the wheel fell off my car!

[@debrak3594]

It's funny! Sorry...

[@nancydrew1882]

Ms Wanda is right! We need to break the cycle. I grew up in poverty and I started doing things differently from I was seeing around me with great results!

[@lydiasinspirationalgourmet2303]

Aww thank you. Please support my new book Get Out the Boat at Wanda Green Enterprises LLC com

[@isay207]

Grow a garden

[@tobythompson199x]

Ridiculous way to look at things.

[@WendyRandall]

Great interview and perspective. I’m originally from Welcome, NC . Now reside in Northern Alabama. I’ve traveled through all these places mentioned in your video while traveling back roads to Myrtle Beach . I remember the first tornados damage I ever saw was while traveling through Bennetsville, SC. It was devastated. That must have been 30 yrs ago. Our church later sent supply’s there. I’ve gotten a couple of spending tickets in Dillion 😯. We need more people like Ms Green. I love small communities and hope these that you’ve mentioned can bounce back. If we had more folks in charge, making decisions , an influencing people like Ms Green this world would be a better place. ❤️ Thank you for telling your story of hope, prosperity, hard work and making the best of a not so great situation!

[@sonnygirl8358]

I'm not sure how long you've been away from Welcome but its a super busy place now. Businesses everywhere until you get out onto 52 over a mile. I 'm over on the hwy 150 side at Hickory Tree Rd and it's getting so crowded with businesses and new homes I'm considering moving lol.. It was never quiet where I am but this is unbelievable. I hope you're enjoying life in Alabama.

[@astrahcat1212]

Are you in Huntsville? Nice area.

[@michaelyork7844]

@@sonnygirl8358 yes to many people in this world and these fn developers destroying everything.

[@sonnygirl8358]

@@michaelyork7844 The county has to be voting to make these one time residential lands over to commercial. So of course developers will develop it.. We vote for our county commissioners and I know I need to vet mine more closely and ask a lot more questions before giving them my vote. It starts so much further UP than the developers that I'm not sure what efforts would be required to stop it... I'm willing to listen to any ideas , if you have some to offer.. Have a great day~!!

[@WendyRandall]

@@sonnygirl8358 I visit my family there once , sometimes twice a month. Just got back home from a quick visit. I’ve been in Bama 11 yrs now, although I’d always said I’d never leave NC. I had an offer I couldn’t turn down (marriage 😍). Welcome is still fairly low-key but yes EVERYTHING is changing. My daughter bought a house on W. Center Street ext. a couple years back, they had a nice wooded area behind their house (they don’t own) , it’s been sold, cleared and one of those mega neighborhoods going in almost in their back yard. I do see the changes creeping in on NC, some I see as good, some not so much …. like Asheville 😔. I spend a lot of time in Winston on my visits and I really enjoy it there and it’s one of the most improved cities I’ve seen. I think they are putting a lot of money and resources into it. Before the Plandemic I traveled extensively and I can still say that “I love calling NC home”, it’s still my favorite state and Winston one of my favorite cities in the US. I really hope things don’t change too much but that’s probably “wishful thinking”. Be grateful you life were you do, that’s an awesome area and enjoy it as much as you can now ….. who knows what the future brings to our beloved small”er” towns!

[@elijahb.3028]

Grew up in Cheraw, SC, but I'm originally from California. While there is a lot of charm in these small towns, the overwhelming feeling I get is folks do not want to change and prefer it that way. I was able to take the good and bad from my time in Cheraw, SC and California and made something of myself. Earned multiple degrees, became a presidential fellow, and am now doing quite well. A lot of what's missing is ambition and purpose. I didn't have much but my parents instilled me at an early age that opportunities were limitless and that I could become someone. Their confidence in me continues to be my North Star. Dream big. And always swing for the fences. Where you come from is one variable among many that shapes who you are and where you can go. Do right, have faith, never give up, and have a vision of what you want your life to be and pursue it relentlessly despite the naysayers and obstacles you'll encounter along the way.

[@Norm475]

You don't need a college degree to escape poverty. Move out of these dying towns, don't get pregnant or get your woman pregnant, don't take drugs, and finish high school. I grew up in poverty in the UP of Michigan. The first thing you have to do is get out of the dying towns, learn a skilled trade, and be willing to work.

[@adammiller2246]

Miss Wanda, I enjoyed watching you on this video. You are a Kind, smart, person. May God bless you.

[@NickJohnson]

Get out of the boat!

[@freemefreeme8301]

Thank you precious lady.

[@indycharlie]

Should not be a surprise for anybody , that this lady has done so well .

[@edwhitson9873]

I lived in north Myrtle Beach SC for 14years. If you go 15miles inland in any direction, looks exactly like this

[@manueltapia1859]

Nick Johnson we need people like Wanda, she really knows what it takes to do something with your life in a positive way.

[@NickJohnson]

She's super Manuel!

[@debschieve3468]

I loved hearing Wanda Green speak. What an inspiring woman she is! She is just wonderful.

[@michaelmcmillan1425]

Actually it's quite SAD!!! She's been "Broken Down" Mentally!!! She should've left the state a Long time ago. (Before she had ALL of those kids) She's saying the right things, but she's not acting out on it!!! I grew up in S.C. as well. Difference is that I got the Hell outta there! And don't have Any kids! Why the Hell is she still living there???

[@paulolden4337]

Wanda Green is a Super Star. Thanks for sharing her insights and wisdom!

[@NickJohnson]

Tell her Paul!

[@nicolen.9642]

Thanks for your insightful videos. Wanda Green is a great woman, she's spot on about mindset. Very complex process to get out of poverty.

[@got2kittys]

Country life has always seemed like abject poverty to city dwellers. Influences from outside the area often make it worse. I bet that these counties have a few nice big Walmarts, that drove a 1000 businesses to close, while selling cheap asian workers products. .

[@mirai8685]

It is pretty hilarious. You either work 80 hour weeks as an industry elite to be able to rent a doghouse in Sanfran, or you have an actual house, but no work to do.

[@jborrego2406]

Yes all that would do is kick out everybody that lives in a town because they wouldn’t be able to afford it anymore

[@Michael-du2fv]

Walmart is a predatory business, it didn't create the poverty, the poverty has been ongoing longer then Walmart has been around, Walmart just takes advantage of it. I grew up in the rural country and no country living does not equal poverty, poverty is poverty doesn't matter if its rural country, minority ghetto or southern ghost town. No businesses are going to setup roots in these places because the population is uneducated, and the population is uneducated because of local state governments cutting education funding and refusing to invest in education, because a dumb population is more likely to vote Republican and keep them in power.

[@imogenbespokesewing2968]

Nick this one of your best episodes ever . Wanda is amazing and I really want to get the book . I'm from UK but I'm fascinated by real USA and I've loved all your insights into the different places. Love to Mappy x

[@NickJohnson]

Mappy says HI and buy Mrs. Green's book!!

[@emily0071000]

@@leej1759 since the UK is so much smaller geographically, the vast majority of the population live in urban/suburban areas so rural poverty & small town poverty like you have in the US is not common. There’s still poverty in the UK obviously but it doesn’t usually look anything like this, which I think is why some British people find this really interesting

[@henrybyrd5402]

@@leej1759 The only place I know of in the UK that could compare is a place called Jaywick Sands in Essex which is a tiny beachfront town in an otherwise fairly affluent County. The difference being that it adjoins a fairly decent town. A lot of what Ms Green says applies here. People actually move here for the cheap rental. There are several KZbin videos on Jaywick which is classed as the most deprived area in the UK.

[@marypeterson1053]

Thank you Ms Wanda.

[@ivanovichmerel]

As Mexicano Immigrant who moved from Calizuela(California) and has 1 year living in Greenville County.....I'm feel so blessed to be here in the South.....is a better life and the people is so nice....obviously have problems like any state, County, city or town in this beautiful Country.....God Bless America....🙏

[@theresekirkpatrick3337]

Thx ms green I agree i grew up in the projects in Maine so I joined the army and traveled to create my destiny. Lived in Texas and now northern Arizona. God bless those who help themselves. God bless America we sure need him now.

[@dwaynebrock1312]

I've lived in Cheraw SC my whole life. Which is about 15 minutes away from Bennettsville. In the early 2000s a lot of plants started closing down and moving overseas. The part about breaking cycles is right. Recently there has been companies try to move to this area but now there's a whole generation that grew up on government assistance and they start a job and only work for a week before they quit because it's easier to stay on government assistance. They will literally tell you they quit just so they can get back on it.

[@michaelmcmillan1425]

Do you still live there??? And if so, why???

[@chrisp4190]

How can you "quit a job" and still qualify for government benefits? If thats accurate then the system is majorly broken.

[@gringocolombian9919]

@@michaelmcmillan1425 I’m in Hartsville, it sucks :/

[@michaelmcmillan1425]

@@gringocolombian9919 I feel your Pain Bro! Try to stay STRONG.

[@michaelmcmillan1425]

@@gringocolombian9919 The ONLY people who like living there there are OLDER Baby Boomers from up North. (Because of the Cheap cost of Living) And the Local retirees. Who were just TOO AFRAID to live in other parts of the country. (My OWN Father being one of them) SMH.

[@y_zass]

I really needed to hear this. God bless Ms Wanda

[@undeadsheep4961]

I’ve driven past that part of the state; it’s sad seeing the decrepit buildings and failing infrastructure. Seems like a depressing place to live with no real chance of changing anytime soon.

[@danielbarbee6606]

This is a challenge in many areas. Transportation is key. We need to teach economics in school every year. Keeping ourselves focused is important.

[@robhill9989]

Finally someone exposing the dilapidated state of our rural communities. I’m directly on the border in NC/SC and I see communities like these everywhere. It’s confounding how different this country can be. I guess that’s what makes up great, but this don’t feel great.

[@jgrysiak6566]

Is South Carolina poorer than North Carolina?

[@VVVVV99611]

@@jgrysiak6566 Yes.

[@sveronih5376]

Such a neat lady! Glad she was able to give us her insight

[@MDAdams72668]

I live in rural NC and I can tell you part of the problem is that (until the last year or so) it often cost more to work than it did to stay home(transport and meals) Even now single mothers with section 8, WIC, Medicare, and welfare are better of than the same woman working for $50,000/year AND they can raise their children The problem isn't that welfare is to generous it is that wages have been depressed since the early 1980s

[@agricolaregs]

Long before than that. But I’d also say the destructive feminism in the 60s-present have created a system in which working class and poor women have few options. Mothers shouldn’t have to work. And I’m not saying it was all destructive. But much of what women in this wave pushed was.

[@MDAdams72668]

As I stated the problem(s) have been around far more than 1 yr. However, in the past year you can find jobs that pay more than it costs to get to them People were and still are paying to work (instead of being paid)@@agricolaregs

[@7Things...]

Not sure if you know it ,but Mrs. Darla Moore one of the richest women in the country is from Lake City, South Carolina which is in Florence County. She has returned home and has helped with bringing jobs and tourism back to the town by investing in the area. If more people went back and invested in the towns they are from then things would improve.

[@NickJohnson]

Huh!

[@keonnademyra]

I didn’t know she was from Lake City. I heard about her when she had an issue with USC.

[@Jazzykatt23]

Regular jobs are disappearing each and every day. Manufacturing is all overseas and we are now producing less than ever. These people have no hope for a decent job.

[@sweetteagrits3822]

I’m FROM FLORENCE lol. It is NOT any different Yankee boy than the wealthy vs. not up in Chicago! They are not called that omfg grab a clue! Southern Democrats…plz don’t give me my own history fugggggg. Sherman didn’t cause that lol. He did burn everything leaving Savannah as a gift. Manufacturing and hosiery mills went to China doof it started the shit. My folks lost their jobs BUT my Dad started his own!! Plz Yankee go back! How do you know how it’s been? Bless your heart…🙄. Go to Ohio, Philly n Detroit again…

[@nathanielovaughn2145]

As long as they stay in the boat, you're right.

[@seanarmstrong6971]

You’re not lying. Absolutely nothing new comes to the rural areas but gas stations or something that already exists a few miles away.

[@willasage23240]

I appreciate all the hard work that you put into these videos!

[@tyronetb3]

I Loved the conversation with Wanda! I agree with her, 100%. Gotta get the book, Get Out of the Boat.

[@reginaldfagan120]

Nick, I've been listening you off and on over the past years. I appreciate the fact that your message is evolving. It's not productive to get caught up in partisan politics. We as Americans need to come together! It doesn't matter what party you belong to. What matters is our country is in need of collaboration! We must seek common ground! We are all Americans!

[@TSL73]

Partisan politics is going to be the death nail for this country. All it does is divide us from fixing the main issues we have and only serves to better those who are involved in it.

[@Erintii]

I am not American but wish all the best to the US as I don't want anyone to set cultural and political standards for the rest of the world.

[@sbmedeiros11]

I am 6 minutes in.. looking at the houses, shops,etc.. but also noticed the cars. They all look pretty nice.

[@PlayerJay425]

There’s a laundry list of things that cause this. Some were things that were inevitable like companies moving to cheaper labor sources, while others were wholeheartedly avoidable like the state routinely being sub 45th in education. Marinate that in virtually 150 years of conservative leadership and good ole boy politics and you get a place that’s somehow closer to 1880 than 2000.

[@PositiveLeigh]

In spite of being poor, I bet that town has some of the nicest, down to earth people and some of the best moonshine. 😋

[@mgtowflight]

I graduated from Marlboro County High School in 2003. I'm so glad i left.

[@dbsuperfanboy1315]

Went through a toll in South Carolina that was still exact quarter change only. That last time I saw a toll that old was the 80s. It was a interstate toll.

[@dbsuperfanboy1315]

@@nickgironda8932 I'm from south eastern KY and everytime I go to South Carolina my IQ goes up by 15 points.

[@alk3078]

@@dbsuperfanboy1315 So, your IQ goes all the way up to 16. 👍

[@resa1673]

Yeah they have tolls near Greenville SC

[@10000jims]

@@nickgironda8932 There is one private toll rd that I can think of in SC, I-185 Southern Connector in Greenville.

[@deneilwilliams4380]

Much respect to you Wanda Green keep doing Big Things. Also to you Nick Johnson for this great video.

[@onefastr6]

My Mom lived in Bennetsville for a while. What a dump. Everything that wasn’t bolted down got stolen from her.

[@ICEIZSENE]

Thank u for 4 sharing Ms Wanda with us ...her person views an intake also experience goes along way with helping to understand a poverty mindset..

[@lydiasinspirationalgourmet2303]

Thanks for ordering my new book Get Out the Boat at Wanda Green Enterprises LLC com

[@maryrenaud6732]

I lived in Greenville, SC for a year in 2016 to 2017. I and my husband drove around the north part of the state we were surprised at how bad some areas looked. Also, we were shocked that because we had no school age children, we did not owe or pay any taxes for the public schools. This means that young families pay the highest property taxes. None of the other states where I have lived did this (California, Massachusetts, Florida). I can see exempting people over age 65, but it looked like the SC schools were desperately in need of money and while the state is booming in many areas due to an influx from the north, it will be hard to maintain competitiveness with other states if educational attainment stays very low. It is also a shame for the people and their children.

[@marknc9616]

In NC, state income taxes pay for the public school employee salaries. Property taxes go to the county governments which pay for the school buildings.

[@mssha1980]

Greenville is nice but the schools is why I don’t want to live there

[@drdavinsky]

The real privilege is economic. Not “White” privilege. I’m a sociologist who address this on my channel.

[@violetedge1017]

Your ignorance is what is a shame. You speak on something you know nothing about. I grew up in Greenville county schools as did my children. We are are very successful as were many of my school mates.

[@Erin-unsalted]

@@violetedge1017 Meh, I lived in Greenville on Main St and I never met any person who graduated from any school in the county there, even Riverside, who could articulate anything other than their Chick Fil A order.

[@meatbyproducts]

We could bring back manufacturering to places like this. That does a few things 1: jobs 2:saves on shipping 3: hurts China

[@thesilverlining1237]

I’m from SC. It’s a beautiful state for the most part. And it’s truly painful to see how all of these people have been left behind in the rut.

[@VVVVV99611]

Its not beautiful.

[@mr_inventor1015]

I moved to South Carolina from California a few months ago, best decision of my life.

[@SnozBerryQueen]

Lol im in Sc from socal as well. Im definitely enjoying myself.

[@buckseedamerica2743]

Welcome to the Slave State of Hate. That place is a dump and three steps back in life! 30% poverty is normal for those Red State goons. Let’s Go, BoneSpurs!

[@2Qwik91]

As someone who was born and raised in South Carolina, this video hits hard. Ms. Wanda Green is so inspiring.

[@lydiasinspirationalgourmet2303]

Aww thanks for supporting my new book Get Out the Boat at Wanda Green Enterprises LLC com

[@blessingjohnchelliah4317]

What have senators Lindsey Gaham and Tim Scott done for their constituents?

[@devinspinney8257]

Thank you Nick Green, for being a vessel to shed light on the overlooked real challenges in our Nation, as well as women like Wanda Green.

[@haroldgrabert7530]

She was awesome. Great attitude, great human being. Love your videos Nick!

[@NickJohnson]

Wanda is my homie!

[@stephaniepersin4145]

In 1988,I went to see my brother in Ft. Benning, GA for U.S. Army basic training visitation. We took a drive to Phenix City, AL and I’ve never seen poverty like this in my life. Clothes on lines and the houses were shacks. Even now, I never forgot it.

[@JK-gu3tl]

Phenix was notorious back in the day.

[@talldude5841]

Your best interview yet Nick. Wanda Green is such an inspiration. We need more like her to help this mess our country is in.

[@D70340]

People will never work or better themselves when they continue to get free handouts. They get paid to keep voting for the handouts. American Pride, no longer applies.

[@sheilaabrahams1322]

Sometimes when you try to "get out" the rest of the family views it as either being ungrateful or thinking you are better than everyone else.

[@KristinaKarina]

Best of wishes! I think both of you are affecting positive change.

[@mowerdan8133]

I worked in the Pee Dee region for many years. I met & became friends with so many wonderful people. I feel for those folks. We moved down from NJ and lived in the Myrtle Beach/Conway area. There was a heyday of manufacturing in the rural areas along I-95 in the '80s/'90s, but most of those companies moved to cities like Greenville, SC or just left SC completely.

[@edwinsalau150]

This old retired Newark,New Jersey Police Lieutenant is very happy to have watched your interview with Miss Wanda! Hoping people put this viral. Having spent many years stationed in the Carolinas while in the USMC I’m familiar with the area. Northerners passing through probably think the area is quaint. It isn’t! It is hardscrabble poor! It is much like a Projects in northern cities! The residents see or hear from politicians every election cycle! Then they are forgotten except for their tax money! If they have any? Where does that go?

[@jgrysiak6566]

If a politician donates money to rebuild a church that was burned down or something, then the people will vote for them even if he's a republican. Money gets votes!

[@ultimatedab743]

High quality stuff and very amazing guest on the show. Thanks for the great work and God bless 🙏