Poverty Trap
008 Poverty Trap
“Let ’em kill me, let ’em throw me in jail
What the hell, I can’t take any more,
I’m a modern guy who’s not afraid to wail,
And I’m right, as well you know.
-Jehan Rictus, quoted by Camus in Jehan Rictus, the Poet of Poverty, Sud, May 1932
Taken from, Cahiers II Albert Camus Youthful Writings, Knopf New York, 1976
I often wonder if what Camus would think about the current political situation, and what he would write or do about it. Sometimes I think we probably don’t have to wonder, given the parallels between the current situation and what he experienced in the 1930–40’s with the rise of nationalism, racism and anti-Semitism in Europe and the globe. Camus dealt with these topics throughout his career, not to mention the fact that he was technically an immigrant to France himself, and certainly felt like an outsider both there and in Algeria later in his life as the political situation changed. Given his other views on prison, executions, and freedom movements, I think he would have a lot to say about how things are going down now.
I think that the causes of the global migration crisis of recent would be of special concern, as it is largely driven by poverty and insecurity. As the child of an illiterate mother and poor pied noir family, Camus was not only lucky to have gotten the chance at a higher education, but luckier to have the chance to travel outside of Algeria and throughout the world. One thing he emphasizes in this early essay of his are the dreams of the poor, and how they drive them to action, but are often a stark contrast to the reality of their situation. He finishes his analysis of Rictus by pointing out how wealth comes at the expense of the poor, and that the poor are innocent. Reflecting on this, one must image the current incarceration of the poor, the refugees and asylum seekers, and the immigrants as especially sorrowful.
I’m also an immigrant, although my vanilla bureaucratic experience of coming to America was nowhere near as dramatic as those of the migrant caravan from Central America or dinghy crossing of the Mediterranean. I do however come from a poor area, and although I certainly never had for want, the small village where I’m from doesn’t have many people with “fancy” educations and global travel. These are mostly dreams (although far easier now than even in my own youth) to the residents of that area. Not to mention the similar nostalgia I feel when thinking of my bucolic upbringing, and the parallels to the wisp’s of nostalgia that resonate through Camus’ work later in his life as he grew more distant to the cities and scenery of his youth. It’s a long journey from innocence to the Absurd, made all the more difficult depending on your dreams.
I chose this quote today not only because of the upcoming “Presidential Address to the Nation” but also because of the defiance, and the scorn in this passage. Traits of an Absurd Hero. Accept the outcomes of your actions, but speak out and act against what you must, and thumb your nose at the universe and those that would have silent in your defiance and promotion of the Absurdity of existence.
-DA
