You do know that ghettos form when people didn't protect their communities, didn't you?
I'm probably older than you and have seen it happen far too often. I lived in a bad place because of a bad choice I made but I wised up and worked my way out.
Poverty will either kill you or make you stronger. It made me stronger and a strong desire to never be in it again. I was embarrassed to wear short sleeves because my arms were so muscular from assembly line work, cut off my pretty long hair. I could have shacked up with a man but I didn't think that was right,especially in front of my kids.
I agree today is much different but we're talking about the early 70s. I feel sorry for people who worked just to be put out of their homes and money doesn't go far.