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Comment by itsagavin | Hacker News Reader

I can answer this as a dude that started off life at 11 homeless and went from there. Live in unquestionable poverty along with your support network of $4000 a year earners? Or take a bus to any random American city and get ready for your how many days can a green recruit last in Nam scenario?

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>green recruit last in Nam scenario

How is it any different where you came from? Once you become a teenager the gangs and predatory "adults" start closing in on you to either join/serve or be an outsider they abuse for amusement.

I say this from similar situation as you but I was 16. Much easier since I could legally work in restaurants (which is what I did). I have no idea how you would make it without the ability to work. I'm not saying that I want anyone to go through what I or you did. However it was blindingly clear to me even as a child that staying was equal to dying. I don't see how these people stay in these places having been there myself.

Someone posted the average income at pine ridge is <$4k. You can work for minimum wage for almost a 400% increase in income by leaving.

Where are they going to go where they won't be at a severe disadvantage due to racism and lack of both money and connections?

Yes they’d be at a disadvantage. Wouldn’t you still make that choice? Why would you voluntarily stay in a place so poor? Can it really get any worse?

Anywhere else. You make it sound like racism is bad enough to keep them unemployed

> Where are they going to go where they won't be at a severe disadvantage due to racism and lack of both money and connections?

Mexico. This people needs the wisdom of a Mexican coacher.

Thriving despite racism, lack of money and no friends in town, but with a golden, fully legal document of citizenship granting free pass, and speaking the same language as everybody else?. Yep, Challenge accepted

I think the problem gets much more complex, and I would assume that moving from pine ridge (and similar places) - one would find that their rent increases more than 400%. I am assuming that living there grants access to transportation in some regard, as well as community mentors that help with how to live and what can be done when something tragic happens. Moving is more than the cost in dollars to get from point A to point B - and living somewhere in the states could yield a worse life for people even if they suddenly increased income by 400%. Last report I saw listed 8 counties (?) where you could pay rent on minimum wage (?) - I think it was a few in New Mexico and western Oregon - not sure this is still true - but you may need more than a job and rent if moving to these places - cars and other things may be necessary. I also don't know how many people could move to these last few places before all the available housing was taken and prices go up, and all the basic jobs are taken and people start working under the table for less, bringing the average wage down. The shortage of housing in this country is crushing so many, and that's without the other tough things being considered.

What about doing the opposite and going back to how they lived years ago, hunting and fishing, traditional housing.

I'm guessing however that the reservation was put in the most disadvantaged place for doing such traditional activities. A prarie is useless without it's bison. And bison are probably a protected species.

Many would call that poverty or subsistence but many long for it. It may be romanticised but it seems like the essence of life. Heimo Korth (?) In Alaska been doing it for 40 odd years.

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