TED: America's forgotten working class | J.D. Vance

The speaker shares personal experiences of growing up in a struggling Ohio steel town, highlighting the challenges of being a cultural outsider and the barriers to upward mobility. He discusses the impact of community struggles, hopelessness, and lack of social capital on his life. Despite facing childhood trauma and low expectations, he overcame these odds with the help of his grandparents, the Marine Corps, and mentors. The speaker calls for societal change to provide better opportunities and support for low-income children, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions to address these issues.

How does the speaker describe the concept of social capital?

In what ways did the speaker's grandparents influence their life choices?

What lessons did the speaker learn from their time in the Marine Corps?

What does the speaker suggest needs to change in society to help low-income kids?