No Hope on the Reservations

Nick Kristoff is usually bopping around war-torn nations, reporting on the most marginalized people in the world. But this week, he stayed home and found much of the same! Four things he taught me about the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, in South Dakota:

1. The life expectancy on the reservation is the same as the life expectancy in Afghanistan.

2. Two-thirds of adults on the reservation are alcoholics. One-quarter of babies are born with fetal alcohol syndrome.

3. Unemployment is at 70%.

4. America is the best country in the world.

Support The Billfold

The Billfold continues to exist thanks to support from our readers. Help us continue to do our work by making a monthly pledge on Patreon or a one-time-only contribution through PayPal.