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Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn speak at the Commonwealth Club of California about their new book about the problems facing America’s working class, titled “Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope.” 

Nicholas Kristof grew up in Yamhill County, Ore. 

His book was written with entrepreneur Sheryl WuDunn, who is also his wife.  

It tells stories of working class struggles and tragedy but also stories of resilience. 

They say the depths of despair are largest in rural America. The two award-winning journalists have reported from around the world, and say that we need to realize that there is a “humanitarian crisis right here in America, too.”

Kristof said, “these are problems that preceded Trump, and they will be around when he is gone. ” And he said it’s “hypocrisy” that there is “concern about the white working class when the black working class has been given the cold shoulder for decades.”

Kristof and WuDunn call for an investment in human capital. “Talent is universal, but opportunity is not,” Kristof said. “All Americans should care about inequality.”

They propose investing in early childhood education, offering drug treatment rather than imprisonment, and more job training, retraining and job creation. 

WuDunn said it’s important to realize that “a job is not just to bring in money. It gives you a sense of purpose and a sense of well-being.”

Kristof is an op-ed columnist for the New York Times. WuDunn is a business executive. They are both Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists.

Kristof and WuDunn spoke with Lenny Mendonca, chief economic and business adviser to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, at the Commonwealth Club of California. The event was recorded Feb. 4.

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Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn speak at the Commonwealth Club of California about their new book, “Tightrope: Americans Reaching for Hope.” 

Nicholas Kristof, Sheryl WuDunn on the humanitarian crisis in America

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