Lennard J. Davis

Lennard J. Davis, a Professor at the University of Illinois in Chicago and expert in disability studies, dives into the concept of 'poornography'—the portrayal of poverty by those who have never lived it. He critiques canonical authors like Dickens for their limited and harmful representations. Davis advocates for 'transclass' writers to share genuine experiences of poverty, arguing this approach can dismantle stereotypes. He also discusses the importance of humility in literature and the critical need to honor the voices of those actually living in these conditions.