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While from 1922 to 1929 real wages in manufacturing went…

“While from 1922 to 1929 real wages in manufacturing went up per capita 1.4 percent a year, the holders of common stocks gained 16.4 percent a year. Six million families (42 percent of the total) made less than $1,000 a year. One-tenth of 1 percent of the families at the top received as much income…” quote by Howard Zinn
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““While from 1922 to 1929 real wages in manufacturing went up per capita 1.4 percent a year, the holders of common stocks gained 16.4 percent a year. Six million families (42 percent of the total) made less than $1,000 a year. One-tenth of 1 percent of the families at the top received as much income as 42 percent of the families at the bottom, according to a report of the Brookings Institution. Every””

Howard Zinn

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The quote highlights stark income inequality, showing stock owners earned far more than wage workers, and a tiny elite captured a disproportionate share of wealth.

In simple terms: Rich get richer while many stay poor.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and address systemic wealth gaps.

Themes

inequality wealth distribution economic disparity

Mood

concerned critical

Type

analytical informative

When to use this quote

  • policy debates
  • financial planning
  • social advocacy
  • educational curricula

Key Concepts

Capital gains labor wages wealth concentration

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do modern investment returns compare to wages?
  • What policies could reduce such gaps?
A Different Perspective

The data may be outdated and not reflect current dynamics.

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