Guest speaker Jennifer Sherman, sociologist, delved into the insights of her latest book, Dividing Paradise: Rural Inequality and the Diminishing American Dream during a discussion at Eastern Oregon University.

In her research, Sherman explores the disparities within a community in Eastern Washington, shedding light on the impact of late-stage capitalism attempting to reshape rural America. The resistance against this transformation is significant, particularly in small-town economies that historically relied on logging, mining, farming, and ranching.

These communities now face a shift towards dependence on tourism, second-home ownership, and retirement migration. Within "Dividing Paradise," Sherman narrates the tale of "Paradise Valley," a pseudonymous representation of the Washington community under scrutiny. The book unravels how amenity-driven economic growth led to a new social landscape marked by inequality and privilege, creating profound divisions between long-time residents and newcomers. The narrative exposes the phenomenon of "class blindness," where privileged newcomers often overlook or rationalize their impact on these towns, concealing the sentiments of anger, loss, and disempowerment experienced by the established locals.