Event Host: Department of Sociology
Short Description: Brian Alexander’s book, Glass House: The 1% Economy and the Shattering of the All-American Town, chronicles the struggles of Lancaster, Ohio, following the closure of the Anchor Hocking Glass Company.
.dailypost {background-color:#000; padding:30px;color:#fff;font-family:"capita";font-size: 1.25em;font-weight: 400;} .clicktotweet {float: right; text-align:right;}
Brian Alexander’s book, Glass House: The 1% Economy and the Shattering of the All-American Town, chronicles the struggles of Lancaster, Ohio, following the closure of the Anchor Hocking Glass Company. With access to the company and its leaders, Alexander shows how financial engineering, which took hold in the 1980s, contributed to the closure of the plant. He then goes behind the scenes, entwined with the lives of residents as they wrestle with heroin, politics, high-interest lenders and low wage jobs to chronicle the devastating consequences of the company’s closure for the community. More broadly, Alexander’s story of one Ohio town shows how seeds sown 35 years ago have given rise to Trumpism, inequality, and an eroding national cohesion.
Alexander has written about American culture for decades. A former contributing editor to Wired magazine, he has been recognized by Medill School of Journalism's John Bartlow Martin awards for public interest journalism and other organizations. He grew up in Lancaster, with a family history in the glass business.
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP required.
On 2/16 @osusoc hosts @BrianRAlexander whose book chronicles the decline of factory town Lancaster, OH #ASCDaily
