Overthrowing the Queen: Telling Stories of Welfare in America

Research from the “Voices of Welfare” project is captured in a new book

In 1976, Ronald Reagan hit the campaign trail with an extraordinary account of a woman committing massive welfare fraud. The story caught fire and a devastating symbol of the misuse government programs was born: the Welfare Queen. Overthrowing the Queen examines these legends of fraud and abuse while bringing to light personal stories of hardship and hope told by cashiers, bus drivers, and business owners; politicians and aid providers; and, most important, aid recipients themselves. Together these stories reveal how the seemingly innocent act of storytelling can create not only powerful stereotypes that shape public policy, but also redemptive counter-narratives that offer hope of a more accurate, fair, and empathetic view of poverty in America today. Overthrowing the Queen tackles perceptions of welfare recipients while proposing new approaches to the study of oral narrative that extend far beyond the study of welfare, poverty, and social justice.

Links for Overthrowing the Queen

• Order the book
• Read and listen to popular press pieces based on research in the book
  • “Life on welfare isn’t what many people think it is”—The Conversation and news outlets around the country. March 11, 2020
  • “Welfare and the American Dream”— Radio and online episode of the Academic Minute hosted by Inside Higher Ed. Nov. 5, 2019
• Check out media coverage