Blaming the VictimBy: William Ryan The classic work that refutes the lies we tell ourselves about race, poverty and the poor. Here are three myths about poverty in America: Minority children perform poorly in school because they are culturally deprived. African Americans are handicapped by a family structure that is typically unstable and matriarchal. Poor people suffer from bad health because of ignorance and lack of interest in proper health care. Blaming the Victim