Brother's of the Poor

During the book their is a text written by Howard W. Campbell Jr. where he states that Americans don't consider each other as a same level individual but rather have prejudice over their economic level, and therefore are nasty beings that are unable to treat other Americans with care. "It is a genuine expression of hatred for the poor, who have no one to blame for their misery but themselves." pg 130. Here, according to Campbell, an American officer shows discrimination towards some lower ranked soldiers because of their economic level. Cambell says that Americans are unable to treat each other nicely and at a same level, but then as he continues his speech he mentions something which shows the complete opposite. "They(Americans) despised any leader from among their own number, refused to follow or even listen to him, on the grounds that he was no better than they were, that he should stop putting on airs." pg 131. What is mentioned here is that people were not treated for the rank they had, but rather were treated equally as prisoners and captured war buddies. Here no sort of better or worse measure was taken, since no matter what someone had that others didn't, it didn't make them any better in the circumstance in which they were. They denied to follow the orders of any leader on the camp, and showed their believe of being equal in that moment. It contrasts against the first statement by Campbell, since here he is proving wrong the first thing he said. Americans, even when captured in the war, showed compassion towards others. And it is even clearer with the example of Edgar Derby, who took care of Billy in his sickness or promises such as the one the wagon partners of Weary made to him before his death, that you can see how captured Americans try and make the stay there better for the other comrades.