Mythbusting in the Central Valley: Review of Erica Kohl-Arenas' The Self-Help Myth: How Philanthropy Fails to Alleviate Poverty.

This review critically assesses Erica Kohl-Arenas’ "The Self-Help Myth," which argues that philanthropy, despite good intentions, often fails to alleviate poverty by focusing on individual self-help rather than systemic inequalities. Drawing on case studies from California’s Central Valley, the book reveals how philanthropic strategies can inadvertently maintain existing power structures and divert attention from the root causes of poverty. The review emphasizes Kohl-Arenas’ assertion that market-driven charity models frequently co-opt grassroots efforts, leading to a depoliticization of poverty and a reinforcement of the status quo.