Inner City Problems - How can sympathetic, middle-class people help?

[AnnieBW]

Okay, I'm going to put it out there. I'm a middle-aged, white woman who has lived all of my life in the suburbs. But, because I'm a human being, I empathize with the problems that inner-city folks are facing. Dilapidated housing with lead paint, no jobs, rampant drugs, little commerce, etc. I may not be from the 'hood, but there must be something that people like me can do to help. Any ideas?

[virgogal]

1. If you can,move into the neighborhood and you'll know more what they need.

Being an active member of the community can work wonders.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. Find a local activist group

issues that are important:

Prison reform, this is a biggie

The end of the war on drugs, or equal enforcement in your neighborhood, which will have the same effect actually.

Get involved with your city council and become a thorn on side.

Same for the board of education.

But the most important step, you just took it, asking. Now it comes the harder part. Reading, learning and finding a group and gaining trust.

I will start you on some of that reading.

Start here, with Michelle Alexander's the New Jim Crow, and if police is part of your cup of tea, The Rise of the Warrior Cop.

There is a lot of policy documents on the net, more than you can swing a dead cat at, but if you are going to be somewhat effective at city hall, reading that boring document tract matters.

[greatlaurel]

5. Good information.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Environmental justice is another good place to start.

This is a very interesting article.
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2013/01/lead-crime-link-gasoline

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Yes, I could fill pages on that one

We just have had no time to properly research either that, or infrastructure. Every time I curl up to books to get me started, it seems we have a police shooting. Now we have one locally where oopsie, the camera was off.

Since some of the regulars in GD think anything that happens in my city probably happened on Mars, I posted it here.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/104010039

[SMC22307]

3. Literacy programs. Programs addressing food deserts.

Community gardens (Philly is supposedly big on community gardens). Programs on how to prepare a resume, interview, and dress. Volunteering for after-school programs.

Or just Google "inner city volunteer work" for your area.

[AnnieBW]

4. Great ideas all!

Especially the community gardens idea. I'll have to check that out! Thanks!

[SMC22307]

7. Google Philadelphia community gardens or urban agriculture.

I don't know where you are, but folks are REALLY into it.

[romanic]

8. Volunteering

Is the greatest thing you could do for an inner city community. But don't forget to look out for volunteer work out in your neck of the words; some of the problems that plague the inner city are in the suburbs as well (drug use, poor housing, homelessness). Helping others is needed in every community.