The truth about poverty in America

[dajoki]

July 26, 2011 4:46 PM
The truth about poverty in America
"I choose to identify with the underprivileged, I choose to identify with the poor, I choose to give my life for those who have been left out of the sunlight of opportunity."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/07/26/sunday/commentaries/main20083760.shtml

In this current debate over deficit reduction, and in our political discourse in general, you almost never hear the word "poverty" or any serious talk about the poor in America.


As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminds us, at this critical moment in our history, we have a choice to make as Americans - we either choose to eradicate poverty or poverty just might eradicate us.

Every empire in history has either failed or faltered, but for some reason - be it our arrogance, our hubris, or our nationalism disguised as patriotism - we turn a blind eye to the growing chasm between the have gots and the have nots. One percent of the population owning and controlling more wealth than ninety percent of Americans, is both dangerous and unsustainable.


At the heart of the problem is political cowardice.


As the 2012 race for the White House heats up, it's worth remembering that in 2008, not once during three presidential debates did either candidate even utter the word "poverty." And not much more has been said or done since then; even as the indiscriminant net of poverty ensnares even more Americans.


Indeed, the new poor, are the former middle class.

Somebody has to tell the truth about poverty in America. It is the telling of truth that allows suffering to speak.


<<snip>>


In this upcoming election cycle, let's hope someone steps forward to speak on behalf of those most in need.

They probably won't... unless we demand that they do.

[H2O Man]

1. Recommended.

Thank you for this.

There is another OP/thread about the idea of having a Poor People's Campaign -- based on what King was organizing at the time of his death -- in Washington, DC. I think it is time.

[sea_dream]

2. I admire Tavis Smiley for

speaking out about poverty in this nation at a time when even the Democratic party is ignoring it. Every time the message is about the 1% who control 90% of the wealth, a tag line about the number of people living below the "poverty line" could be added to the conversation.


Will someone step forward? I'm not holding my breath, but I do long for a Robert Kennedy or Martin Luther King.

[Mnemosyne]

3. K&R

[OneGrassRoot]

4. HUGE K&R, and nice to see you. :) n/t

[Stuart G]

5. Strangly, today, poverty is often unrecognizable. What does that mean?

Micheal Harrington wrote that in the book, The Other America.
Poor people meld in with middle class. No one knows who is who.
Thin people in our society are admired. Often they are hungry.
Clothes are very cheap, so someone can "look clean" yet still be in total poverty.
Often people feel shamed because they are very poor.
Very very sad..