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27
Jun
Jun
heavy conversation: poverty.
I think about poverty and how it’s just something we just don’t like to talk about. Yet we get irritable when “they” move into our middle class communities and lower property values. We cringe when the news media seems to find the most of ignant of ig’nent person of color to chuck up an opinion. And us hard working folks really DO.NOT.WANT baby daddies, statistical drop out rates, trailer parks, Kool Aid, unreformable prisons, welfare abusers and the mommas who love them. But yet of yet we are all in this capitalistic system together and someone has to be at the bottom.
Question.
Is poverty the result of personal failure?
Discuss.
on June 27th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Well, I was asked this question earlier but it wasn’t until hours after when I was running errands that I came to what i believe to be MY opinion on the subject.
I was inside of a cash checking place with a friend earlier tonight. As we were leaving, a older black lady held the door for us. She was cordial, held the door for us, and wished us god’s blessing. In return we smiled and said thank you (as any respectable person with manners would). THEN the woman says “okay now gimme some change.” My friend and I looked at each other, shook our heads and kept moving.
Now, if you are willing to exchange services for wages — why not do it legitimately. Those individuals who are “hustlin” get up at the crack of dawn, and work til sunset. I work and go to school. I wake up at the crack of dawn, and work til just around sunset. I guess what I am saying is that if you have the will power to get up and beg all day – why not direct all that energy into something that you will benefit from without being looked down upon? Holding a door open is doing work therefore you are capable of manual labor and lord knows there are plenty places looking for an extra hand.
All in all if you’re going to self employ yourself as a doorman why not do it for an hourly wage and maybe some benefits?
on June 28th, 2008 at 9:25 am
We are indeed living in a climate where personal responsibility triumphs any excuses a person may have. American’s are generally not sympathetic with the poor; because we all have been photo stamped with familiar images of third world nations; cleft-lipped babies, famine, Soweto ghetto’s, Darfur, and Chinese Orphanages.
American’s now have a cross perspective world view that makes us look at ourselves, look at the world, and then look at ourselves again. We’ve got it good. Whether we are born with a silver spoon or fed by a WIC check.
on June 28th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
If you are an adult and live in America, I think poverty is the result of personal failure. This society in inundated with images of wealth, fantasy and “success” stories. And all of these images proliferate television which just happens to be in most American homes including the housing projects. So, even if you attained “the poor mentality” as a child, you make a choice by adulthood. Regardless of the reason or excuse, America is a country with free libraries to find resources to plan for success, free education (especially if your poor) to finance that success and an opportunity of entrepreneurship to say fuck everyone who tries to stop my success. In a nutshell, just do what you gotta do to get what you want.
on June 28th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
In America if you are poor you are fucked. No respect, no dignity and no shame all go hand in hand. THe ones who benefit from the welfare checks and food stamps for decades and generations have set a state of mind that I can do nothing and at least survive enough to get me a gucci bag and a new weave hair do. Now there are those who are poor for a time period do to unforseen circumstances, but time will let one know if this is a state of mind or a state of time. I feel there is no poor people just poor governement that makes up rules to a game of who they want to succeed or not ..There is poverty and there is poor, you choice which for your life.
on June 28th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I feel you zeath.
on June 29th, 2008 at 1:49 am
“State of mind or State of time.”
Well put Zaeath.
Somehow. Someway. Instant gratification has taken over the personal desire to improve personal conditions. We now favor what’s painless, easy, fun and convenient. There is too much information out here; for you to not understand how life works. Socio-Economic status improves when the work is put in. Period.
on June 29th, 2008 at 1:50 am
Through maturity I’ve learned that the world doesn’t owe you ish and that you’ve got to deal the cards that were handed down to you. All it takes is desire and desire is half the battle.
on July 1st, 2008 at 2:00 pm
success is a choice. i remind myself of that everyday. giving up is way harder than trying. – kanye west
on July 1st, 2008 at 10:27 pm
I believe poverty is a result of ignorance. You make decisions based on choices you have (or think you have). In America opportunities are abound but you have to realize that they are there. Unfortunately there are individuals in our society that can’t see that there is more to life. That doesn’t make them any less than any one else. Even though this is the land opportunity a pyramid always has a bottom.