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I found this blog on Twitter #Civicengagement talking about how Civic engagement might be able to end poverty in America. This article really got my attention because I myself came from a poor neighborhood when I was growing up. At the time it didn’t really affect me as much because we had a lot of family to help us. But as the years went on I realized that I needed to get out and make something of myself. There was no other way of doing so then by doing well in school and attending college.
The poverty crises in America is getting worse and worse each year, and people were getting tired of waiting around for politicians and government power to do something about it. Even though this is one way to go about that, people still wanted to do something to help the community. The best answer that the guest speakers could give was that the community needed the involvement of the citizens themselves. It didn’t matter how many people did what or at what site, but actually going out and serving the community. This will help people learn that we do have power in what we say and what we do. The article states that this will take some time, but by serving the community each and every day will we eventually be free of poverty.
I believe this article is a good topic for the class because it explains a social issue here in our community and the only way to solve it is to actually get involved with the community and give back. Giving back to the community is important, but the problem today always seems to be that people are too busy, have work, sick or just flat out don’t want to. I believe that if we could get involved with civic engagement as much as people work every day, then we could reach our goal of bringing America out of poverty.
I agree and like this article. I, myself came from a poor neighborhood. Looking back at it, there was nobody helping out the people. I think people are just lazy now days and do not want to do anything that does not benefit them in the end. I tell people that I actually do community service and they ask why or say that it is boring. People now days are just selfish in the sense that they think of themselves and only worry about their problems. They wonder why their problems are being acknowledge but they do not realize that there are hundreds of other people that have the same problem.
ReplyDeleteI like the concept and idea of this article. Yet, I think the issue needs to be addressed with more than just a simplistic solution. I live in a poor neighborhood as well. But it is too simplistic to say all it takes is for us to lend a hand in community service. Because how did we, or how are we trying to escape the “poor neighborhoods?” By continuing our education. That wasn’t given to us, but was implicated within our own determination.
ReplyDeleteWe can only do so much. Lets say we all provide community service, after a while, yes we have helped those in need, but why are there still people on the street, why are people still without a home, asking for money? It astonishes me on how much we give, but yet nothings resolved. And what’s ironic is that the people out on military on the south side asking for money are super young, probably teenagers, and the ones who are really suffering are those who don't ask for money or help, there at the shelters or looking for work.
I love the idea of giving out a hand to those in need, but we have to look deeper than that. There will always be poverty in America. So we need to step back, and ask ourselves what is the root cause of poverty? We have to keep in mind of the individual who has disabilities that hold them back from their own well-being, have to recognize the atmosphere of where the poverty is accruing, and also consider how sometimes poverty comes surprisingly to those who don't expect it (laid off from a job). Nevertheless, in my opinion yeah we can help, but we cannot solve unless we address the root of the problem. I do agree that self determination, education, education about education, and giving a hand out in community service/ organizations; addressing these altogether, we will see a difference in poverty, but can the poverty be demolished as a whole? That is uncertainty.
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ReplyDeleteI believe these is a great way to start things off, also not only that but by doing community service or civic engagement you can give people a vested interest in their communities and change their perspective of how things are viewed. People who volunteer in soup kitchens for example, soon discover that not all homeless are drunken bums who choose to live that way. Teens that are required to cover up graffiti or repair acts of vandalism soon realize how expensive and labor intensive vandalism can be. By taking ownership in the community, we make our communities a better place to live for everyone, and i believe thats a great way of getting benefits by doing community service.
ReplyDeleteI agree that lending a helping hand is a start to lowering poverty but not getting rid of it because it isn't possible. This is a good article but it is a bit too broad. It doesn't specify exactly what we need to do to lower poverty. Yeah we need to help people in need but in order to almost abolish poverty how much time and effort would each of us have to put into it. A lot! I give my share of quarters to those with the cardboard signs but a dollar and fifty cents can only go so far. I realize that though I'm helping this person out all I'm really doing is feeding them today so that they can come back to the same intersection tomorrow.
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