How we Treat the poor

Free · April 2016

Flint Is About How We Treat the Poor

This water crisis could not have occurred in a rich community

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/23/flint-about-how-we-treat-poor

Dear white people:

As you no doubt know, the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, returned to the headlines last week with news that the state attorney general is charging three government officials for their alleged roles in the debacle. It makes this a convenient moment to deal with something that has irked me about the way this disaster is framed.

Namely, the fact that people who look like you often get left out of it.

Consider some of the headlines:

The Racist Roots of Flint’s Water Crisis — Huffington Post

How A Racist System Has Poisoned The Water in Flint — The Root

A Question of Environmental Racism — The New York Times

As has been reported repeatedly, Flint is a majority black city with a 41 percent poverty rate. So critics ask if the water would have been so blithely poisoned, and if it would have taken media so long to notice, had the victims been mostly white.

It’s a sensible question, but whenever I hear it, I engage in a little thought experiment. I try to imagine what happened in Flint happening in Bowie, a city in Maryland where blacks outnumber whites, but the median household income is more than $100,000 a year, and the poverty rate is about 3 percent. I can’t.

Then I try to imagine it happening in Morgantown, West Virginia, where whites outnumber blacks, the median household income is about $32,000 a year, and the poverty rate approaches 40 percent — and I find that I easily can. It helps that Bowie is a few minutes from Washington, D.C., while Morgantown is over an hour from the nearest city of any size.

My point is neither that race carries no weight nor that it had no impact on what happened in Flint. No, my point is only that sometimes, race is more distraction than explanation. Indeed, that’s the story of our lives.

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To be white in America is to have been sold a bill of goods that there exists between you and people of color a gap of morality, behavior, intelligence and fundamental humanity. Forces of money and power have often used that perceived gap to con people like you into acting against their own self-interest.

In the Civil War, white men too poor to own slaves died in grotesque numbers to protect the “right” of a few plutocrats to continue that despicable practice. In the Industrial Revolution, white workers agitating for a living wage were kept in line by the threat that their jobs would be given to “Negroes.” In the Depression, white families mired in poverty were mollified by signs reading “Whites Only.”

You have to wonder what would happen if white people — particularly, those of modest means — ever saw that gap for the fiction it is? What if they ever realized you don’t need common color to reach common ground? What if all of us were less reflexive in using race as our prism, just because it’s handy?

You see, for as much as Flint is a story about how we treat people of color, it is also — I would say more so — a story about how we treat the poor, the way we render them invisible. That was also the story of Hurricane Katrina. Remember news media’s shock at discovering there were Americans too poor to escape a killer storm?

Granted, there is a discussion to be had about how poverty is constructed in this country; the black poverty rate is higher than any other, with the exception of Native Americans, and that’s no coincidence.

But it’s equally true that, once you are poor, the array of slights and indignities to which you are subjected is remarkably consistent across that racial gap.

That fact should induce you — and all of us — to reconsider the de facto primacy we assign this arbitrary marker of identity. After all, 37 percent of the people in Flint are white.

But that’s done nothing to make their water clean.

Thirty Bills Unpaid · April 2016

What say, Callen?

Who Princess · April 2016

Please credit the author of the column, Leonard Pitts. He is an exceptionally fine writer and thinker.

PJ_Soul · April 2016

I feel like the working poor, along with all people with lower paying jobs, are extremely undervalued in our society, and it pisses me off. I feel like someone who is working minimum wage actually very often works harder than most of us who earn decent salaries. Someone who has spent the day working at some fast food joint has worked harder than I worked at my desk. Sure, it's unskilled work, and I'm not suggesting they should be making $60K a year. But they have value and so does their effort. Their sweat. People look down so much on low wage earners when I think we should all be appreciating them MUCH more for their roles in society and for their efforts. They deserve much more respect for their contributions than they are given. They have true worth just like those with high paying, skilled jobs. If people realized that instead of just acting like elitist fucking snobs looking down their noses at low wage workers, everything else would likely fall into place.

brianlux · April 2016

Not only would it be right to treat low wage earners with decency and respect and a living wage, it would be good if everyone spent at least a few years doing low paying work, especially people born into privilege. But even the poor who do not work, those on disability or welfare and those who are homeless should be treated with respect.

And the same goes for members of other species. All life should be treated with respect and allowed to live in a clean, healthy environment. Other than places like sulfur pots in Yellowstone where pollution occurs naturally, there we would be wise to make sure all water is clean.

PJfanwillneverleave1 · April 2016

^^^
I think all people should spend a week of their life on a Taco Bell diet in honour of the low wage workers who do the same that work there.

brianlux · April 2016

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:
^^^
I think all people should spend a week of their life on a Taco Bell diet in honour of the low wage workers who do the same that work there.

Sadly, 8 in 10 Americans eat fast food at least once a month as it is (that's almost two weeks every year) and half eat fast food at least once a week or 52 days out of each year. Disgusting.

hedonist · April 2016

I don't really get the concept of treating anyone like shit. Even when they're being some form of an asshole.

Either you're decent and courteous (or try to be), or you're not. I see it more as a character thing.

PJfanwillneverleave1 · April 2016

hedonist said:
I don't really get the concept of treating anyone like shit. Even when they're being some form of an asshole.

Either you're decent and courteous (or try to be), or you're not. I see it more as a character thing.

Exactly Hedo!

tempo_n_groove · April 2016

PJ_Soul said:
I feel like the working poor, along with all people with lower paying jobs, are extremely undervalued in our society, and it pisses me off. I feel like someone who is working minimum wage actually very often works harder than most of us who earn decent salaries. Someone who has spent the day working at some fast food joint has worked harder than I worked at my desk. Sure, it's unskilled work, and I'm not suggesting they should be making $60K a year. But they have value and so does their effort. Their sweat. People look down so much on low wage earners when I think we should all be appreciating them MUCH more for their roles in society and for their efforts. They deserve much more respect for their contributions than they are given. They have true worth just like those with high paying, skilled jobs. If people realized that instead of just acting like elitist fucking snobs looking down their noses at low wage workers, everything else would likely fall into place.

Of course they should be treated with respect.

Shouldn't these jobs be a stepping stone though and not a career?

I don't see it as being elitist as trying to better yourself and wanting more for ones self. I always thought that's how life was... You try to better yourself.

callen · April 2016

Thirty Bills Unpaid said:
What say, Callen?

TB: Two things, first I'm honored you thought of me. Second now your going to make me read this novel!!!! Damn you. Ha.

Acknowledge Race is sometimes used as an excuse and propped up by media to sell Ford trucks. With my very limited knowledge to this lead thing don't have an opinion on this event or how it's being portrayed. Would though guess goes back to $$$$

PJ_Soul · April 2016

brianlux said:

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:
^^^
I think all people should spend a week of their life on a Taco Bell diet in honour of the low wage workers who do the same that work there.
Sadly, 8 in 10 Americans eat fast food at least once a month as it is (that's almost two weeks every year) and half eat fast food at least once a week or 52 days out of each year. Disgusting.

Is it? I don't think eating fast food once a month or even once a week is disgusting at all. Eating it every day or several times a week is. Once a month or a few times a month is simply a treat, if that's their thing.

PJ_Soul · April 2016

tempo_n_groove said:

PJ_Soul said:
I feel like the working poor, along with all people with lower paying jobs, are extremely undervalued in our society, and it pisses me off. I feel like someone who is working minimum wage actually very often works harder than most of us who earn decent salaries. Someone who has spent the day working at some fast food joint has worked harder than I worked at my desk. Sure, it's unskilled work, and I'm not suggesting they should be making $60K a year. But they have value and so does their effort. Their sweat. People look down so much on low wage earners when I think we should all be appreciating them MUCH more for their roles in society and for their efforts. They deserve much more respect for their contributions than they are given. They have true worth just like those with high paying, skilled jobs. If people realized that instead of just acting like elitist fucking snobs looking down their noses at low wage workers, everything else would likely fall into place.
Of course they should be treated with respect.

Shouldn't these jobs be a stepping stone though and not a career?

I don't see it as being elitist as trying to better yourself and wanting more for ones self. I always thought that's how life was... You try to better yourself.

Just because someone works in those types of jobs doesn't mean they aren't bettering themselves. They might better themselves in all kinds of ways. Growing what I suppose most consider a "real career" isn't the end all and be all of personal success. Also, some low paying jobs are incredibly rewarding. How much money a person earns does not define how successful they are.

lukin2006 · April 2016

PJ_Soul said:
I feel like the working poor, along with all people with lower paying jobs, are extremely undervalued in our society, and it pisses me off. I feel like someone who is working minimum wage actually very often works harder than most of us who earn decent salaries. Someone who has spent the day working at some fast food joint has worked harder than I worked at my desk. Sure, it's unskilled work, and I'm not suggesting they should be making $60K a year. But they have value and so does their effort. Their sweat. People look down so much on low wage earners when I think we should all be appreciating them MUCH more for their roles in society and for their efforts. They deserve much more respect for their contributions than they are given. They have true worth just like those with high paying, skilled jobs. If people realized that instead of just acting like elitist fucking snobs looking down their noses at low wage workers, everything else would likely fall into place.

Very well said...

eddiec · April 2016

PJ_Soul said:

tempo_n_groove said:

PJ_Soul said:
I feel like the working poor, along with all people with lower paying jobs, are extremely undervalued in our society, and it pisses me off. I feel like someone who is working minimum wage actually very often works harder than most of us who earn decent salaries. Someone who has spent the day working at some fast food joint has worked harder than I worked at my desk. Sure, it's unskilled work, and I'm not suggesting they should be making $60K a year. But they have value and so does their effort. Their sweat. People look down so much on low wage earners when I think we should all be appreciating them MUCH more for their roles in society and for their efforts. They deserve much more respect for their contributions than they are given. They have true worth just like those with high paying, skilled jobs. If people realized that instead of just acting like elitist fucking snobs looking down their noses at low wage workers, everything else would likely fall into place.
Of course they should be treated with respect.

Shouldn't these jobs be a stepping stone though and not a career?

I don't see it as being elitist as trying to better yourself and wanting more for ones self. I always thought that's how life was... You try to better yourself.
Just because someone works in those types of jobs doesn't mean they aren't bettering themselves. They might better themselves in all kinds of ways. Growing what I suppose most consider a "real career" isn't the end all and be all of personal success. Also, some low paying jobs are incredibly rewarding. How much money a person earns does not define how successful they are.

Exactly. This is making me think of this story:

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.” The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”

“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”

“Millions – then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

tempo_n_groove · April 2016

PJ_Soul said:

tempo_n_groove said:

PJ_Soul said:
I feel like the working poor, along with all people with lower paying jobs, are extremely undervalued in our society, and it pisses me off. I feel like someone who is working minimum wage actually very often works harder than most of us who earn decent salaries. Someone who has spent the day working at some fast food joint has worked harder than I worked at my desk. Sure, it's unskilled work, and I'm not suggesting they should be making $60K a year. But they have value and so does their effort. Their sweat. People look down so much on low wage earners when I think we should all be appreciating them MUCH more for their roles in society and for their efforts. They deserve much more respect for their contributions than they are given. They have true worth just like those with high paying, skilled jobs. If people realized that instead of just acting like elitist fucking snobs looking down their noses at low wage workers, everything else would likely fall into place.
Of course they should be treated with respect.

Shouldn't these jobs be a stepping stone though and not a career?

I don't see it as being elitist as trying to better yourself and wanting more for ones self. I always thought that's how life was... You try to better yourself.
Just because someone works in those types of jobs doesn't mean they aren't bettering themselves. They might better themselves in all kinds of ways. Growing what I suppose most consider a "real career" isn't the end all and be all of personal success. Also, some low paying jobs are incredibly rewarding. How much money a person earns does not define how successful they are.

So if money doesn't define them and it's a rewarding job then why do they need to earn more? Apparently they're happy!?!

Back on topic, i watched a special on Chicago and how the cops don't come to the neighborhoods when called. It's like the whole police force checked out.

That's horrible.

PJ_Soul · April 2016

tempo_n_groove said:

PJ_Soul said:

tempo_n_groove said:

PJ_Soul said:
I feel like the working poor, along with all people with lower paying jobs, are extremely undervalued in our society, and it pisses me off. I feel like someone who is working minimum wage actually very often works harder than most of us who earn decent salaries. Someone who has spent the day working at some fast food joint has worked harder than I worked at my desk. Sure, it's unskilled work, and I'm not suggesting they should be making $60K a year. But they have value and so does their effort. Their sweat. People look down so much on low wage earners when I think we should all be appreciating them MUCH more for their roles in society and for their efforts. They deserve much more respect for their contributions than they are given. They have true worth just like those with high paying, skilled jobs. If people realized that instead of just acting like elitist fucking snobs looking down their noses at low wage workers, everything else would likely fall into place.
Of course they should be treated with respect.

Shouldn't these jobs be a stepping stone though and not a career?

I don't see it as being elitist as trying to better yourself and wanting more for ones self. I always thought that's how life was... You try to better yourself.
Just because someone works in those types of jobs doesn't mean they aren't bettering themselves. They might better themselves in all kinds of ways. Growing what I suppose most consider a "real career" isn't the end all and be all of personal success. Also, some low paying jobs are incredibly rewarding. How much money a person earns does not define how successful they are.
So if money doesn't define them and it's a rewarding job then why do they need to earn more? Apparently they're happy!?!

Because they still need to pay for a roof over their heads, food, clothing, and bills. Right now, minimum wage doesn't usually allow them to do that.

Free · April 2016

eddiec said:

PJ_Soul said:

tempo_n_groove said:

PJ_Soul said:
I feel like the working poor, along with all people with lower paying jobs, are extremely undervalued in our society, and it pisses me off. I feel like someone who is working minimum wage actually very often works harder than most of us who earn decent salaries. Someone who has spent the day working at some fast food joint has worked harder than I worked at my desk. Sure, it's unskilled work, and I'm not suggesting they should be making $60K a year. But they have value and so does their effort. Their sweat. People look down so much on low wage earners when I think we should all be appreciating them MUCH more for their roles in society and for their efforts. They deserve much more respect for their contributions than they are given. They have true worth just like those with high paying, skilled jobs. If people realized that instead of just acting like elitist fucking snobs looking down their noses at low wage workers, everything else would likely fall into place.
Of course they should be treated with respect.

Shouldn't these jobs be a stepping stone though and not a career?

I don't see it as being elitist as trying to better yourself and wanting more for ones self. I always thought that's how life was... You try to better yourself.
Just because someone works in those types of jobs doesn't mean they aren't bettering themselves. They might better themselves in all kinds of ways. Growing what I suppose most consider a "real career" isn't the end all and be all of personal success. Also, some low paying jobs are incredibly rewarding. How much money a person earns does not define how successful they are.
Exactly. This is making me think of this story:

An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.

The Mexican replied, “only a little while. The American then asked why didn’t he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs. The American then asked, “but what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siestas with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine, and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life.” The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds, buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat, you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually New York City, where you will run your expanding enterprise.”

The Mexican fisherman asked, “But, how long will this all take?”

To which the American replied, “15 – 20 years.”

“But what then?” Asked the Mexican.

The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions!”

“Millions – then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siestas with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

That's a lovely story. Many folks just want to get by enough to enjoy life. Not everyone is a capitalist fanatic.

brianlux · April 2016

PJ_Soul said:

brianlux said:

PJfanwillneverleave1 said:
^^^
I think all people should spend a week of their life on a Taco Bell diet in honour of the low wage workers who do the same that work there.
Sadly, 8 in 10 Americans eat fast food at least once a month as it is (that's almost two weeks every year) and half eat fast food at least once a week or 52 days out of each year. Disgusting.
Is it? I don't think eating fast food once a month or even once a week is disgusting at all. Eating it every day or several times a week is. Once a month or a few times a month is simply a treat, if that's their thing.

I really is disgusting to me on a number of levels, PJ_S.

It's disgusting because:
-So many poor falsely believe that fast food is the best they can do nutritionally within their budget.
-because we haven't done a good enough job about educating people about nutrition.
-because fast "food" is toxic.
-because most of this food (Chapotle Grill might be the exception) is helping destroy ecosystems.
-because the packaging is massively wasteful.
-because too many people have never learned or are too lazy too cook (but they could go raw if that's the case).
-because going to fast food take out means more unnecessary driving.

PJ_Soul · April 2016

But all of these points only seem relevant if someone is eating it regularly. Not once a month (and some of thise points are also only applicable depending in the fast food restaurant in question).

brianlux · April 2016

PJ_Soul said:
But all of these points only seem relevant if someone is eating it regularly. Not once a month (and some of thise points are also only applicable depending in the fast food restaurant in question).

I think the stats I found were too generous. I think many people (especially the under-educated, under-informed poor) eat fast food far more than once a month. Sooner or later almost all of us need a quick bite but it doesn't need to be the crap dished out by most fast food joints. It could all be as healthy as Chipotle or better even! And the over-all affect is applicable to all of us. McDonalds beef = fewer rain forests = global warmer = ... you know?

How we Treat the poor

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