Take action against poverty instead of just talking

by Larry James of of Urban Daily

Okay, I'll be the first to admit the obvious: we spend a good bit of time here talking about, studying, debating poverty and the various issues orbiting around its hard reality. Our mission here is to provoke thought, educate those interested and, hopefully, inspire new and more effective action.

That said, it is also true that words are limited in their value. Compassionate hearts and minds are never enough.

If we are serious, we must take action.

This Thursday, at another talking event--our monthly Urban Engagement Book Club--we will discuss Jawanza Kunjufu's book, An African Centered Response to Ruby Payne’s Poverty Theory (African American Images, Chicago 2006). Educators will be familiar with Payne's now famous (or infamous, depending on your point of view) best-selling "red book" on poverty and educating the children of poverty, A Framework for Understanding Poverty.

Kunjufu has heard enough of the talk, seen enough study. He points us in a different direction:

"I don’t want to study poverty. We now have “poverty pimps.” {Robert Woodson, Sr., The Triumphs of Joseph). They can talk about poverty, make money off of poverty, and write books on poverty. They can do everything but solve poverty. . . .

We will instead study economic empowerment. If people are so concerned about poverty, then we should teach poor people how to acquire wealth in America. We should explain to poor people how it came to be that 1 percent of the population owns 57 percent of the wealth and 10 percent own 86 percent of the wealth. The remaining 90 percent only owns 14 percent of the wealth" (p. xii).

Strong, challenging words, huh?

Larry James' Urban Daily

A repository of ideas, resources, commentary and opinions concerning the issues facing low-income residents of the inner cities of the United States and how mainstream America largely forgets or, worse, ignores the day-to-day realities of urban life for the so-called "poor." Written and edited by the President & CEO of Central Dallas Ministries. Please visit CDM.

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sweettalk, says:

Anyone interested in making poverty history may join ONE Campaign Dallas volunteers from 6:00 to 8:00 PM next Wednesday, September 12, at the Ginger Man, 2718 Boll Street, Dallas, Texas 75204.