Don't let poverty problems get lost in the rhetoric of national debate
Tennessee Voices
Poverty. It is always with us, embedded in our community.
Many of us choose to close our eyes to those who are homeless, to those who are hungry, to those who lack basic health care. But they are ever-present.
This month, the U.S. Census Bureau released its estimates on the number of individuals and families living in poverty across the United States. It noted that 12.1 percent of the American population lives in poverty, compared with 11.3 percent in 2000. The median household income for all Americans was $49,975, down from $50,557 in 2000. Unemployment is the highest it has been in years.
In an election year, when the Republican and Democratic candidates are addressing voters across the country, they must tell us how they will give everyone a fighting chance at the American dream.
As citizens, we must press the candidates to tell us what they will do in their first 100 days to address poverty.
We can solve poverty with political leadership that is responsive to a powerful grass-roots citizens movement. And that is what is under way this month in a national, faith-based initiative, "Fighting Poverty with Faith." Organized by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and Catholic Charities USA, more than 20 national faith-based organizations are mobilizing their members in more than 80 cities to raise questions with candidates and elected officials.
Here, in Nashville, the Jewish and Catholic communities will participate in a poverty simulation, gaining an understanding of the daily struggles of the working poor.
Last year, the Jewish Federation sponsored a food-stamp challenge, asking participants, ranging from a congressman to Metro Council members to clergy, to live on $21 of food for a week, the amount the average food stamp recipient is allotted. At the end of the week, the 40-plus participants were so moved by the experience, they wanted to do something to help reduce poverty in our community.
The seeds for a community-wide symposium on poverty reduction were planted and are bearing fruit. On Sept. 22, "Nashville's Poverty Symposium: A Call to Action to Reduce Poverty in Our Community" will be presented under the auspices of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce Public Benefit Foundation and the Metropolitan Action Commission, along with a coalition of nearly 20 partner organizations.
This combination of business, social service, civic and faith-based groups will help form the first action plan to reduce poverty in Nashville.
In the meantime, each and every one of us should be sure to ask our candidates for public office what their plans are to bring prosperity to the least of us.
Judith A. Saks is community relations director of the Jewish Federation of Nashville.
