Poverty: Is it real or not, and who says so?

In a recent UN study related to poverty in the US it is noted that more than 40 million Americans still live in poverty, and 140 million struggle to pay for basic living expenses. The US was not happy about this report.  

Similarly, where I am from, instead of adopting local policies to combat our poverty problem the established power structure creates incentives for the construction of homes that sale for $220K+ whereas our area median income is around $40K thus putting the idea of the American dream further into nightmare territory. We kick development deals down the road that are intended for the most impoverished areas. We block low-income tax credit apartment developments in these areas out of fear that it will attract less desirable segments of the population from nearby counties.  

Academically, where I’m from African American students have an unprecedented streak of finishing dead last in EVERY subject matter on EVERY grade level. Yet the established power structure is so strong in a town of nearly 100K, ALL City Council and School Board seats that were on the ballot in 2018 were unopposed.  

You might say, Ethan, well why don't you run? I did, in 2015. I was not good enough. I failed miserably finishing 3rd out of three candidates. My platform was far too progressive; things like small business creation, youth programming, and affordable housing. I grew up in a bootstrapping family, so I get it. However, this ain’t about a hand out, it’s about properly governing the population of people who are in front of you now.  

Likewise, where I am from, the discourse on major issues is always behind closed doors amongst the powerful and perhaps a well vetted representative from less powerful factions. There’s rarely any real public discourse. These types of collusive practices are extremely oppressive. This is bigger than putting a fence around an old cemetery; it's about getting closer to putting a fence around an affordably built home. And not one your friend built because you gave him a sweet deal either!     

Now, these are not bad people, I know many of them. They have good hearts; they just are not willing to challenge themselves to get better, so we can address an issue such as poverty in our community. Whereas, upwards of 80-85% of grade school students are on free and reduced lunch, poverty just simply is not understandable to the current power structure; it remains the elephant in the room.            

In the five years I spent in the area where I am from after college I lost just about everything while facing these giants. I got pie in my face, and was smacked with a heavy dose of reality about how things are trying to help people get from where they are now to where they want to be. Furthermore, to the leadership of my hometown, you cannot view poverty the same way UN Ambassador Nickey Haley did when the aforementioned report came out, “It is patently ridiculous for the United Nations to examine poverty in America," Haley wrote.   

My point is, progressive minds who have been reared in a different type of world with a more inclusive, diverse leadership outlook than previous generations have to stay hungry like a wolf climbing a hill, and on the frontlines for people who are less fortunate. We have to continue exercising morals that seemingly are escaping those who have perhaps overstayed their welcome in the big chair. It's not glamorous and it's not always the most rewarding, but it's worth it. It's worth is for your soul it's worth it for the people.