Poverty Portfolio Title Page

Poverty Portfolio

 Luke Frantz

English 102-041W

Professor Leslie Jewkes

December 10, 2012

Introduction

First of all I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to read my portfolio. My topic for the semester was poverty, and though disheartening at times, throughout my research I have glimpsed at the underlying cause to this predicament. With so many individuals providing statistics and personal research, finding a clear-cut answer or spot on facts was difficult to come by. Failures in the modern day economic system were blatantly obvious, as was the truth that as a nation and a collective whole we still allow thousands of children to die each day as a result of malnutrition and inadequate healthcare. This brought to mind the necessity of reformation, and the importance of standing up for a world where proper nutrition and medicine are available to everyone, not just those in the developed world. Nothing will change the globes current set of circumstances unless as a race, everyone comes together and unites in an effort to make the world a safe, habitable ecosystem where all live in harmony.   

             

Local Research

 

Poverty

And the Hungry Truth

Luke Frantz

English 102 041W

Leslie Jewkes

October 17, 2012

Abstract

            Within Poverty you will find many factors that all lead to the same fundamental problem: the uneven distribution of wealth and the habitual issue of greed. Throughout the essay problems will be presented, as will numerous underlying factors that greatly contribute to the current problem of poverty. Finally, it will conclude with a set of ideas formulated on the basis of fairness and self-dedication in protecting human rights and equality for all Americans. While reading this essay it would be best to keep an open mind as some of the ideas might come across as unusual, and in doing so a deeper understanding into the heart of poverty will be obtained.

Luke Frantz

English 102 041W

Leslie Jewkes

October 17, 2012

Poverty: And the Hungry Truth

            Life can often times seem unfair. Some lives are lavished with luxury and handed down enterprises. A number of people are successful via a combination of hard work and dedication. But for others, the daily life of simply surviving, finding food and shelter is the true battle. So with a world full of sufficient resources and caring people: how can so many go hungry and live without shelter? Living below poverty level is a natural part of life for many Americans. What truly constitutes destitution?  What are the reasons so many are affected by this systematic poverty?  Finally, how can we go about solving this epidemic?

We have seen men and women begging on street corners, often times barring an empty can of gas or their children. Some even embrace their addiction and project signs with slogans such as: “dreaming of a cheeseburger” or “I just want some booze,” and though the humor can be a nice change from the blatantly disheartening, these people embrace their situation and sadness is still mirrored through the lingering eyes of depression. But what is the effect of poverty?  Jo Goodwin Parker writes “Poverty is an acid that drips on pride until all pride is worn away. Poverty is a chisel that chips on honor until honor is worn away.” (Goodwin Parker) It has been said that: “Poverty is the worst form of violence” (Gandhi). So when life is always taking a financial or mental toll the strain of having nothing left to give becomes the center of an identity, rooted in pain and bound in misfortune.

Life can take many unexpected turns, from the heartbroken to the emotionally disturbed, from the shattered mind ruined by the atrocities of war to the terminally ill cancer patient who can no longer afford medical treatment. Even the loss of a loved one or a child can leave the remnants of such darkening depression the thought of getting out of bed can be as debilitating as the Hanta Virus. Factors will always be present, and one can never know the life story of the hurt and homeless without first understanding that we all at one point or another feel like giving up. Sadly, many lives are pulled into the vortex of confusion and abandonment where hope is hard to stumble across and purpose has been photo-shopped out of the picture.

            Existence can be as natural as breathing to one person and painfully difficult for another: but why is that the case? Poverty is an issue millions of Americans are faced with on a daily basis, natural resources are dwindling, jobs are being lost and depression rates are at an all time high with many statistics claiming they have roughly tripled in the past two decades. Which would reflect nearly 27 million Americans (Spencer), and nearly twenty five percent of suicides relating to alcohol (Miller). The picture becomes clearer as to why our country and its citizens are becoming disillusioned in America’s free enterprise system and watch as the land of opportunity becomes a playground in which the rich become richer. “The level of poverty was higher in the mid-1990s than in the late 60’s, and the poverty is deeper (the poor are poorer) and geographically concentrated (the poor are more isolated) now than 30 years ago”(Harris). The poor have a harder time affording the basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and shelter (Bothof).

             Of course, we can brush the issue off and blame poverty on lack of motivation, “Early childbearing, criminal activity, drug and alcohol use, and refusal to participate in a labor market are seen as chosen behaviors which limit the ability of individuals to take advantage of opportunity”(See), but the depths of the poverty iceberg shows magnitude beneath the surface. Living below poverty level is a natural part of life for many Americans. “Family income has fallen by $4,000, but health insurance premiums are higher, food prices are higher, utility bills are higher, and gasoline prices have doubled. Today more Americans wake up in poverty than ever before. (Romney) So with life expenses on the rise, and household incomes dwindling, where does one find extra income to sustain comfortable living?

            Debt and the rising costs of housing and essentials (i.e. food and clothing) alike can leave little to no room for activities outside the home. This, in turn, affects our economy by causing businesses related to leisure and entertainment to struggle.  Money is being saved for utilities and groceries rather than being spent elsewhere. The domino effect of this is employees of these businesses begin to lose hours, money is no longer being attained by the stores owners, and food distributors have to raise costs to keep up with demand.  Often, food quality will go down to keep costs the same, so with families not having money to spend on activities outside the home it makes it difficult for business to stay afloat with little money circulating through the country. It works the same in nature. Our economy is an eco system and when one factor gets removed or goes extinct, the ripples will be felt throughout the entire system.

            College can be a great place to further an education, interact with peers and harness a better understanding of ones place in the world; but what about the financial aspect? With tuition on the rise and jobs being outsourced instead of brought in, the cost and burden of paying off debt has left collection agencies in a great position, but not so much the college graduate. It has been estimated that “America’s student loan debt is growing at a rate of $2,853.88 per second. At this pace, it will surpass $1 trillion in 2012” (Cohn). A simple solution to the growing number of individuals undergoing the issue of tuition related debt is loan forgiveness provided to those who give back to the community through services and volunteering. Those in positions of power would be well advised to lead by example and show that through education and social awareness the world can be what we only dreamed it could. This too would encourage college attendance.

            “In 2011, about 15.9 percent of the U.S. population had income below the poverty level, an increase from 15.3 percent in 2010. The number of people in poverty increased from 46.2 million to 48.5 million during the same time period.” (Bishaw) These frightening statistics reflect the truth that the problem is not going anywhere, and that year-by-year it only gets worse, which makes “it is easy to understand the growing insecurity that so many Americans feel. Even the employed know that their jobs are at risk, and with the high level of unemployment and the low level of social protection, their lives could suddenly take a turn for the worst.” (Stiglitz)

            Families all throughout the community are facing the truth that they can no longer afford to live under their current means. When the bills pile up and the money is not coming in, what options are left? Do you sell all your possessions and do what you can to salvage the situation? Or do you embrace the chaos and allow life to run its course: even if that means losing your home? Thousands of families across the state are being challenged with this predicament, and the reality that many children are without clothing or food is fact.

            The challenging feats of the uneducated and the wandering minds of the hopelessly ignorant leave a blinded glare to the goodness life can behold  “In the 36 month period from January 2004 to December 2006, 28.9 percent of the U.S. population were in poverty for at least 2 months”  (Bishaw) Abusive families, drug addiction, psychological illness, and the inability to function in a capitalistic profit driven economy lead many to stray away from the herd.

            Unemployment rates remain stagnant. Bishaw states that: “since the beginning of this year, the rate has held in a narrow range of 8.1 to 8.3 percent. The number of unemployed persons, at 12.5 million, was little changed in August.” (Bishaw) “One could accept low growth rates more easily were they not connected with high unemployment. For the affected people, unemployment is not only a material burden; it also injures their dignity. It weighs heavily on their minds, disturbs their emotional balance and their personal relationships.” (Sarkar) “Poverty is spreading at record levels across many groups, from underemployed workers and suburban families to the poorest poor. More discouraged workers are giving up on the job market, leaving them vulnerable as unemployment aid begins to run out.” (Yen)

            Lack of money will always be a major cause of misfortune and “we surely don’t want to admit that our dependency on money is flawed, because that would imply that the fault is our own and god forbid we take responsibility for our lives. So we blame the money.” (Kymatica) Though taking responsibility for ones actions can be a struggle, and budgeting a catastrophic ordeal; government issues, business outsourcing, and massive layoffs nation wide do not help the matter. “A close examination of poverty reveals that it is about much more than money alone. Poverty results from a number of factors that include political, social, and economic dynamics” (Poverty). “The collapse of the good jobs has happened during the last quarter century, and, not surprisingly, wages for such jobs have gone down and disparity between wages at the top and those in the middle has increased. The polarization of the labor force has meant that while more of the money is going to the top, more of the people are going to the bottom.” (Stiglitz) So while money is being sucked away from those at the bottom of the financial ladder who struggle to pay bills, the free enterprise system allows the elitists who dictate prices to earn substantially more.

            The uneven distribution of wealth and the poverty stricken who feel they have no other choice but to rely on government assistance (e.g. welfare, food stamps and Medicaid) forces reliance and trust in an institution that seems to reward those in peril with “free” money and food, rather than the opportunity to work and create a sustainable life. This government reliance can instill a false understanding that money is free and one most not work for a living. This egoic sense of self and entitlement inflates the mind in believing it “deserves this, and doesn’t need to give back.” This disturbing frame of reference can be seen throughout the country and the reasons for this still evade the vast majority.

            As stubborn humans, it often takes difficult, life altering circumstances to gather a perspective that re-wires an alternate world-view. Often people learn by means of opposites; most do not understand the importance of a job until the lack of a job is immanent; or the vitality of providing for ones family is not known until put in a position where the family can no longer be provided for. Life is full of lessons and although being homeless or poverty stricken can be a traumatic experience, it can also help to humble the stubborn heart and force those involved to change their current situation.

             People learn a lot about the little things taken for granted when placed in a situation where those things are no longer present, as well as motivation to cultivate something meaningful with their remaining time. Although using misfortunes of others to further better oneself, it never hurts to examine life through the experience of another. It would be wise to “stop panicking because the world is telling you something, it is telling you exactly what is wrong with you and how to fix it.” (Kymatica) Americans blame society but Americans are society, and until responsibility is taken from all sides a solution will be difficult to come across.

A solution to the crises of poverty is as difficult to solve as an astrophysics equation. There is no standard way of defining poverty. What is necessary to satisfy basic needs varies across time and place, depending on the level of economic development, societal norms, and values”(Caner). With all the variables and infinite circumstances each case brings a unique problem that in turn requires a unique solution. One key point for this issue is requiring beneficiaries of social services to give back by participating in the community. Providing simple services such as highway cleanup, volunteering, or any other activity that benefits society is advantageous not only to that society, but it also gives those providing the services a sense of satisfaction. It can even help to motivate those with a “free money and food” mentality that purpose can be found within the problem, and great joy can be harnessed in returning it to others.

Caps on government spending, along with limitations on profit made by CEOs and other government agencies; with private business owners extending all extra proceeds to charity or another chosen organizations would in turn negate the uneven distribution of wealth. This being something of a strange theory would require public support and humbleness from numerous public figures, plus government backing. Yet, with proper understanding of the pain associated with poverty: both mentally and physically the truth becomes apparent that suffering on such basic levels should not be occurring and following the same outdated methods that got us in the current predicament should be revised and if found obsolete need to be done away with.

            Community shelters and housing facilities have been established in an effort to help those in their times of need; so with resolution being sought and a developing goal in sight a plan is becoming more clear. Bill hicks once quoted: “It's kind of an interesting theory, and all we have to do is make one decisive act and we can rid the world of all our enemies at once. Here's what we do. You know all that money we spend on nuclear weapons and defense every year? Trillions-of-dollars. Instead, if we spent that money feeding and clothing the poor of the world, which it would pay for many times over, not one human being excluded … not one ... we could as one race explore inner and outer space together in peace, forever.” (American)

            Within this current problem or poverty there lies a solution that all will benefit from, but the solution will not come without a price. We must be willing to sacrifice our time, resources and provide for others; we have to be willing to admit the hard truth our current system is outdated and needs revision. The world is sufficient in providing for all people- not just those in positions of power and influence. We must take responsibility in helping those in need and stand up for what it right.

Works Cited

American: The Bill Hicks Story. Dir. Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas. Perf. Bill Hicks.       2009. DVD.

Bothof, Abbe E. "Questions on Poverty." Personal interview. 7 Oct. 2012.

Caner, Asena, and Edward Wolff. "Asset Poverty in the United States, 1984-1999." M.E. Sharpe Journals 47.1 (2004): 5-52. Print.

Cohn, Scott. "The Debt That Won't Go Away." CNBC.com. CNBC, 20 Dec. 2012. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnbc.com/id/40680905>.

Gandhi. Dir. Richard Attenborough. By John Briley. Perf. Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, John Mills, Martin Sheen, and Rohini Hattangady. Columbia-E.M.I.-Warner Distributors, 1982.

Goodwin Parker, Jo. What Is Poverty? Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma, 1971. Print.

            Bishaw, Alemayehu. Poverty: 2010 and 2011. Rep. N.p.: U.S. Department of Commerce, 2011. Print.

Harris, Fred R., and Lynn A. Curtis. "Locked in the Poorhouse: Cities, Race, and Poverty in United States." Contemporary Sociology 29.No. 3 (2003): 500-01. Print.

Kymatica. Dir. Ben Stewart. Perf. Ben Stewart. Independent, March 6, 2009. DVD.

Miller, NS, JC Mahler, and MS Gold. "Suicide Risk Associated with Drug and Alcohol Dependence." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1991. Web. 11 Oct. 2012.

Poverty. Http://www.socialworkers.org. National Association of Social Workers, 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012.

Personal Writing

Luke Frantz

English 102 041W

Professor Leslie Jewkes

December 10, 2012

Personal Writing Piece

            What have I learned in life? That might sound like a strange question to some but for me, it is the ultimate quest. Life, from my standpoint always seems to travel in circles. I have found myself, time and time again experiencing the same things with different people, often times leaving me dizzy and confused at my personal behavior. “Can I not learn lessons?” or “am I just destined to relive and experience the same things over and over?” Baffled at how confusing things can be I armored myself with wit and set out to discover what on Earth I was supposed to be doing here.

            I have a tendency to leave jobs on the drop of a nickel. Sometimes creating elaborate stories of self-justification. Though the things I often tell myself are not the complete truth, they can, and do, make hard situations more bearable. Yet, why do I, and why have I struggled with finding purpose through day-to-day life? At first, as a younger man I would blame the job. Often times finding exactly what I was looking for, and that being a reason to leave. “Oh, I just can no longer handle my boss! She is over the top and makes me do this and that! It is time I find a different job!” Being outgoing at first glance I have rarely struggled to find work. People seem to respond well to my personality so finding new friends or a new line of work has never posed a challenge. But as inconsistency goes, I began to notice it in more than just my job.

            As it turns out that little glitch in my mental processing begin to appear as the root cause of my problems. My life felt as though anytime I had anything worthwhile in my hands all I could do was sit back and slowly watch it melt through my fingers. “Why is this happening to me again?” was a lamentation I proclaimed on numerous occasions. Failing to realize it was nothing more than a thought. Somewhere along the lines I decided that perfection was what I needed and anytime those needs were not met, I was on the run.

            From relationship to relationship I sat back and watched as friends came and went. Saddened by the passerby nature of people I decided it was time I take a little mental retreat. Thankfully at this point I was in a situation where I could do just that. Living alone was something I had yet to do, but after another fall out with a close friend I decided it was best. Coincidentally the house I was renting just so happened to belong to an older antique dealer who loved to collect books of a spiritual nature. Within the collection I found a barrage of literature on both the nature of reality and ways to further personal spiritual evolution.

            The next few months I did nothing but read. Blasting through book after book I felt more connected to myself than I ever had in the past. Not only was I in awe of the knowledge being presented to me, but also I was also eternally grateful to the forces that guided my life to this point. Everything seemed to coalesce, and I felt perfection in the process of my failures. Every failure, every flawed relationship had led my life to exactly the place it needed to be. I knew there was no turning back, and determined to find solutions I found just that. Teaching me that life is a reflection of what I, as a person, decide it to be. Through trials I learned to control my breathing, and focus on a world outside myself. I learned to love people, and value friendship, and most of all I learned to love who I was as a person.

            As Bill Hicks so poetically states: ”The world is like a ride in an amusement park and when you choose to go on it you think it's real because that's how powerful our minds are. And the ride goes up and down and around and around and it has thrills and chills and it's very brightly colored and it's very loud. And it's fun - for a while. Some people have been on the ride for a long time, and they begin to question: is this real? Or is this just a ride? And other people have remembered, and they come back to us, and they say, "Hey, don't worry, don't be afraid, ever, because... this is just a ride."

Works Cited

American: The Bill Hicks Story. Dir. Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas. Perf. Bill Hicks.       2009. DVD.

Macklemore- City Dont Sleep and Bibliography

You wanna see change?
Then put your ones in the air,
You think the system that we're living in is not fair?
You wanna see change?
Then put your ones in the air,
Now point 'em to yourself, 'cause change starts right there.
'cause change starts right there.


Bibliography

American: The Bill Hicks Story. Dir. Matt Harlock and Paul Thomas. Perf. Bill Hicks. 2009. DVD.

Bothof, Abbe E. "Questions on Poverty." Personal interview. 7 Oct. 2012.

Caner, Asena, and Edward Wolff. "Asset Poverty in the United States, 1984-1999." M.E. Sharpe Journals 47.1 (2004): 5-52. Print.

Cohn, Scott. "The Debt That Won't Go Away." CNBC.com. CNBC, 20 Dec. 2012. Web. 27 Sept. 2012. <http://www.cnbc.com/id/40680905>.

Gandhi. Dir. Richard Attenborough. By John Briley. Perf. Ben Kingsley, Candice Bergen, Edward Fox, John Gielgud, Trevor Howard, John Mills, Martin Sheen, and Rohini Hattangady. Columbia-E.M.I.-Warner Distributors, 1982.

Goodwin Parker, Jo. What Is Poverty? Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma, 1971. Print.

Bishaw, Alemayehu. Poverty: 2010 and 2011. Rep. N.p.: U.S. Department of Commerce, 2011. Print.

Harris, Fred R., and Lynn A. Curtis. "Locked in the Poorhouse: Cities, Race, and Poverty in the United States." Contemporary Sociology 29.No. 3 (2003): 500-01. Print.

Kymatica. Dir. Ben Stewart. Perf. Ben Stewart. Independent, March 6, 2009. DVD.

Miller, NS, JC Mahler, and MS Gold. "Suicide Risk Associated with Drug and Alcohol Dependence." National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1991. Web. 11 Oct. 2012.

Poverty. Http://www.socialworkers.org. National Association of Social Workers, 2012. Web. 08 Oct. 2012.

Romney, Mitt. "Mitt Romney's Acceptance Speech." Republican National Convention. Florida, Tampa. 14 Oct. 2012. Speech.

Sarkar, Saral K., and Guerrero Gabriela. Calderón. The Crises of Capitalism: A Different Study of Political Economy. Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint, 2012. Print.

See, Katherine O'Sullivan. "Comments from the Special Issue Editor: Approaching Poverty in the United States." Social Problems 38.4 (1991): 427-32. Print.

Spencer, Susan. "Examining the Broad Reach of Depression." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 18 Mar. 2012. Web. 17 Oct. 2012.

Stiglitz, Joseph E. The Price of Inequality: [How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future]. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2012. Print.

Yen, Hope. "US Poverty Rate Projected to Hit Highest Level since ’60s." BostonGlobe.com. Associated Press, 23 July 2012. Web. 07 Oct. 2012.

"11 Facts about Global Poverty." Do Something. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2012. <http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-global-poverty>.

Children Underground. Dir. Edet Belzberg. 2001. DVD.

Domhoff, William. "Who Rules America: Wealth, Income, and Power." Who Rules America: Wealth, Income, and Power. N.p., Oct. 2012. Web. 13 Nov. 2012. <http://www2.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/wealth.html>.

Foster Gamble. Donate. Dir.  Thrive. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Dec. 2012. <http://www.thrivemovement.com/>.

The Great Dictator. Dir. Charlie Chaplin. Perf. Charlie Chaplin. 1940. DVD.

Grossman, Lev. "Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews." Time. Time, n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2048299,00.html>.

Matthews, Hannah. "When a Headline Isn't News: Child Poverty Persists." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 12 Sept. 2012. Web. 14 Nov. 2012. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/hannah-matthews/when-a-headline-isnt-news_b_1877626.html>.

"Poverty Facts and Stats." - Global Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2012. <http://www.globalissues.org/article/26/poverty-facts-and-stats>.

St. Clair, Asunción. "Global Poverty: Development Ethics Meets Global Justice." Globalizations 3.2 (2006): 139-58. Print.

"Tackling Global Poverty." Nature Nanotechnology 2.11 (2007): n. pag. Academic Search Complete. Web. 04 Dec. 2012.

Personal Writing

Luke Frantz

Professor Leslie Jewkes

English 102 041W

December 10, 2012

Personal Dilemma

            As the beginning of the year began I knew I was in a strange place. Being in a job that seemed to get progressively worse with each passing day, accompanied by the hard truth that the money needed for a sustainable life was nowhere close left me feeling like rock bottom was vastly approaching. This dreadful feeling was soon followed by the death of both my grandparents, and a breakup that left my heart in shambles. These problems left me in a delirious state where inspiration was hard to arouse, and disorientation as to the “natural order of things” drowned out all my senses. Being determined to find a balance between my racing mind and the tasks set out before me I knew I was in for a ride.

            Being as I have a tendency to over respond to situations that deal with stress I was certain that doom was on the horizon. For as far back as I can remember cultivating creative, beneficial solutions has come as a problem. My personality tends to draw struggles inward and steppingstones to growth begin to appear more as roadblocks than tools to help better understand “myself” and the world around me. Deep down there seems to be something buried in my past. Something I have been on the verge of unearthing many times, yet, each circumstance when the answers begin to appear a dreadful feeling of terror draws me away, and silently explains: “it is better you forget.”

            Time and time I have asked myself if this is merely a creation of imagination or rather an event that my mind is shielding me from? Growing up I had a wonderful childhood. With love from my parents and a large group of friends everything seemed great. I was lucky enough to be blessed with a family who let me express my creativity through whatever outlet I choose, often leading to late night adventures with friends and pushing my personal limits in whatever task was set out before me.

            As time progressively moved forward depression and confusion took hold. That childlike sense of freedom had been replaced with sadness and a misunderstanding of the world. At a young age I was forced to see a psychiatrist, and shortly after was given a prescription to medication that was supposedly going to balance my emotions. Wanting an instant cure I blindly ingested the chemicals not knowing what the outcome would be. Months went by and a gradual feeling of detachment set in. I was numb. I felt nothing. My surroundings went from color to black and white, and as my mind slowed, so did the truth that something was wrong. As nice of a vacation it was from my mind I began to miss the person I let go of before I started taking the drugs.

            This mental battle went on for years, and as my body became more dependent on the chemicals the harder it became to live without them. In 2008 I lost a friend to his own hand. He, much like myself struggled with depression and after a long battle with personal demons decided to end his own life. That terrible feeling that swept over me when I heard the news was the most I had felt in years. A void of confusion entered my heart, as did the presence of my departed friend. I broke down in tears remembering the last time we spoke, and at this very moment realized I needed a better way to live. I needed to feel and experience life- even if it did hurt. I needed to conquer obstacles and strive for a future that would make both myself, and my family proud. At that very moment everything became clear: as did the solution to my problem. Living in a dense fog of personal doubt I had shut myself in from the outside world. I became so afraid of life that I forgot to pause, and focus on all the wonderful things around me. I had forgotten the importance of acceptance, and in doing so lost something vital which was myself. Shortly after the emotions wore something else dawned on me. That feeling of terror I had once been so afraid of was nothing more than a warning that my life was drifting off course. It wasn’t that something bad that had happened in my past, it was rather a warning that if I continued down the same path it would be my future that was affected.

            With this I found an interesting truth and a dichotomy as to the nature of all things. This terrible loss helped aid in how off course things had drifted in my life. Through his death I understood how important it was to love and share my feelings with people, and to also help them. His death offered me the chance to examine myself through his decision, and in doing so I found the importance of life, and the value of his friendship. Should he be thanked for this? I wish I had an answer to that question, and at times makes me feel guilty in saying so, but his death helped save my life. I guess sometimes bad things have to happen for good to result- but it is always refreshing to know that within the saddest situations life has to offer if looking hard enough great things can always be spotted.

Poverty Brochure

Interview with Abbe Bothof

Hi Abbe,

            Thanks again so much for doing this for me. I know last time we spoke on the phone you said you would do your best, and that is all I ask. I have compiled a handful of questions revolving around poverty and the inherent affects it has on the community and people alike. Go ahead and take your time and shoot me an e-mail when you finish. Thanks again! You are a lifesaver!

Sincerely,

Luke Frantz

1. When you hear that someone is living in poverty, what does poverty mean to you?

When someone is living in poverty it means (this is my personal opinion) they are not able to make their needs meant.  Meaning they can not afford the basic necessitys, such as food, clothing, shelter, etc.  Poverty could also mean being homeless, living in cars, relatives, hotels. 

2. What are some of the causes of poverty?

Lack of employment, not making enough money at current job, not enough money to go around, drugs, mental illness, basically anything you could be addicted to could cause poverty.

3. How much of the poverty that you see is situational and how much is generational (family history)? How has poverty changed with the recent economic downturn?

I firmly believe that poverty has a family history.  Just like teen moms are more likely to have children that have babies as teens, poverty is the same way.  Poverty is situational as well, so many people have been hit hard by the economic downturn.  Poverty will only be a result of one losing their job and being unable to find another, or finding one that makes less money.

4. What type of resources do people in poverty have available to them?

Luke I am not sure about this one.  I would say for you to check local resources.  All I can think of is the Salvation Army, DI, or churches.

5. How does poverty affect children? How does it affect the elderly?

Poverty is horrible for the elderly.  They are already living on fixed incomes (SS and Medicare) anything more on their budget is detrimental.

6. How are we as a country, a state, or a city contributing to keeping people in poverty?

There are very few jobs being created, we ship our jobs overseas to save costs, rising costs, college is too costely.  People cant even catch up to get out of poverty.

Letter of inquiry to Benjamin Stewert

Hi Ben,

            As we last spoke I informed you I had an upcoming paper due in English. This essay is going to be written in response to poverty, both locally and internationally and I believe having your opinion and insight into the matter would help strengthen my papers arguments. I realize you are busy, as we all tend to be so I will do my personal best to keep the questions short. Below I will leave a list of questions so go ahead and answer them at your discretion. I would personally like a single thorough answer than five half answers, so that might be something to keep in mind. Again, I look forward to hear back from you. Thanks a bunch!

Sincerely,

Luke Frantz

1. What are ways people escape poverty?

2. Can you think of any resources that need to be in place for “us” to help those in poverty?

3. What barriers do you see in helping people who struggle with poverty?

4. Do you believe that the resources being provided to those in poverty encourage people to stay in poverty? (government housing, school lunch program, food banks, shelters, etc.)

5. What is one thing I could do as an individual to help eliminate poverty?

*RECEIVED NO RESPONSE

Film Analysis of Children Underground

Luke Frantz

English 102 041W      

Professor Leslie Jewkes

November 12, 2012

Beneath the Surface

            The documentary “Children Underground” demonstrated moments of drama; it depicts sadness on a scale unseen by many Americans with the all too common truth of how cruel children can be to one another; even under horrific circumstances. Poverty across the world is always a depressing reality with “over 600 million children worldwide living in absolute poverty - an estimated 1 in 4” (CHIP). There are many similarities and differences on this unfortunate matter both within the United States and around the globe.      

            The picture takes you underground with a rather small group of children; both a mixture of boys and girls that are forced, or have at some point chosen to live in a railway system beneath a Romanian city. The film’s premise is a first hand look into the lives and struggles these young children have to endure while surviving under horrid living conditions. With nearly ten million children under the age of five dying each year from preventable causes (CHIP), the film depicts the wretched effects that poverty has on these young children, pertaining to the rape of young girls, the savage beatings for possession of food and drugs, and the creative ways these children learn to survive. Although in other countries there will always be differences in relation to poverty, these characteristics draw similar patterns to poverty in the United States. For example: 21% of children live in families that live below the federal poverty level which is $22,350 per year for a family of four (Child Poverty). It goes to show that no matter where you are located on a map serves no matter: “child poverty threatens not only the individual child, but is likely to be passed on to future generations, entrenching and even exacerbating inequality in society” (Social and Economic Policy).

            With 20,000 homeless children alone in Romania this issue breaches on the seams of an epidemic.  After the Cold War a ban was placed on abortion and contraceptives leaving thousands of children and families homeless or in atrocious living conditions (Children Underground). Romania is ranked highest in rates of child poverty around the world, with the United States coming in a close second (Knafo, Saki). Families in Romania were having kids they could not support, and these conditions led many to run away from home finding shelter and comfort with people who have undergone similar circumstances. The daily life of these children involves foraging for food, begging for money, and getting high on a paint substance called Aurolac that is huffed through plastic bags. While observing a feeling of despair and helplessness, there appeared to be a notion that something should be done for these children, for instance, some type of government intervention or housing programs to get their lives on track. Yet, sadly, there are very few programs in place that can offer a fresh start or a family to nurture and teach them advantageous life skills. Malnutrition at a young age can also lead to learning disorders and poor health (CHIP), which can in turn effect the rest of their lives. These young years of development are crucial for laying the ground work for the type of people they will become, so not only will it effect their adolescence; it could also be detrimental to their adulthood.

            Living in an underground train station during adolescence and battling drug addiction, while most children are safely in bed under the protection of their parents or guardians, is a luxury many of these children have never known. Scene by scene, you become more familiar with the children, their problems, and their life story. As this awareness arises so does the question of why? And how? This is an all too tragic occurrence that the natives of Romania seem desensitized to and the look of annoyance is more prevalent than sorrow. As the story builds, you come to the conclusion that there will be no ending. That yes, the cameras will be shut off and the credits will roll, but there was no real solution: that the film was simply providing an inside look into the lives of these Romanian children.

            It is clear how the attitude of the kids is greatly affected by their use of huffing Aurolac. They feel as though everything negative done in their life is rooted to the faults of their parents or parental figures. They fail to realize the continuous drug use is a major reason as to why they blame others for their actions. This too can be seen with drug abuse all around the world. Huffing the substance results in a fog that obscures perception; a fog so dense they fail to see any other alternatives. Ana (a young girl in the film) is a prime example of how drug abuse can lead to feelings of suicide and hopelessness. Her inability to see her actions as detrimental has guided her to the brink of death. Ana comes from a decent family with a loving mother, yet, the family is poor and without work in which they can no longer afford to feed or take care of Ana and her younger brother, Mihai. These circumstances lead Ana to take her younger brother on the streets of Romania where they now battle with addiction and struggle with acquiring basic necessities like water. These issues might seem extreme, but Ana remarks on numerous occasions on how she and her brother prefer life on the streets to life at home. Nearly all the children have similar stories in that they felt forced or at some point decided to leave home. The freedom of not having to worry about school or abuse lead many of the kids to a life on the street. A life maybe not suitable for everyone, but a life that the children have found comfort in.

            So why? And what was the point? Awareness is power, but awareness is also disheartening as the truth can often times sting. These correlations reflect poverty across the United States, but not nearly under as drastic of scale. Programs world-wide have been implemented in the effort to illuminate poverty but with family dynamics always shifting and child abuse happening all over the world, extinguishing the problem is a far away goal. Really, all we can do, as it currently seems, is draw similarities into our own culture, help fight the problem here, take what lessons we have learned on our own door step then share the results with the world.

            As the film comes to a close it does display that through all the angst and sorrow that sometimes a little bit of light does shine through a tunnel of darkness.  Mihai, one of the main children followed and examined throughout the film, seems as if he is on the brink of becoming tangled in the coils of the streets, and becoming addicted to the downward spiral of a life of poverty.  His sister Ana has major problems and they both have unspoken issues at home that lead them to the streets of Bucharest.  Right when it seems inevitable that yet another child is going to fall victim to a short life of drugs and sleeping on the cold concrete of a dark and dangerous subway; filled with competition and abuse, the kids get word that they can now move back home. This was due to government intervention and the threat of fines and child endangerment if the family continued to allow Ana and Mihai to live on the streets. Yet, with an over abundance of sadness it still brought a smile to the face to see at least one happy ending.

            “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew) is a Bible verse that has always stood out. It speaks on behalf of the hardships we endure during this life, but provides hope for a better chance in the next. When all has been taken we learn to appreciate the little things, and we grow stronger. Though unfortunate, with the sacrifices these children make on the streets we are given an opportunity to help correct the issue through understanding the problems and searching for creative solutions.

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

      

Ch il

Children Underground. Dir. Edet Belzberg. 2001. DVD.

 

Matthew. King James Bible. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print.

 

Knafo, Saki. "U.S. Child Poverty Second Highest Among Developed Nations: Report." The         

 

            Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 30 May 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012.       

 

            <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/30/us-child-poverty-report       

 

            unicef_n_1555533.html>.

"CHIP - Knowledge for Tackling Childhood Poverty." Childhood Poverty Research and Policy    

            Centre -. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Nov. 2012. <http://www.childhoodpoverty.org/>.

"Social and Economic Policy." UNICEF. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012.     

            <http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_childpoverty.html>.

"Child Poverty." NCCP. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012.      

            <http://www.nccp.org/topics/childpoverty.