Poor in America: Introduction - Katrina and Outrage
I, as most of the world, watched in horror as Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. What was uncovered was something worse than the storm. It was the conditions that most of the victims of Katrina were in... the conditions before the storm.
Those mostly affected by Katrina's wrath were the poor. Those living in poverty, right here in the United States of America.
I was glued to the television reports on Katrina. I could not believe what I was seeing. I became mad at various people and then latter in that week rage set in. Outrage and anger combined in me. I don't ever remember being so outraged and angered in my entire life. The thing was, I didn't know what I was angrier about - that there were so many people living here in America - the richest country in the world, who were poor and forgotten or that our government failed these individuals on so many levels.
Outrage and anger can destroy you, or if you use them in your efforts to create change - they can end up helping people. I have chosen to take this outrage and anger and redirect it to create positive changes in regards to the poor and working poor in America. It is my hope that we can begin discussing this issue. And hopefully in doing so, create change.
This is an introduction to a series of postings that I'll be doing on the poor & working poor in America. Please feel free to add your comments or any helpful information to the postings.
Here is a good place to start this journey - with words from local Religious Leaders: A Question of faith: Where is religious outrage for the poor?
And then with pictures:
Portraits of Home - Families in Search of Shelter in Greater Minnesota
Those mostly affected by Katrina's wrath were the poor. Those living in poverty, right here in the United States of America.
I was glued to the television reports on Katrina. I could not believe what I was seeing. I became mad at various people and then latter in that week rage set in. Outrage and anger combined in me. I don't ever remember being so outraged and angered in my entire life. The thing was, I didn't know what I was angrier about - that there were so many people living here in America - the richest country in the world, who were poor and forgotten or that our government failed these individuals on so many levels.
Outrage and anger can destroy you, or if you use them in your efforts to create change - they can end up helping people. I have chosen to take this outrage and anger and redirect it to create positive changes in regards to the poor and working poor in America. It is my hope that we can begin discussing this issue. And hopefully in doing so, create change.
This is an introduction to a series of postings that I'll be doing on the poor & working poor in America. Please feel free to add your comments or any helpful information to the postings.
Here is a good place to start this journey - with words from local Religious Leaders: A Question of faith: Where is religious outrage for the poor?
And then with pictures:
Portraits of Home - Families in Search of Shelter in Greater Minnesota
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