Poverty Movement Loses a Champion

While the death of Senator Edward Kennedy will give media types something to do in the waning days of August, one topic will probably get little coverage--poverty.

Despite his silver spoon, Ted Kennedy championed poverty issues. Perhaps he took his older brother seriously when Jack challenged,

"For of those to whom much is given, much is required."

Despite his many foibles, Teddy seemed to reach for this scriptural mandate. And he astutely observed,

No one who works for a living should live in poverty.

Is the end of this Kennedy era the end of compassion?  Will someone, perhaps another Kennedy, grab the end poverty flag and charge up the Hill?

Meeting with a Kennedy staffer a couple of years ago, it seemed obvious that this man cared about the issue of homeless kids. The two formerly homeless teens from Harrisburg who accompanied us, Ben and Chery, had come to DC to (successfully) push for legislation to ease access to college for unaccompanied homeless minors. The Kennedy aide conveyed a sense of respect for their observations and experience, plus he had a stash of good cookies as snacks!

Poverty isn't popular. As an issue, some regard it as the third rail, or the plague. Ending poverty isn't simple. Lives of people mired in poverty reflect the worst that can happen to people. They appear to make "bad choices" but their options are few and their precarious positions make them vulnerable for the sleazy greed-mongers that lurk around every corner. Patience, politics and poverty is a rare combination. Teddy apparently had it.

Despite ample reason for doom and gloom, some sparkles of hope waft over the horizon. The Child Welfare League of America is calling for a White House Conference on Child Welfare. Yeah, part of me says we don't need another meeting on children's issues, but the other part of me realizes this could be an opportunity to coalesce around a platform of issues that really need attention. Hopefully Teddy's spirit will hover over this movement, lending a hand from the heavens.

Seems to me this is a good test for the powers of social networking. In that Kennedy-esque spirit, and as a test of this pop activism's power, HEAR US offers an action to petition legislators and the president to establish the Child Welfare conference. So, if you are one "to whom much has been given," here's your chance. For those who lack the silver spoon, lead the way in calling for action in the name of Ted Kennedy.

photos by the author