Rants and Raves

These days, POVERTY ranting is common and POSITIVE raving is (understandably) rare. Here's a mixture, with food for thought, hopefully more valuable than the free books above. Would love to get a dialog going!

RANTS

• New York City plans to charge homeless families to stay in shelter--a perfect example of clueless bureaucrats! Yes, the families are working. Do the (um, men) “chargers” know what it takes to raise a family, especially in the Big Apple, not to mention what's required to help them out of homelessness? (I'm happy to address contrary opinions--but first "do the math" to see what it takes to get a family back on its feet.)

According to the NYT story, Robert V. Hess (rumor has him in line for the next US "homeless czar" ), the city’s commissioner of homeless services, stated,

“I think it’s hard to argue that families that can contribute to their shelter cost shouldn’t...I don’t see this playing out in an adverse way. Our objective is not for families to remain in shelter. Our objective is to move families back into their own homes and into the community.”

Oh my…stay in a shelter for a night and then talk about what you’re willing to pay. And I’m a former shelter director who’s done my share of overnights. If you’re the guy that might become the national homelessness “czar” you need a clue. Email Mr. Hess and let him know the flaws of his thinking.  Shannon's post on this story.

• The Ivory Tower bozos who think the economy is improving enough to take a breath…I’m glad NYT columnist Bob Herbert called you on it. Check with the little people—those who bag your groceries, wait on your table, clean your clothes, deliver your newspapers, etc.—and ask them if they think the economic turmoil has settled. Uh, no.

I'll be accused of being simplistic, but I think a little accountability for, er, like ravaging the global economy, environment, etc., could go a long way in restoring humanity. Of course, it might mean that those who got rich by "shenanigans" work a few shifts in shelters and soup kitchens....

RAVES

• Impoverished families, often single-mother-led, don’t live in the posh neighborhoods. More often, you can find them in seedy trailer parks, dilapidated high rises, or bedraggled neighborhoods on the other side of the tracks. Contagious despair spreads like the swine flu, devastating everyone in its path. But poor women are not stupid women. And the story about 2 women who decided to change status quo is worth listening to and sharing. (This tale was recently broadcast on American Public Media's The Story, one of my favorite listens while I drive cross country/town.)

I've been in awe of the homeless/formerly homeless mothers I've gotten to know as I've filmed our documentary, On the Edge, with my esteemed colleague, Dr. Laura Vazquez. Our goal: to expose viewers to the realities facing families living on the edge of homelessness. (This doc is in production, more later!) These women are an untapped resource for attacking poverty.

• Stuff your excuses under the bed…if you have one. Here’s an 11-year-old boy who puts me to shame. Zach is walking to the White House to raise awareness about homeless children. He started in Tampa, where he lives with his family. Our paths almost crossed when he finished that leg of his walk in Atlanta this past November. Now he’s finishing the job, hoping to meet with President Obama. This campaign is called, "From My House to the White House." HEAR US, my organization, proudly supports his efforts and would like lots of others to do the same—visit our HEAR US Action Alert.

Prove me wrong! I am skeptical about the power of these alerts to change the system! But if we get bazillion messages to President Obama...and he takes this issue seriously and meets with Zach...well, I'll donate my lunch money to HEAR US!

Seems to me we need to shake up this goofy world that has turned common sense on its ear. Nothing like a good rant and rave to make a person feel better! Add your rants/raves...and let's see what happens!

photos by the author