Not only are these trends not sustainable, but they continue to put tens of millions of Americans on a collision course with financial disaster. Moreover, this nation’s economic disparities are a threat to its very future.
Clarence Hightower
Dr. Clarence Hightower is a visionary leader with more than 37 years of nonprofit
experience in the Twin Cities. He is the current executive director of the Community Action
Partnership of Hennepin County, one of the largest anti-poverty organizations in the area and the state’s largest Energy Assistance program. He welcomes reader responses to chightower@caphennepin.org.
Posted inOpinion
Much-maligned immigrants help America live up to its promise
The debate over immigration in America, “illegal” or otherwise, is as old as the republic itself. The likes of Thomas Paine, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson addressed the virtues of immigration in the late 18th century, as would many who followed in their footsteps.
Posted inOpinion
Strategies proposed for raising people from poverty
Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and supported by the Washington, D.C.-based Urban Institute, this partnership set out to design and implement a series of comprehensive strategies to support current best practices and discover new and innovative approaches to help lift people out of poverty.
Posted inEducation, Opinion
The power of belief as an educational tool
In a handful or so of previous columns, I have explored what educators and social scientists have come to call “the word gap.” The research in support of the word gap comes from landmark studies at the University of Kansas and Stanford University, which reveal that by the time a low-income child reaches the age of three they have potentially heard 30 million fewer words than peers who come from higher socioeconomic backgrounds.
Posted inOpinion
All argument aside, millions of Americans struggle daily to make ends meet
The main gist of the research coming out of Stanford, MIT and other places was that both the reality and the threat of poverty were far worse than previously thought. As similar research studies followed, economist Tim Worstall took these claims to task, arguing that American’s true poverty rate was really closer to 4.5 percent.
Posted inOpinion
United Nations report puts U.S. to shame among developed countries
Now, in contrast to America’s “founding commitment to human rights,” all of us will recognize that the United States and “its immense wealth” were built largely on the forced removal of Native peoples from their land, the free labor of African slaves, and myriad other human rights violations.
Posted inOpinion
Fair and affordable housing under constant threat
That particular installment of The Anti-Poverty Soldier also examined recent attempts on the part of many legislators, on both the state and national levels, to gut and perhaps even abolish this law, which was signed exactly one week after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
Posted inOpinion
Stop squandering our most valuable resource – America’s talented youth
That is all any of us could ask for. There is a tremendous reservoir of talent here in Minnesota and across the nation in urban, suburban and rural communities. There is so much potential that goes untapped for no other reason than a lack of opportunity and resources.
Posted inOpinion
Food support should be expanded, not reduced
Here in Hennepin and Ramsey counties, for example, the data suggested only around 60 percent of all eligible households were receiving SNAP benefits.
Posted inOpinion
New ‘Poor People’s Campaign’ revives Dr. King’s vision
The discussion of the Fair Housing Act is particularly relevant today, as there have been numerous efforts in recent years, both underhanded and overt, to undermine and ultimately overturn this essential law (as ineffectual as it has sometimes been).
Posted inOpinion
Remembering the Dreamer…50 years later
And reminding ourselves what we must do to fulfill his dream Last Wednesday, April 4, 2018, marked the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When I first sat down to contemplate this column, I envisioned it to be a personal reflection of what Dr. King meant, and still means to […]
Posted inOpinion
We already know that poverty is a math problem. So, what else is it?
‘Hidden rules of class’ help the poor do more with less Conclusion of a six-part series The culture of poverty has some universal characteristics which transcend regional, rural-urban, and even national differences… There are remarkable similarities in family structure, interpersonal relations, time orientations, value systems, spending patterns, and the sense of community in lower-class settlements […]
Posted inOpinion
We already know that poverty is a math problem. So, what else is it?
Growing up poor can lead to lifelong emotional problems Fourth in a six-part series To grow up in poverty can have a lasting impact on a child. What is less understood is how it affects the early relationships that shape a child’s social and emotional growth. – Abby C. Winer and Ross A. Thompson Chronic stress, […]
Posted inOpinion
We already know that poverty is a math problem. So, what else is it?
Poverty may be America’s greatest public health crisis Second in a six-part series Poverty and poor health worldwide are inextricably linked… Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of poor health. Poverty increases the chances of poor health. Poor health in turn traps communities in poverty. — Health Poverty Action Poverty’s harsh effects on […]
Posted inOpinion
We already know that poverty is a math problem. So, what else is it?
The psychological toll of poverty can be extreme First of a six-part series Poverty is the worst form of violence. — Mahatma Gandhi Poverty is like punishment for a crime you didn’t commit. — Eli Khamarov Poverty is brutal, consuming and unforgiving. It strikes at the soul. — Charles M. Blow Last August, I introduced […]
Posted inOpinion
Access to computer technology is crucial in our digital world
Those left out are at a great disadvantage It’s no longer a luxury. This is serious. It’s really a social justice issue. It’s a 21st century civil rights issue. — Cheptoo Kositany-Buckner Unless the digital divide is narrowed soon, the United States may be headed to the class warfare of a century ago, the last […]
Posted inOpinion
Poverty as a math problem: Public transportation neither convenient nor affordable
Editor’s Note: This is the fifth column in a six-part series under the theme “Poverty is a math problem (and so much more).” It’s often hard for low-income folks to get to their jobs, or even to grocery stores or daycare centers. Some must take two or three buses — that is, if public transportation is […]
Posted inOpinion
Upside-down numbers deprive cost-burdened households of adequate housing
Poverty as a math problem Editor’s Note: This is the fourth column in a six-part series under the theme “Poverty is a math problem (and so much more).” Last month, the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2017 American Community Survey (ACS). One of the most anticipated federal reports that come out each year, the ACS […]
Posted inOpinion
Poverty as a math problem: Why can’t we provide quality education for all?
Editor’s Note: This is the second column in a six-part series under the theme “Poverty is a math problem (and so much more).” Poverty must not be a bar from learning and learning must offer an escape from poverty. — President Lyndon B. Johnson Education is the key to opportunity. It’s a ticket out of […]
Posted inOpinion
Let’s get it straight — Poverty is not a character flaw
Editor’s Note: This is the first column in a six-part series under the theme “Poverty is math problem (and so much more).” (The results of a Pew survey regarding attitudes about poverty indicate that) the roles of privilege, structural inequalities and discriminatory policies seem to have little weight, and the herculean efforts of the working […]