Poverty is Never Fashionable
June 6, 2007
This week I’ll be doing a little belated “spring cleaning,” giving you some links that have languished a while on my blog link list.
I’ll begin with a blog written by Theresa Shadrix, a journalist and fashion & style columnist for the Anniston Star. In this entry, also published by the Star, Theresa takes a look at poverty from a somewhat unusual perspective. In the process she helps her readers to recognize the basic humanity of low wealth persons, who want to dress as well as they can – just like everyone else.
Theresa’s background in social work informs her take on the topic. It’s obvious she writes from an aware and interested heart.
Twenty Questions Revisited
Alabama makes an appearance in this series of questions that creatively gives some numbers and data about poverty and related issues. Be sure to note that these figures are based on 2003 numbers. Still packs a punch!
Students Become Teachers for Low Income Pupils
Speaking of entertaining, here’s link to a couple of video clips from “The Colbert Report.” As so often happens on that show, we learn about some good, important stuff that’s making a difference.
In this case, Stephen interviews Wendy Kopp, head of Teach for America, which places recent college grads who commit to two year placements in low wealth communities around the country. More good stuff, y’all.
For the Policy Wonks Among Us
Hungry for more data, analysis and stuff? Take a look at this page on the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities site. Click on Alabama in the USA map for some basic info and then roam around the site for more of what you long for.
Two for the Faithful
Christian Churches Together in the USA is one of the latest efforts to be ecumenical, this time across a quite varied collection of traditions. So when they seek to speak with one voice about poverty, we do well to pay attention.
Read the CCT statement on poverty here. They even set one very worthy goal, halving child poverty in the next ten years.
And here’s one that reports on the words of Diana Garland, recently appearing at Samford University. Diana is dean of the Baylor School of Social Work in Waco and, less notably, a personal friend. She does a good job here of again reminding people of faith what Jesus’ calling is at the root.
Happy linking!
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