To be poor in America today, even more than in the past, is to be an outcast in your own country. And that, the neuroscientists tell us, is what poisons a child’s brain.
peace,
will
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
But First...
I hope to start today writing about the ordination process (see previous post). However, I wanted to first share this op-ed piece from Paul Krugman of The New York Times. I am often frustrated when people believe that everyone in America has the same shot at a full an abundant life. Where and when we are born has a massive impact on the possibilities that are before us. Sure it is possible for a poor kid from inner-city Philadelphia to grow up to be a senator, an astronaut, a pro quarterback or a C.E.O.. However, it the it is statistically less probable than for a rich kid from Martha's Vineyard. There are lots of reasons for this and Krugman talks a little bit about the science behind it.
peace,
will
peace,
will
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1 comment:
I want to repost a comment I receive via email regarding this post. It is a really in depth reply and it makes some really great points. My response is at the end.
Will,
I just tripped over your “Sure it is possible for a poor kid from inner-city Philadelphia to grow up to be a senator, an astronaut, a pro quarterback or a C.E.O.. However, it is statistically less probable than for a rich kid from Martha's Vineyard.“
Now that is a real misunderstanding of the Vineyard. Call the local Methodist minister on the Island, and ask her how many rich kids live on Martha’s Vineyard. I was born and raised there (within the Methodist church, the Whaling Church), the son of a fisherman who was born and raised there, also the son of a fisherman. Not even one percent were rich, probably not even one tenth of one percent. I visit regularly and don’t believe that it has changed much, although the year round population is financially better off now, it’s still far from rich.
Even places can be stereotyped, misrepresented and cheapened in the process. Many rich kids and their rich parents visit during the summer, but they don’t stay. If they do stay, it’s for retirement and not to raise their kids. The Island has become an icon for cheap slaps, which on one level is amusing but is also frustrating to see anything so misrepresented. You will not find a harder working population. I know, I worked my way through Katama University alongside my grandfather and father and many other islanders. Research Katama University. When you understand it’s philosophy you will have a better understanding of the Vineyard and then can legitimately and accurately refer to it in your writings. Take a course there and it will serve you well. It will give you a strong back, a deep respect for the natural world, many good fresh meals, an open mind that is repellant to stereotyping, and a sense of humor as a bonus. If you can’t find information on Katama University, let me know and I will send you some literature.
As I reread this e-mail it sounds more serious than was intended. I really do laugh when I see the Islanders portrayed this way. I have a Google News Alert that sends me all articles and blogs that have the words “Martha’s Vineyard” in them, so I see tons of such references, often proceeded by “white wine drinking” or some other such stereotype. It is amusing…. I have never responded to any before, but somehow felt that with your background and obvious sensitivities that you would probably appreciate being pointed in the right direction. I too had read the Krugman article in today’s paper.
To be accurate though, we were rich, very rich, in the natural beauty and good neighbors that surrounded us. We also didn’t know that we were poor, only that the summer people sure had a lot of money and were very willing to share a bit of it with us for maintaining their summer homes and yachts, carrying their golf bags etc. All of us, rich and poor, shared the beaches, ocean and other riches of the Island and often each other. So ultimately, you were probably accurate in noting that for “a poor kid from inner-city Philadelphia to grow up to be a senator … is statistically less probable than for a ... kid from Martha’s vineyard.” Note that I omitted the word “rich,” but that defeats your point. You are actually only comparing urban poor to rural poor, working rural poor, when your focus is properly rich vs. poor. I’d suggest that if you want to keep that analogy you refer to the rich kids from Nantucket.
Ralston
My reply:
Ralston,
Thanks for the detailed reply. I would like your permission to post it as a comment to my original posting. I love exposing the little shadows of ignorance that we stumble into (even when they are my own.) There is no good done in exposing the marginalization of one group by incorrectly stereotyping and therefore marginalizing another. And I should know better than to fall into an East Coast stereotype. I grew up in a farm town outside Buffalo, New York and when folks here in Texas hear I am from New York, they assume I am either a rich kid from Manhattan or a rough and tumble type from Hell's Kitchen.
Thank you for dialog. A little better understanding goes a long way toward a lot more peace.
peace,
will
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