Blog 1, section 2: Reflection Paper about the Peace Conference

"A Peace of My Mind" photo exhibit - Northeastern Illinois University

"A Peace of My Mind" photo exhibit by a photographer named John Noltner, displayed on the second floor of the Student Union building at Northeastern Illinois University was an extremely moving and inspiring display. The exhibit consisted of pictures of people from different races and cultures around the world. These pictures came with each and every individual’s definition of peace, their personal encounters with the struggles for peace, and how they feel it should be carried out within their lives. The overall idea of this exhibit's message consisted of, the more we speak and share our thoughts about peace the more likely we are to achieve it.

Particularly, a woman named Kim Smith (depicted above), a writer, a poet, and a rapper, states "Peace in my life would be the state of oneness with everything, that sense of no conflict, no stress, and no strife. Complete ease." She feels that we do not really trust one another and once we begin to build that trust, only then we may begin to fully listen to one another and eliminate stereotypes and respond with Love. "The ongoing goal of “A Peace of My Mind” is to create an environment wherever it is shown in which people can share their thoughts about peace, as well as to create a body of work that can help us understand one another a little bit better" (NEIU, 2011).

Blog 1, section 7: Entry 2 - Pertaining to poverty in Chicago within the last year

"1 in 5 Chicagoans Uncertain About Next Meal"

Author: FOX Chicago News

Published : 22 Sep 2011

FOX Chicago News Reports

Chicago - "A new study found that about one in five people who live in Chicago are uncertain where they will find their next meal. The survey by the Greater Chicago Food Depository showed that the highest rates of food insecurity are in the Riverdale, Washington Park, Englewood, and North Lawndale neighborhoods" (myFOXchicago.com, 2011) The Greater Chicago Food Depository will use these new results to assist in increasing their ‘food distribution and program outreach’ to those that require the most assistance.

According to the Chicago Tribune “Amid a still struggling economy, more Americans fell below the poverty line last year, according to new census data released Tuesday…The nation's poverty rate rose to 15.1 percent in 2010, its highest level since 1993. About 46.2 million people are considered in need” (Nation's Poverty Rate Climbs To 15.1%, Highest in 18 years, 2011)

Blog 1, section 6: Mark Robert Rank's, "Why American Poverty Affects Us All" part 1 Entry 2

I agree with Robert Rank's use of applying the multiplier of 3 to create a real sense of the official poverty line for a family or an individual. However, when inflation is not accounted for and the difference in the cost of living within each state is ignored, the multiplier of 3 quickly becomes ineffective. For instance, Washington has the second highest cost for housing in the nation and the multiplier of 3 within Washington will have to account for increased taxes, higher rent and utilities, and raised food prices. If inflation is indeed accounted for, Rank’s multiplier of 3 may be an efficient approach in eliminating the existence of poverty. This method controls spending out of incomes and creates responsibility and management for a family and an individual’s well being. In my opinion, measuring the poverty rate within this process is necessary because not being able to provide your family with a healthy and safe environment should be considered below the poverty rate because assistance is needed.

Blog 1, section 6: Mark Robert Rank's, "Why American Poverty Affects Us All" part 1 Entry 1

One of Rank's contentions on his view of the definition of poverty, he states, is "poverty is partially in the eye of the beholder...the devil lies in the details" (Why American Poverty Affects Us All, pg.21). He believes that the multiplier of 3 needs to be applied in order to create a real sense of the official poverty line for a family or an individual. Rank supports this belief by presenting examples of the wage rate a family of four must meet to live just above the poverty line and maintain an essential diet. He states, "A family of four would need to spend $6,130.67 to purchase such a diet in 2002. This figure is then multiplied by 3 (in the sample case $6,130.67 x 3 = $18,392), which constitutes the official poverty rate for a family of four" (Why American Poverty Affects Us All, pg.22). He believes that 1/3 of a family's income is spent on food and the residual 2/3 of the income is spent on clothing and utilities. Due to this reasoning, $6,130.67 is just enough money to provide for a family of four while sustaining the basic needs of survival. He also states that “For a family of 4 -- $18,392…comes out to $118 a week, $16.86 a day…assuming that family members eat 3 meals a day…” the remaining “$12,261—provides our family with $263 per week for other expenses” (Why American Poverty Affects Us All, pg.23). Lastly, he supports his argument by applying the average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment along with the expenses they may have left for the week to keep up with the necessary requirements to maintain a healthy environment for their family. 

Blog 1, section 7: Entry 1 - Pertaining to poverty in Chicago within the last year

"Chicago Housing Initiative Questions CHA's Vacant Public Housing Units"

Author: Joanie Lum, FOX Chicago News
Published: 20 Sep 2011

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/metro/chicago-housing-initiative-protest-vacant--public-housing-units-cha-20110920?CMP=201109_emailshare

Chicago - "Protesters plan to call out the Chicago Housing Authority over public housing Tuesday" (Lum, 2011). Chicago poverty is on the rise and there is great requirement for housing within the Chicago area because of the growing number of individuals living in poor quality conditions. “The Chicago Housing Initiative stated that 68,000 families are in line for suitable housing in the city. The group will hold a news conference and demonstration at Clybourn and Leavitt Tuesday morning September 20, 2011 at 9 a.m” (Lum, 2011).

The protesters’ agenda is to make light of the details that The Chicago Housing Authority has “21,900 units available, but it is only providing housing for 15,760 families. That means more than 6,000 units are unaccounted for. The program plans to meet with The Chicago Housing Authority, and demand that they reach full occupancy in the year 2012" (Lum, 2011). The idea that help is essential and The Chicago Housing Authority has the audacity to withhold available sources for the needy is difficult to comprehend and protestors are demanding an explanation for their actions this very instant.

Blog 1, section 4: What I think 'should be' the legal definition of poverty

The legal definition of poverty, in my personal opinion, should be ‘the inability to meet the basic needs to survive due to their lack of income due to governmental deficiencies, layoffs, and health related obligations’. These conditions should be considered extreme poverty and help should be provided above all else. Failing to obtain help from the government within these defined extreme poverty conditions, when aid is considered necessary, I feel, is the reason for our nation’s rise in poverty. The inability to escape from this underprivileged standard of living and provide themselves and their family with a safe and healthy environment requires considerable attention. Without assistance, breaking free from the cycle of poverty, and lowering the poverty rate itself may be an impossible task.

Blog 1, section 4: My personal definition of poverty

My personal definition of poverty is an individual or family that is unable to meet the basic needs to survive, not having the ability to perform basic tasks, and not capable of maintaining an effective way of life in society due to their lack of income. Falling short of providing their family or themselves with the essentials to maintain an adequate diet, obtain a quality education, access to healthcare, and having a roof over your head, I personally feel, should be considered underprivileged and living in poverty. Children’s exposure to poor quality conditions should be considered a tremendous problem and must have access to local or government assistance.  

Blog 1, section 5: City in the Poverty - Boston, Massachusetts

According to the 2010 Mayors report, in Boston, Massachusetts, 34,355,671 pounds of food were distributed to food pantries and emergency kitchens over the last year. The total quantity of food distributed increased by 4% over the last year, the total budget for emergency food assistance this year totaled $11,270,000, and Boston’s overall budget for emergency food purchases decreased by 4% over the last yearAn article on openmediaboston.org called “As Poverty Grows in Boston, Progressive Solutions Are Lacking”, believes poverty is on the rise! Jobs are being cut monthly and “salary increase is trailing inflation, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.” In 2007, "1 in 5 Boston individuals and families continue to live below the federal poverty threshold. Almost twice that many live in economic hardship (defined as 200% of poverty). Almost half of all adults living in poverty worked full or part-time jobs in 2007." Boston has continuously experiences racial and gender gaps in income and poverty and “Residents of Latino, Asian and African-American heritage are much more likely to live in poverty than White residents."
The article also states that “the local middle class (and working class) in Boston is fading, leaving a small number of upper class households on top of the local income distribution and a growing number of poor households on the bottom. Most of Boston's lowest-wage industries are growing faster than high-wage industries, so miserable service economy jobs continue to replace solid jobs further up the employment food chain.”

According to the Economic Statistics for Boston, Massachusetts:

Families                                  116,657

Less than $10,000                   12,602     10.8%

$10,000 to $14,999                  7,118        6.1%

$15,000 to $24,999                  13,348    11.4%

Families                                  17,892 

Percent below poverty level        (X)        15.3%

With related children                13,811       (X)

under 18 years

Percent below poverty level        (X)         22.2%

With related children                 6,534        (X)

under 5 years

Percent below poverty level        (X)          24.5%

Blog 1, section 3: Short paper on the poverty level in Illinois 2011

“Illinois Poverty Levels Continue To Surge Upward, New Data Shows”

Author: HuffPost News
Published: 14 Sept 2011

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/14/illinois-poverty-on-rise_n_962420.html

According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2011 “Illinois is currently home to more poor people than was the case nearly two decades ago.” More than 1.82 million people lived at or below the poverty level in Illinois last year compared to 1.69 million in the year before, an increase of 14.1 percent from 13.2 percent in 2009 (Chicago Sun-Times, 2011). Limited access to basic needs can cause psychological and social difficulties within a family. Inadequate sources within schools in Illinois such as absence of up-to-date books, computers, insufficient healthcare, and diet affects the ability for children to obtain the appropriate education to break the cycle of poverty. Allegedly, children living within poverty are at a higher rate of continuing the cycle of poverty than children with no experience of poverty.

The poverty figures are being felt locally at food pantries, low-income resource centers and homeless shelters throughout the Chicago land area (Chicago Tribune, 2011). Shelters are serving almost double the amount of people within the last year than ever before. According to a report issued late last year by the Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights, emphasized that child poverty rates and "extreme poverty" rates -- the number of those living on less than half the federal poverty threshold -- has also been steadily on the rise over the past decade (HuffPost News, 2011). Also, according to the Associated Press, University of Chicago professor Bruce Meyer said the worst still be coming down the pike in terms of poverty levels both in Illinois and nationwide as demand continues to increase for food stamps and other government assistance (HuffPost News, 2011). Ultimately, improving education and access to adequate healthcare for the underprivileged will not only create a better learning environment for our children, it will also improve family life and assist in breaking free from the cycle of poverty, thus, lowering the poverty rate throughout the world one family at a time.

Blog 1, section 1: Entry 1 - News Paper Articles from September

"U.S. Child Poverty Rate Soars to 20%"

Author : Kate Randall
Published : 19 August 2011

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2011/aug2011/pove-a19.shtml

Poverty in America has been a relentless problem throughout society and more children seem to be living in poverty more than ever. Families are skipping meals and children are going to bed hungry. Kate Randall states, "One in five US children lives in poverty...child poverty grew in 38 of 50 states over the past decade" (U.S. Child Poverty Rate Soars to 20%, para. 1). Homelessness tends to be an ongoing trend, passing on from generation to generation. Children growing up in poverty have an increasingly higher rate of continuing the cycle of poverty than those with no exposure to poverty. Lack of access to a nutritious diet, Medicare, housing, and basic needs in school that assist in obtaining an adequate education. These are factors that contribute to developmental problems and disabilities within children, as well as increased stress that can lead to depression, and anxiety. Kate Randall also states "Nearly 8 million children lived with at least one parent who was actively seeking employment but was unemployed in 2010" (U.S. Child Poverty Rate Soars to 20%, para. 2). Therefore, it seems the cycle of poverty is escalating with no end in sight. Assistance to impoverished families such as SNAP food programs and Medicaid are an option, however, states seem to be decreasing the amount of availability due to the country's economic downfall. Families are then left to fend for themselves as the country begins to blame poor individuals for their own adversities, rather than seeking problems within society itself.

Blog 1, section 1: Entry 2 - News Paper Articles from September

"How America Criminalized Poverty"
Author: Barbara Ehrenreich
publication: 10 August 2011

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/aug/10/america-poverty-criminalised

There has been an ongoing difference of opinion on the views of poverty throughout history. Negative views create negative outcomes, thus, the idea that being poor as the result of laziness is believed to be in opposition to the societal order generating the idea that homelessness must be criminalized. According to Barbara Ehrenreich’s article, Kaaryn Gustafson of the University of Connecticut Law School states,“Applying for welfare is a lot like being booked by the police. There may be a mug shot, fingerprinting, and lengthy interrogations as to one's children's true paternity. The ostensible goal is to prevent welfare fraud, but the psychological impact is to turn poverty itself into a kind of crime” (How America Criminalized Poverty, para. 28). Barbara Ehrenreich also feels that” the constant suspicions of drug use and theft that I encountered in low-wage workplaces should have alerted me to the fact that, when you leave the relative safety of the middle class, you might as well have given up your citizenship and taken residence in a hostile nation” (How America Criminalized Poverty, para. 30). Criminalization of poverty has increased through the rise of poverty itself. Many states outlaw begging, cracking down on the indigent, and raiding homeless shelters in search of individuals with outstanding warrants such as “criminal trespassing” as sleeping on the streets. They are then pulled out of the shelters, brought to jail, and then thrown back on the streets, “They arrested a homeless man in a shelter for being homeless” (How America Criminalized Poverty, para. 35-36). Criminalizing poverty adds to the problems within society itself, thus making the elimination of poverty virtually impossible. Instead of punishing people for seeking help, we need to work together in assisting underprivileged individuals move in a positive direction toward change, not only for the individual, but for society as well.