Poor in America: Not a Blessing in Disguise

                                                                                     

The rich and middle class try to minimize the status of the American poor by comparing the things they have, to what third world poor do not have. Yet the American poor often go to bed hungry, have no heat or air conditioning, and have no access to major food stores. In addition, they often have poor educational opportunities. They also frequently have limited access to laundry facilities and millions of them have substandard housing or no housing at all. American poor wish for 69 cents to buy a small candy bar at a dollar store.

Nevertheless, the worse thing about being poor is not the things: it is the lack of respect and self-esteem. If one is poor, it is almost impossible to hide your status. Other people think they are just a little better and say, "You shouldn't have a pet. You can't afford one."

The non-poor can be heard asking, "Why are you buying that? You should only be buying nutritious products."

Yea, if you have money, it is fine to see poor as “not poor.” However, if they don't have money but still have a few things, they still do not feel that good about life. Having second hand TV's, air conditioners, etc., is not the same as buying new things that money provides the wealthy.

Let's give the American poor a break. Millions still need food, shelter, medicine, clothing, respect, and dignity. This is especially true in classrooms, if we expect to see students achieve at the same level as their suburban advantaged counterparts.