Thank you for publishing the Sunday article “Poverty trapped many in disaster” regarding Hurricane Katrina. This headline states what is at the heart of why millions of people around the world die every year. Poverty. A disproportionate number of African Americans lost everything, including their lives. Not all too surprising since many have been living at and below the poverty level for so long while our government continues to send the message that the poorest among us do not matter. This is indicated by cuts to social services and the lack of real discussion and planning for poverty and racism elimination in this country.
Perhaps I am pathologically optimistic, but I believe that poverty can be prevented. And when it is not prevented, it can be turned around.
I am outraged by the woefully inadequate response our government employed at the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Now we must look poverty in the face and we dare not turn away. Most Americans do not have the financial backing of rich ancestors. Many, far too many, are a paycheck away from homelessness. However, this is what is to be expected when the leaders of our country, as well as individual U.S. citizens, continue the cycle of ignoring the root causes of poverty, when we don’t make humans our top priority. If we ignore the U.S. poverty situation, does this not set us up for more individuals becoming destitute when disaster strikes? Doesn’t destitution breed exceeding social unrest? In my book, a “developed country” is one that places all of its people first.
Teresa Rugg
Snohomish
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