While looking over the Austin American- Statesman, I ran into an article by Juan Castillo about poverty, More School-Children in Central Texas Living in Poverty. At first, I didn’t think too much of it; knowing that it is a problem, I didn’t think it was that big of a difficulty in our living area and surrounding areas. However, after reading this article I was caught with my mouth open at the numbers that I was reading and realizing the magnitude of the problems being presented.
Although plenty of people live in luxuries and with no problem to have food in the palm of their hand when they ask for it, there are many other- specifically children- who are suffering to have a full out plate on their tables. The percentage of children that are living in poverty has increased impressively and it seems that the places that have the most child poverty are those that are extremely near us, around the Austin area. There is no pride in being the second state in the United States to have the highest poverty rate and even less pride to know that this rate is solely among children. More than 40% of the people that are being cared for by the Capital Area Food Bank are children, an astonishing number if you consider those that are being helped by other organizations or those that fail to seek for help.
The situation here seems to be that the problem is hidden. How is it possible that in a city so big, within a state as populous as ours, it isn’t made a major public concern? Why are government officials not appearing to make many regulations to help this rather than worrying about elections or other such insignificant issues?
No To Poverty
ReplyDeleteIn response to one of my colleagues article of Not in Texas. We’re Perfect! The issue of living in Texas with children struggling to acquire a full course meal is rare. Texas has not only ignored the issue but has placed it on the back burner. So I would have to agree with my colleague upon this amazing article. Providing Texas with food banks and programs, sum people in Texas take pride into the equation and have the children suffer. I can recall growing up as a child my mother took us to a shelter for food and warmth. As time progressed we had a roof over our heads and hitting the food banks during the holidays. My mother raised us in a single parent home with two older brothers. She had no problem asking for help. I thank all the families that take the programs under consideration to provide for their children in time of need. However, Texas needs to address this concern with full force. My colleague stated that this issue of poverty is second in the nation and it certainly is nothing to be proud of. We need to open the eyes of the rich and give to the poor. Starting with Rick Perry, the one and only that can take this matter with full force in restructuring the government in Texas.