Elona Perllaku
Have you ever wondered how many people in America live in poverty? What causes it? How does it affect those around us? Is there a solution to it? Why is it still an issue in today's society? How much has it changed and whether it has changed? When people think of America the term Dream follows it. Many others including myself that have grown up in another country, have always wanted that dream to come true. The lucky ones who have the opportunity to finally make it here, come with the impression that America is this magical place where everything is just handed to you and that if you work hard you will achieve and prosper. However, that impression changes as soon as you step foot in the country. Poverty is everywhere; in the streets, in the communities, in schools, in work places, and media.
Have you ever wondered how many people in America live in poverty? What causes it? How does it affect those around us? Is there a solution to it? Why is it still an issue in today's society? How much has it changed and whether it has changed? When people think of America the term Dream follows it. Many others including myself that have grown up in another country, have always wanted that dream to come true. The lucky ones who have the opportunity to finally make it here, come with the impression that America is this magical place where everything is just handed to you and that if you work hard you will achieve and prosper. However, that impression changes as soon as you step foot in the country. Poverty is everywhere; in the streets, in the communities, in schools, in work places, and media.
(Poverty during the Great Depression)
Poverty reached its peak during the Great Depression when the stock marked crashed. The Great Depression started around the year 1928 and it ended in the late 1930s. It was the longest and deepest depression in the United States history. Ironically in the 21st century, it hasn't changed so much. People in today's society still have to deal with the complications of finding a job. Jobs have been passed to other countries where the corporate make the biggest profit by paying employees extremely low wages. The people here do not have a choice but to settle with what they get. Finding a job is a big challenge for Americans in today's society given the fact there is none. Families struggle to feed their kids and pay their dues.
(Poverty in Today's Society)
The United States is suppose to be the richest country in the world but our economy suffers. Millions of Americans are relying on food stamps to survive. Food stamps are the number one symbol of poverty. As Americans it should be our duty to try to do something about it. We can make a change. All we have to do is work together and protect our rights. We should go out there and protest and fight hard for those rights. 
We the people are the solution , even though poverty is a big issue all together we can change it.
Yuko Nishizawa
ReplyDeleteI, too, believe that awareness of the problem and fighting for rights ultimately leads to a change for the better. The harsh reality that we have recently learned of in sociology class is that the top 5% of wealthiest Americans make 80% of the nation's total income. It sounds like we are living in dictatorship where only the rich controls the country's wealth. Pondering this reality makes me wonder if something is seriously wrong on a fundamental level in our society. We must protect our rights and let our voices be heard.