The Randomness of Me

I teach a class on the literature of civic leadership which is a part of the Institute for Civic Leadership at Mills College. The program teaches women the foundations of leadership in the context of social change and social justice and includes an internship with a social change organization in the Oakland/SF area. One of this year’s students is working with an organization to bring the World Courts of Women on Poverty to the U.S. for the first time. This conference, which takes place in May at Laney College in Oakland, presents a unique opportunity to explore the multiple and complex factors that contribute to the significant number of women (and their families) living in poverty around the world, but more importantly, finding, discussing, and executing strategies that will lift them into self-sufficiency.

To learn more or register go to: http://weap.org/WCW/WCWAbout.htm

Ideas around who are the 99% are as vast and varied as the protestors occupying public spaces around the globe. The same is true for the 1%.

Those people, households and families on the bottom of the threshold could very well be the work-a-day guy driving the bus to the encampment who is struggling with a mortgage and college tuition for his kids or the single parent police woman called upon to “control” and disburse the crowds. Pitting one class against another without fully understanding and knowing the faces and stories behind the numbers does a diservice to this growing movement and the change and dialogue it can create. In Oakland, a young black man fell victim to an old argument and died in the encampment, the 99% was quick to point out that they - the young man and his killer - were not a part of the 99%. How can that be true when young men like them struggle every day to find jobs that will support them and, when they can’t, resort ot underground economies like drug sales to make ends meet. Aren’t these young men a part of the 99% and don’t they deserve not to be demonized and ostracisized from a movement that could helo them find a road out of poverty?

As we move to create change and hold true the ideals of free specch and public dissent, we must be careful not to make judegments about people on the other sideof the table. Yes, the Donald Trumps of the world should be made to pay thier fair share but let’s be clear that not everyone in the 1% is a Fat Cat who is milking the system. No, we can not condone violence but we can acknowledge that the pathology that leads to young men of color engaging in these behaviors is based in poverty and exclusion that must be a part of this dialogue.

In order to make this movement be one that truly embraces the ideals and values of our Constitution and that provides spaces for all of the 99% it must first do a bit of soul searching and not become like the monster against which it rails.

Poverty Matters…

This interactive map shows where the London rioters came from. Take a look and you will see that a significant number came from disenfranchised, poverty stricken areas. Disillusionment with the system is common among oppressed people. The police shooting of Mark Duggan is one event that sparked the riots but underlying issues associated with poverty (like the deep cuts to social support programs made by England’s Parliament) must certainly have played a role in people demonstrating their anger and frustration through violence.

Those who think those in London had no legitimate reason to take action, should, in fact, look more closely at the widening schism between classes and how that contributes to feelings of anger and the need to do something, anything to make change. Our American legislators would do well to take note from what happened in London. As we move towards finding ways to reduce our national debt, we must not allow our poorest and most vulnerable to bear the brunt of these efforts. 

Chipping away at or dismantling the social programs that enable millions to sustain themselves, their families and communities could very well result in poor,  disenfranchised Americans taking to the streets to affect change, to be heard and to send a message that they are not the problem and should not be treated as such.