President Obama's State of the Union Address clearly pointed out the challenges that this country is facing. We're fighting two increasingly unpopular wars, an unemployment high which will most likely remain high for the near term. People are scared. They're scared about being able to send their kids to college or to be able to retire at some point. But as the President pointed out, Americans have been and are resilient.
But are we more resilient than other human beings? Most likely not. Hardship is a relative matter. We worry about sending our children to college and retiring. The people of Haiti and millions of other human beings worry about having clean drinking water and when and if they will have food for themselves and their families. They are resilient each day or they do not survive. I think it is important that we realize the challenges they face each day and remember that many Americans who are poor or homeless face the same challenges, especially during this recession. Poverty can force people to be resilient, but when it is extreme and overwhelming, it can destroy resilience. We cannot connect with others if we are forced to compete with others for limited food. We cannot care for others if we cannot care for ourselves. We cannot make plans to change our lives if we cannot think clearly because of malnutrition and dehydration. If we are to continue to be a resilient people, we must make the elimination of poverty for our nation and other nations a realistic goal. One that we continue to strive to achieve, even in good times as well as bad times.
Ron Breazeale, Ph.D.
Author, Duct Tape Isn't Enough
www.reachinghome.com
No comments:
Post a Comment