Hamline’s annual Commitment to Community was held at Hamline Methodist Church on a chilly, fall evening. All first year students filled the pews as Hamline welcomed two keynote speakers who have dedicated their lives to understanding extreme poverty in America. Kathryn Edin and Luke Shaefer authors of $2.00 a day: Living on Almost Nothing in America discussed the research they’ve collected while interviewing families in some of the poorest cities in the nation. The stories they told about families only have enough food stamps for a week and a half into the month, or having to choose between keeping the utilities on or food, or having to live in abandoned homes where they are vulnerable to violence made me open my eyes and check my privilege.

Poverty in America is an epidemic and it affects millions of people of all ages, races, and locations. During the presentation Edin talked about how many Americans believe that being poor in America is being rich somewhere else in the world. This toxic thought process shuts down the conversation we should be having about how we as a society can support those who are being affected. Poverty is extreme and deep rooted and it will take a combination of welfare reform, a raise in wages, more stability in the jobs available, and an overall understanding (for those not affected) of what it means to be living with almost no cash income.

Poverty is an equal opportunity condition, meaning anyone can be poor, but it impacts people differently based on race, gender, ability, etc. It is easy to be on the outside looking in and say “why don’t they just get a job?” Many of the people interviewed had a history of work and wanted to work but it was the many intersections of oppression that kept them from achieving that. Shaefer and Edin found from their research that an African American person with the same credentials is less likely to get a call back for a job interview than a White person with a criminal record. Women are especially vulnerable to rape and abuse and experience abuse at a much higher rate.

At the end of the presentation I was left inspired by the two authors and also looking for a way that I could help. I think it starts by recognizing it in our community and not turning a blind eye to it. Edin ended the presentation by laying bare all the ways America could change if we had no poverty, clean streets, free pre-k, after school programs, better public libraries, an overall stronger infrastructure, are all parts of society that would improve the wellbeing of our society. It also is a recognition of privilege and using privilege to challenge systemic racism, sexual violence, income inequality, and other systems of oppression that keep poverty stricken people from opportunity. One of the most important ways to help is to vote.

Vote for legislators and representatives that make issues like this a priority. Vote for candidates who have the experience and understanding of these issues. Vote for candidates who want equal opportunities for everyone and strive to create resources so people have a chance to accomplish these opportunities.