As we begin our new school year we are reminded that Central
College is a place where people from varying social classes come to learn as
equals. However, the reality remains that economic standings divide this
country up into fractured groups and the state of the economy has not helped. In fact the gap between the wealthy and the
middle/poor classes continues to increase. According to Dateline NBC, the
number of people on Medicaid since 2008 has doubled. Also, in a more interesting twist of events,
a 2011 study found that urban areas were not the place in which most poor
people were residing. Instead, that honor was bestowed on suburban areas.
What concerns me the most is the lack of media attention the
subject is receiving. According to journalist
Amy Dean, most freelance reporters would love to be covering stories about the
average and poorer Americans as compared to the wealthier one percent. The problem
is that these reporters are not being paid enough to cover their minimal costs
to write the story. Thus a real problem
of not becoming informed citizens occurs, and people miss out on opportunities
to educate themselves on how the poor are actually using their time and money.
This problem breeds the stereotype that these people are unemployed slackers
who drink their unemployment checks away and misuse welfare.
It is important to keep an open mind about people and not
fall into stereotyping. So I dare the student body this year to understand and
listen to those who are different from themselves, whether it is in
socioeconomic, racial, religious, or whatever difference there maybe. I
challenge you all to learn outside of the classroom and beyond the mainstream
media about the stories in American.
Finally, welcome back to Central College and let this be a grand year
for learning.
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