Introduction
The problem of poverty of the population, as well as excessive social and material stratification, has catastrophic prospects. This is a problem that will not be solved by itself, but only accumulate the future collapse of the economy and society. Diana George’s book, Changing the Face of Poverty, begins with a summary of several Thanksgiving commercials and catalogs for non-profit groups soliciting money for the underprivileged. She raises an essential point: how can we persuade Americans despite the luxury they see in front of them (Bullock et al. 726). There is a lot of poverty out there that requires a change in a culture inundated with images of poverty (Bullock et al. 726). Ms. George worries and investigates whether poverty is increasing as a result of preconceptions linked with non-profit representations and ads. It can be claimed that the book adequately represents the rising poverty in the United States, which is the direst issue in the country.
Diana George: Changing the Face of Poverty
Habitat for Humanity is the primary example given by this author. Habitat for Humanity is a highly significant organization in today’s society when it comes to poverty. Its mission is to offer shelter to individuals in need all around the world (Bullock et al. 727). Moreover, it places housing control in the hands of the homeowners themselves, attempting to stop the cycle of poverty. The problem with Habitat for Humanity stems from its vocabulary, namely the way it discusses and portrays poverty.
Despite the mentioned issue, the author does not disparage Habitat for Humanity’s efforts. As cofounder Millard Fuller has often stated, it has done an outstanding job of solving a global problem (Bullock et al. 727). However, the author would like to call attention to how the problem of insufficient housing is portrayed, particularly in publicity material generated and coordinated by that society (Bullock et al. 727). These depictions may exacerbate Habitat for Humanity’s difficulties as it tries to transform how Americans think about helping others. This biased picture of poverty, according to Diana George, concentrates on images that tug at the heartstrings, such as photos of people living in extreme poverty, sick and homeless children, and dwellings that are falling apart or unlivable.
However, because of the usage of pathos, people tend to associate poverty only with it. People only recognize a problem with poverty in the context of the example offered to them (Bullock et al. 728). Only the poorest members of society are represented and cared for by society as a result of this representation. However, millions of people live in poverty every day, struggle, and lead terrible lives due to this. Many individuals are just as unfortunate as Habitat for Humanity’s clients but just a little better off (Bullock et al. 728). Furthermore, they are forgotten as a result of this depiction. Because of this, only a tiny portion of the country’s poverty gets addressed, which is a big problem.
Another difficulty that can be noticed in the job is that people merely want to write a check. It is pretty revolutionary to consider that our impoverished neighbors could be able to purchase a home with no interest and with the help of others’ donated time and materials (Bullock et al. 728). The author moreover finds a problem in the fact that these pictures are rarely associated with America. Because most Americans are not exposed to poverty, they feel it is in another nation. In the United States, poverty is a severe problem. Diana George feels it has something to do with how individuals and the media see poverty.
As much as she is correct, politics and bureaucracy are equally to blame. Poverty is something that the government is always attempting to eradicate. People who are more fortunate than others, however, exploit the system (Bullock et al. 728). Politicians that grant firms billions in tax breaks seem unconcerned that this taxable money might be used to build hundreds of houses and generate employment for those in need.
They moreover make use of a few public assistance programs, such as welfare and food stamps. People who can live without it or use it for the wrong purposes, such as drugs and alcohol. By doing this, they rob moms trying to feed their children (Bullock et al. 728). These programs require more funding and more oversight, such as drug testing for those collecting a check. Poverty is a significant concern not only in the United States but moreover across the world. However, in order to be of assistance, this problem must be addressed. The world as a whole has to pay greater attention to the bigger picture of poverty.
However, a CNN article on poverty and its rise in the United States can be cited as a corroborating critical counter-source. Last year, the poverty rate in the United States increased to 11.4 percent (Luhby). According to census figures released by CNN, the first two rounds of government stimulus funds helped keep 11.7 million Americans out of poverty (Luhby). This situation resulted in an alternative poverty measure falling to 9.1 percent in 2020 (Luhby). The payments were a critical component of the extraordinary federal response to the economic carnage inflicted by the pandemic.
The Supplemental Poverty Measure was lower than the official rate for the first time last year. According to economists, this metric takes into account non-cash government support, taxes, and necessary costs, correcting a significant fault in the official rate (Luhby). Census stated that the alternative measure would have grown by around 3.6 percentage points without the stimulus money (Luhby). The supplementary rate in 2019 was 11.8 percent (Luhby). The official poverty rate climbed to 10.5 percent in 2020, up from a historic low of 10.5 percent the previous year (Luhby). In 2020, 37.2 million people lived in poverty, up 3.3 million from the previous year (Luhby). After five years of reduction, poverty has risen for the first time.
The poverty seems to scale as the economic condition of the US worsens. The epidemic shook the US economy early last year, causing millions of people to lose employment. Governments urged non-essential companies to close and individuals to stay at home to prevent the virus from spreading. Despite significant improvements since then, the economy will continue to employ over 5 million people in February 2020 (Luhby). However, the federal government’s unusual reaction saved millions of people from the harshest effects of the recession. Congress passed three major relief packages, including $3,200 in stimulus payments in 2020 and 2021, and expanded unemployment benefits (Luhby). Beefed-up food stamps and providing funds for low-income school children to buy food, deferred student loan payments, a moratorium on evictions, relief funds to state and local governments, and business assistance (Luhby). Thus, several factors contribute to poverty rise in the US and downgrade the wellbeing of its citizens.
Conclusion
To conclude, Diana George’s book, Changing the Face of Poverty, demonstrates the most critical modern issue of the United States. It can be judged that the CNN data qualitatively demonstrate that the position expressed by Diana George in her work is argumentatively qualitative. Although poverty is partly caused by external factors, it is the responsibility of the government and electorate to make decisions on its eradication. Therefore, the problem of poverty should be an area of concern for all cognizant Americans since it might lead to even worse consequences.
Work Cited
Bullock, Richard, et al. The Norton Field Guide to Writing: With Readings and Handbook, MLA 2021 and APA 2020 Update Edition. Fifth, W. W. Norton and Company, 2021.
Luhby, Tami Cnn. “Census 2020: Poverty Rose in 2020 Amid Pandemic Even as Stimulus Payments Helped Some 11.7 Million Americans Avoid It – CNNPolitics.” CNN, 2021.