Tag Archives: poverty

Is America Still Racially Divided?

Today is the day we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.  King was known as the leader of the Civil Rights movement in the ‘60s and you could say, he gave his life for his convictions.  At the young age of 39, he was gunned down on April 4, 1968 in my hometown of Memphis by James Earl Ray.  He had come here to support the African American city sanitation workers who were on strike for higher wages. It’s also the day that our first African American President is being inaugurated for his second term in office. But, have things … Continue reading →

Share the Blessing

Earlier this year my husband bought me a beautiful handbag of blue and purple silk. Wherever I go people admire this unique bag. Not only is it beautiful but it is a way to help people, as money from the purchase goes to help poor women in Vietnam. Then for mother’s day one of the gifts from my daughter and son in law was a box. I love boxes. This one is covered with teal silk and embroidered with gold peacock’s feathers decorated with blue and purple beads. Yes, you can probably guess by now my favorite colors! The box … Continue reading →

Sounder (2003)

This Disney release is based on William H. Armstrong’s novel by the same name and takes place in the south during the Depression. Our main character is Boy, the oldest son of a family descended from slaves. Even though the Civil War has been over for a while, the racism and bigotry are as strong as ever, and it’s hard for this family to get a decent meal, let alone a large-enough house or a good job. Scrambling for every single thing they get, they make ends meet, somehow. One day, Boy’s father comes home with a hunting dog found … Continue reading →

Diane Sawyer Slammed By A Fellow Journalist

I like Diane Sawyer. Whereas I have never met the award-winning television journalist in person, as a former television news reporter, I often studied her work to improve on my own. I certainly don’t think she is perfect (who is), but I must say I disagree with the recent move a fellow journalist made in publicly bashing Sawyer during his review of her primetime TV special on poverty, which airs tonight. The ABC News special focuses on poverty in the United States; specifically struggling families in Camden, New Jersey. Yesterday Sawyer revealed she was inspired to do the program because … Continue reading →

Matt Damon’s New Mission

Add actor Matt Damon to the growing list of Hollywood do-gooders. The “Bourne Identity” star joins pals Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Nicolas Cage, members of the band Hootie and the Blowfish and rapper Eminem (to name just a few) who are lending a hand to those in need. The Academy Award winner’s new mission has him fighting poverty and AIDS in Africa. According to PEOPLE Magazine, Damon took up the cause in May after spending more than a week visiting the impoverished country. And, just a few days ago he hosted a fundraiser in Toronto to raise money to fight … Continue reading →

Helping Children Get a Better Start

Many children do not have a great start in life. They are born into poverty, which often hinders them from obtaining the same opportunities as other children. Whether it’s because they cannot concentrate on lessons due to hunger, or because they are taunted by children more well off than they are, or because they don’t have the proper school supplies, these children are at a disadvantage. This may seem like a column better suited to a charity forum, but it really is about education, and how we can help level the playing field for less fortunate children. While we certainly … Continue reading →