Ref: Poverty – Local and Global Issues
I wish to express my deepest concerns about the poverty situation in Boston municipality. Poverty is visible everywhere, especially in the rural areas of the municipality. In fact, it was deeply embarrassing to learn that Boston ranks top among the various municipalities in Massachusetts for not having a well-structured plan for alleviating poverty. Am sure that you already have the information regarding the various plans that are set to be implemented in various municipalities. As a concerned citizen, and a person who volunteers in various aspects of the society, I see poverty creating negative impacts especially in the education sector. Given its capacity to encumber learning, it even becomes difficult to imagine what will happen to children who are already languishing in poverty. For such children it becomes difficult for them to learn considering that they are always poorly fed all the time and this makes them lose focus on school activities. It is embarrassing to see how most families in the rural areas cannot afford the necessary resources to support their welfare.
According to the findings of Asmus, poverty in Massachusetts and, especially Boston municipality dates back to the 19th century during the immigration and industrialization era that saw various populations, particularly the black community struggling to keep their families. In fact, even prior to the civil war, both free and enslaved blacks were already working arduous and long hours. Following the high level segregation that was witnessed in Boston in the mid-19th century, crowded living quarters became the norm of the day, and this even resulted in negative influences on the health conditions of the residents. Poor people had to cope with their situation in various ways that included seeking welfare support from organized relief, especially whenever the public strategies failed. It is, therefore, safe to say that a large percentage of residents in Boston have been living poverty for almost two centuries now. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 21.6% of the population in Boston municipality still in live in poverty. There are high notable rates of poverty among the following racial minority subgroups: Black population (23&); Asian population (26.6%); and Hispanic population (34.8%).
This situation reflects the various concepts and theories that relate to the issue of poverty. For instance, the racial minority subgroup i.e. the Black population, Asian population and Hispanic populations are reflected in the Minority Group Theory. This theory encompasses people who are characterized by lowness of wage, largeness of family, chronic work irregularity among others. The poverty situation in Boston area can, also, be explained by the sub-culture of poverty. This concept asserts that the poorest section of the community comprise a sub-culture or a sub-society that is idiosyncratic and largely self-perpetuating.
On behalf of the poor people of Boston municipality, I implore you to oversee poverty eradication programs both in the medium term and long term. In the medium-term, we would like you to oversee the food stamps programs that will be essential in assisting poor households to acquire food so that they do not spend other income sources on groceries. Implementation of energy assistance program will be essential for helping those who are unable to afford payment of basic utility bills. In regard to a long-term solution, I request you to partner with other relevant authorities to set up institutions that can enable people acquire entrepreneurial skills. People will then be able to rely on such skills so that they can generate wealth in the long-run. This will, in turn, reduce prevalence of poverty in Boston.
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