Center for Urban Poverty Solutions

The Charity Assumption

2012-01-18T16:34:00.002-05:00

In 1964, President Lyndon Johnson launched the "War on Poverty" and for almost five decades billions of dollars have been invested in low-income urban communities through the well-intended social programs of both public and private institutions. Some programs have had a positive impact; most however have had a devastating negative impact on families, often consigning them to remain mired in the cycle of generational poverty.

The Problem "The Charity Assumption..."
Many of the social programs in question are ineffective because they operate from a “charity" (or deficit) assumption; which effectively treats people as if they cannot do for themselves. This assumption most often results in programs that provide support and resources without expecting personal investment or personal responsibility from the recipients.

While there is a place for charity (particularly when people truly cannot do for themselves), the Charity Assumption strips people of dignity and undermines personal responsibility. This assumption currently influences over 80% of the resource investment in programs and services for low-income people living in low-income urban communities.

The Solution
Economic development programs (e.g. business incubators, micro-lending, vocational training) operate with an "empowerment" (or asset) assumption recognizing that many people can do for themselves if given the training and opportunity. Resources are invested in ways that require personal investment and personal responsibility.

To change lives and transform blighted low-income urban communities’ both policy and practice have to move towards increased investment in economic development programs based on an empowerment assumption. Only then can we make accessible to individuals and families’ real opportunities for economic self-sufficiency and empower them to liberate themselves from the cycle of generational poverty.

We have to recognize that this type of strategic investment in people is both a solution to the problem of generational poverty in urban communities; and a way to grow a productive local and national economy.

Remember?

2011-11-12T08:55:00.001-05:00

Mr President... Remember who you are and what you said? Obama: Changing the Odds for Urban America excerpthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3572kq_V-E&feature=sharevia @youtube

What is Poverty in the United States: Air Conditioning, Cable TV and an Xbox

2011-11-06T07:24:00.000-05:00

Each year for the past two decades, the U.S. Census Bureau has reported that over 30 million Americans were living in “poverty.” In recent years, the Census has reported that one in seven Americans are poor. But what does it mean to be “poor” in America? How poor are America’s poor?

What is Poverty in the United States: Air Conditioning, Cable TV and an Xbox

In the News: US Poverty Rate Soars; Lil Wayne Sounds Off On Tea Party and More - Black Enterprise

2011-10-30T06:18:00.000-04:00

In the News: US Poverty Rate Soars; Lil Wayne Sounds Off On Tea Party and More - Black Enterprise

National Alliance to End Homelessness: News & Events: Upcoming Events: National Conference on Ending Family and Youth Homelessness

2011-10-26T18:12:00.000-04:00

National Alliance to End Homelessness: News & Events: Upcoming Events: National Conference on Ending Family and Youth Homelessness

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com

2010-10-18T15:12:00.000-04:00

This Challenges the paradigm of modern education

Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity | Video on TED.com

A Brief History of Intolerance in America

2010-08-20T11:07:00.001-04:00

A Brief History of Intolerance in America

Something worth reading...

Facebook | Robert L. Caldwell Jr.

2010-04-20T05:45:00.001-04:00

Facebook Robert L. Caldwell Jr.: Tonight's Public Policy Forum will be discussed TODAY on “All Sides with Ann Fisher” @ 11:00a. The program is streamed live at www.wosu.org/allsides

Excerpt from the State of Black Ohio Report

2010-04-16T06:32:00.001-04:00

Socio-Economic Conditions:

Data indicates worsening socioeconomic conditions in income and economic health for the Black community in Ohio. These figures suggest that the economic crisis is reversing gains in income and reductions in poverty made in the 1990s by Ohio's black residents.

Compared to national figures, Ohio's Black community is experiencing rates of poverty and unemployment which are growing faster than rates experienced by Blacks nationwide. This trend suggests that Ohio's poor economic climate has directly impacted Black residents. Black poverty rates in Ohio declined from 32.3% in 1990 to 26.5% in 2000, but since 2000, rates have steadily risen. Poverty rates in 2007 for Black Ohioans are at 30.9% (compared to a national Black poverty rate of 24.7%).
Other Ohio racial groups have also experienced an increase in poverty during this time (except the Asian population), although increases in poverty have been more rapid for Black and Latino populations. Currently, Black poverty rates (30.9%) are more than double the poverty rate for all Ohioans (of 13.1%) in 2007.
Median household income for African Americans in Ohio was approximately $29K, compared to $47K for the State as a whole. After adjusting for inflation, median household income for Black Ohioans has declined from $32K in 2000. This rate of decline was mirrored by declining income in the White and Latino community (Figure 3).National figures for Black median household income also declined during this time.
Unemployment rates for Ohio's Black community have increased from 7.6% in 2000 to 11.6% in 2007, reversing the sharp increase in employment for Black Ohioans which occurred in the 1990s. Ohio's Black unemployment rate was on par with national rates of Black unemployment in 1990 and 2000, but has diverged since 2000, increasing faster than national rates of Black unemployment (Figure 5). Both White and Latino unemployment rates in Ohio are also rising since 2000.

Whatever...

2010-04-10T02:26:00.003-04:00

Specter's slip of the tongue

Almost a year after he converted to become a Democrat, Sen. Arlen Specter's party switch is still a work in progress. Speaking to a group of College Democrats at Penn State University on Tuesday, the Pennsylvania senator suffered an embarrassing slip of the tongue.

"I'm proud to have been endorsed by the College Republicans," Specter said, before correcting himself. According to the student newspaper StateCollege.com, a campaign organizer called Specter out to correct him.

"Democrats," the organizer said.

Black Ohio in the 21st Century- “At a Crossroads on the Pathway to Opportunity”

2010-04-06T08:17:00.001-04:00

Excerpt from the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race & Ethnicity - State of Black Ohio Report.

Why a State of Black Ohio Report?

The report, released just after the election of President Obama, speaks to the continued progress of our nation towards opening the doors of opportunity to all. Ohio's African American community has seen tremendous achievement in recent decades. Political development, educational and business success, as well as the emergence of a strong Black middle and upper class of Ohio's Black community, highlight a few of these accomplishments. Consider 1970: only 1,400 Black elected officials (local, state and federal) existed in the entire nation. By 2001, Ohio alone had more than 300 local, state and federal Black elected officials. By 2009, four of the six largest cities in the State had African American mayors. In 1970, only 10% of Ohio's Black population had attended college, and only 3.9% of Black Ohioans had attended college for four years. By 1990, 14% of Black Ohioans earned a college degree; by 2007, this figure increased to 21%. High school graduation rates for Ohio's Black students increased from 62% in 1995 to 71% in 2006. Between 1992 and 2002, the number of Black owned businesses in Ohio increased by 57% and sales for Black owned businesses increased by 61% (in inflation-adjusted 2002 dollars).

Despite these tremendous achievements, pockets of isolated communities still face significant impediments in their attempts to access opportunity and advancement. For Ohio's Black community, many urban, inner-city communities of color are highly marginalized. Residents in these communities face extreme barriers to opportunity, from failing schools and limited economic options, to unhealthy environments, disinvestment and unstable housing. Our analysis across the State of Ohio found nearly 3 out of 4 Black Ohioans were living in the State's most disadvantaged neighborhoods (what we term "low opportunity neighborhoods"), compared to 1 in 2 Latinos and 1 in 4 Asians and Whites. Families living in these communities face daunting odds. Individuals who transcend these barriers must make tremendous efforts to escape cycles of poverty and marginalization, in addition to having to overcome lingering interpersonal racial biases. Unfortunately, these barriers prove insurmountable for too many, trapping many Black Ohioans in poverty and limiting the future for too many of our Black families and children. These structural and institutional barriers to opportunity must be removed if we hope for Ohio's Black community to continue to flourish, succeed and contribute to Ohio's future and vitality.

Therefore, despite diminished interpersonal racial bias and the removal of legal tools of segregation, our nation and Ohio have still not entered a "post-racial" period as many hopeful commentators have speculated. African Americans (among other communities of color and poor whites) continue to face a number of systemic institutional and structural challenges, which continue to marginalize entire communities. While we should celebrate the Civil Rights victories of the past and achievements for Ohio's Black citizens at present, we must also not forget about the many who still continue face tremendous barriers to opportunity.

Twist of Fate

2010-03-14T10:00:00.001-04:00

Ronald Barron had turned his life around. He was living on a mission to reclaim the very streets he once ruled as a gang member. For years he had worked with the Amer-I-Can Program to prevent violence. On Super Bowl Sunday he was celebrating the victory of the New Orleans Saints when he stepped outside and saw a young man tagging the wall of his neighborhood bar. He tried to get the young man to stop and was shot and killed.

In this ironic twist of fate this man who by all accounts was a successful ambassador for non violence (he had recruited several young men away from gang life and brokered a peace between his former gang and a rival gang...) we can see the complex challenge of the work to reclaim low-income urban communities. I for one, am inspired by his sacrifice at the "street level" and emboldened to fight harder for reforms at the "political level" so that his work and the work of others like him will not be in vain.

Rangeled?

2010-03-03T19:22:00.002-05:00

In an interview with Andrea Mitchell, Gregory Meeks (D New York) called Charlie Rangel an "American Hero..." While I think that is a bit overstated, Charlie Rangel has had a long and storied career as a legislator. I believe his story is worth telling and that his tenure is worthy of respect. However he represents what is at issue with long-term incumbents in politics. With his effectiveness waining due to his ethics issues aside, Charlie Rangel tried to hold on to power for too long. Long beyond his desire to appreciate the changes in the political climate outside the beltway. Long beyond his capacity to hear the new voice of emerging leadership on the political landscape. Long beyond his ability to see what might be if we can break free from the partisanship his generation of politicians came to thrive and survive on.

Like so many others of his era, we should thank him for his service, honor him for his commitment, ask him for advice and lead him to the door so that new leadership can take his place.

The Politics of This or That

2010-03-03T02:48:00.000-05:00

Too often politicians and people working daily in the political process get caught in "This or That" thinking. This or That thinking is short sighted. It fuels partisanship and leads to the gridlock those of us outside the beltway (and the statehouse) find so exasperating. While we want politicians with the conviction to take a stand, we need politicians with the courage to "stand-down" for the greater common good. An issue like health care reform is one that will require several iterations to get right, so someone has to have the courage to stand down from a polarizing position that brings the whole process to a halt. Compromise is not a dirty word when trying to move a big idea forward and something is better than nothing when nothing is all we have had.

2010-02-28T17:48:00.001-05:00

Solutions thinking is seeing every problem as a question and knowing there is an answer

The Charity Asumption

2010-02-28T15:08:00.000-05:00

After decades and billions of dollars, well-intended programs of both private and public social service institutions have had a mixed impact on poor and under served urban communities. While some programs have had a positive impact, most (programs) have had a devastating negative impact on families, often consigning them to remain mired in the cycle of generational poverty. Why?

The Charity Assumption
Programs with positive impacts an empowerment (or asset) assumption that people can do for themselves. They offer programs and services while requiring personal investment and responsibility from recipients. Programs that are ineffective operate from a charity (or deficit) assumption that people cannot do for themselves. They offer programs and services without requiring personal investment and responsibility from the recipients.

While there is a place for charity, particularly when people truly cannot do for themselves, this assumption misapplied does not empower. It strips people dignity and consumes too much of the resources invested in programs and services for low-income urban communities.