I noticed that, on 6/4, Charles Wright posted a comment about someone being "fleeced" because he's lived 1/2 a mile from Myra, KY all of his life. Mr. Wright is not the only person that I have encountered who claims that to be the case. However, perhaps since he has lived there all of his life, he hasn't experienced how the rest of the civilized world lives.
I teach sociology courses in higher education and this attitude is predictable. Those who live near it are the first to deny it. Isn't it horrible that the help received by Manna from Heaven comes from Colorado, Indiana, and New Jersey while the very people in their backyards turn their heads and deny that the problem exists?
I'm offended by Mr. Wright's comments but I will not delete them. I want those comments to be there so that everyone can see what Manna from Heaven is fighting. I can attest that there is despicable poverty in Myra, KY. To deny that poverty exists in Myra, KY is to deny that every city has pockets of poverty. The difference, Mr. Wright, is that this community does not have the resources that is afforded to residence of New York City, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles or even Newark, NJ.
People can say they are lazy or don't want to work. But, truthfully, what is the incentive if you are making minimum wage for part-time work (because companies don't want to hire them full-time and be forced to pay benefits!) and need to drive 40 minutes to Pikeville, KY? You can earn the same amount through food stamps and Medicaid. Is that lazy or simply logical? Figure the math out: $28 in earning-$20 in gas=$8 a day...why bother?
Furthermore, who is willing to hire these folks? Many of the adults can't read and use poor grammar. A high percentage have dental problems, limited medical care, and are obese. They are the unskilled labor force, the invisible and uneducated poor. Who can show them how to improve their lifestyle? Who can help them rise above generational poverty?
But, of course, if Mr. Wright admitted the truth, wouldn't he (and the hundreds others like him) be forced to do something about it? Instead, they turn their backs and deny its existance. Interesting...
Ultimately, it doesn't matter. The Mr. Wrights' of the world will continue to deny it and think the worst of people who are in need. I can't change his opinion nor will I deny that there are some "fleecers" out there. But to think that Manna from Heaven staged this whole thing to "fleece" us? Give me a break. A simply drive into one of the hollows speaks louder than anything I can write on this blog.
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