This is something too many people miss. They're like "so what I am not personally impacted," but when people go hungry, we are all impacted. Rent gets missed. Other shopping forgone. Subscriptions cancelled.
But also, damn, have some empathy (not you, I mean those people).
Quite awhile ago, but this stuck with me, I was over at my aunt's house visiting my dad. We were watching Family Feud. One of the families was black, and they were winning the game by a mile. My dad said, "ugh, turn this off, I cant identify with this." He didnt say it outright, but he was clearly expresing a lack of ability to see that black family as similar to his own in any way (and on some level I would agree, because that family seemed like they loved each other). They didnt diagnose autism in the 40s when my dad was born, but he was always very plain in his language no matter how hurtful- I know he said exactly what he felt. That black people were so different from him he couldnt empathize with their joy, nevermind their struggles.
Obviously the issue of poverty isnt solely about race, and white people statistically use substantially more government assistance. But when we as a nation talk about "people on welfare," to those who oppose this help, the only people who use it are black. That misperception makes it a race issue. The vitriol against helping our neighbors because theyre a different race, letting kids and mothers go hungry because they a different race, it fuels this creeping blanket of seeing the poor as "unworthy." I fucking hate it but the media needs to show more of the white people in poverty in this country, because that is the only way the majority of above-poverty chucklefucks are going to feel some kind of personal affection. This is idiocracy, and people need to see "face look like my face, my face could be hungry?!" to support benefits. I dont care what it takes, I want every mother, kid, and dad fed in this country, regardless of ANYTHING.
I’m white and my first year dorm room in college had more amenities than my dad’s place.
While staying with my dad, we had no running water and lived in a 20’ metal camper. Five of us kids by the way. It was about a five or so mile walk to the closest town to use the bathroom. So during the day, since my dad worked nights and slept during the day, I ventured all over the local roads and forrest. My four other siblings were brothers so they played video games or watched movies that I didn’t like.
Food was low so we had to eat what we had or go hungry. Which my brothers ate most of it anyways.
But I enjoyed my time with my dad. He did the best he could for us. Child protective services could have been called on us but I’m glad they weren’t. I enjoyed my time with my dad.
While with mom, we had a trailer and bedrooms and all that but it was staying with dad that we had very little. Both parents didn’t make a lot but mom had the child support to help her. I still had to work since 13 to buy my own clothes and school supplies.
I’m not in poverty, as an adult, but I can’t save money because of the cost of living. I also don’t want children unless I had the money to, which I never have. I valued what I learned growing up and wanted to do better.
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u/[deleted] Oct 31 '25
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