The Value of Education

"Millions of people around the world live in informal urban communities where a lack of resources leads to degradation of the environment." When it comes to urban poverty, lack of resources such as income, clean water, or anything relating to

sanitariness affects a person's living. How can an individual escape these living conditions if there is lack of support? The government involvement is crucial when it comes to several of these problems. The government should find a way how to filter water, do charity programs giving out free food, or even find ways to make more jobs become available. People overlook the severity of poverty. They think it is just being poor but is based off of more factors than that. "Its based on the income you need to pay for rent, for water, for sanitation, for keeping your kids at school, and for healthcare” and even more that can make person in poverty.

For this blog, it is important to understand that the reason why poverty heavily exists is due to the people's lack of awareness about it. This is a main factor since there are not too many engagements with citizens in this country about urban poverty. When it comes to it, not enough people are educated about the conditions and the topic of urban poverty. Which is so ironic because there is a research that states, "Household heads’ education level was strongly correlated to household income level. This means that if the public provision of education in times of economic downturn diminishes, the asset vulnerability or urban poor populations also increases." Education is highly important but it is overlooked not by people that are in poverty, but for those that are trying to find solutions about poverty. For example, even the definition of poverty is confusing. Studies proved that "although a family might not be traditionally below the poverty line (for example, if children are generating income), it can still be vulnerable and cut off from economic and social mobility. However, for a government agency, the amount of resources necessary to evaluate households based on asset vulnerability is significantly higher than the amount of resources it takes to measure income. " This brings up a valid point on whether income or the person situation or experience defines poverty. So, there is not a clear definition that is applicable for every single person since every person in poverty has their own story.

Another thing that is instantly perceive with poverty is ethnicity. When the word poverty is mentioned,  "the image that most likely comes to mind is one of young black men caught up in a swirl of drugs and violence and irresponsible single women having babies."  But too much social media, internet, movies, and videos portray this causing this to be very stereotypical. In reality, "Many whites live side by side African-Americans in some of the country's poorest urban neighborhoods." In fact, it is statistically proven that there are more whites on food stamps than blacks or minorities. So, just by having a hazing perception of this word is another reason why solutions can not be made since a person can not generate a solution if they do not even realize that there is a problem. This mainly happens since "White poverty is less expected, less recognized and less studied, we often exclude poor whites from our discussions." This huge misunderstanding definitely prevents some people in urban poverty from ameliorating their living condition if not all audiences are being reached.

However, I instantly got to show respect for those that are trying to make this problem come to a dissolution. For example, there is a program called Foundation's Urban Poverty Special Initiative. There motto is, "we believe there is an opportunity for city governments and the urban poor to work together to find solutions that will address their common problems,” So, of course there are people trying their best to mollify the rate of urban poverty. But it is not everyone's fault... Some people just simply do not have money to contribute to the poor due to the fact they need to focus on themselves. But one thing that does not requires money is learning. Learning is free. You can learn in a class, online, or even friends and family. So, just simply knowing more about this topic will easily help these people escape poverty.

As the final conclusion of this blog, I want to say thank you for engaging with my blog. In order for all of us to succeed at ending urban poverty or at least attempt at it, is to become more aware and learn more about the issue at hand. This issue might be something that our generation might not be able to see become resolved since it is so complex, but if we all learn more, then we will see results.

The History of Urban Poverty

What used to attract blacks to the Urban city lifestyle? Jobs and affordable housing. During the Great Migration that "occurred between 1910 and 1970, 6 millions black moved out of the rural Southern United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West." When this migration occurred, it was inevitable that urban poverty was bound to happened.

Great Migration

Living in a world where there are billions and billions of people, everyone needs a job to provide for their family. Money is the key motivation on why people are willing to work extreme hours just to get a source of income. Therefore, once the blacks were driven from their homes by unsatisfactory economic opportunities and harsh segregationist laws, of course the blacks want to travel to urban areas to take advantage of economic opportunities.

More economic opportunities became available since World War 1 has occurred at 1919. It consisted of the Allied powers, which were those countries allied in opposition to the Central Powers. Central powers consisted of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey. Then, the allied powers were Great Britain, France, and the Russian Empire. Because of this war, the need for industrial workers were needed in urban areas. That is why more blacks were actually welcomed in the North to take advantage of these jobs opportunities. However, we all know that when it comes to jobs, that is already limited.

Stock Market Crash

The stock market crash of 1921 occurred making the Great Depression inevitable. Because of this, jobs were limited and people were desperately trying to find a source of income. So, by having 6 million blacks move to a competitive environment for jobs, it was very obvious urban poverty was bound to occur.

Now that we understand a little bit more on how urban poverty has originated in some sort of manner, now we can talk about 2016. 2016 is the year Barrack Obama is now leaving office and a new president is going to become elected. When people vote, the people need to chose the right person to represent their interests and values. Specifically, blacks that live in urban poverty need to vote on a president that will help ensure them job opportunities, welfare checks, and any more options to help them escape this type of poverty. However, it is hard to make this feasible due to the fact that SOME blacks are not educated about the voting process.

People Actually Voting

Schools did not teach or stress the important about voting. Mathematics, writing, science, and more common core courses were taught by these teachers, but not classes about taxes, voting, and more key issues that occurs as an adult. There can't be change in the way how these people are living if the blacks are not that active in politics. I am not saying you got to know every single republican or Democrat in office, but understanding the polices that the candidate is trying to implement or enforce is crucial for change in the community. For example, the old Democrat: Bernie Sanders. I am not trying to make anyone become a Democrat or change anyone way of thinking but this is just an example on how knowing what polices he is trying to implement makes a difference. For example, he is trying to make college affordable later on in life by making college free. So, of course those that are in urban poverty or lower class loves this idea since its free education. However, the rich will hate it since they are getting taxed heavily. So, just knowing a little bit more about politics and stressing how significant or important is to vote will help people escape urban poverty.

Bernie Sanders

Also, besides lack of education that some of the people in urban poverty expresses, they also "lack the skillset to take on many jobs" causing jobs that were available to disappear. Everything relates back to education for urban poverty because if the people gain some type of insight or education on how to become skilled at the task that they are performing, then more income will be generated. However, since this is not the case, this leaves the residents "without a steady income, which creates a series of new problems in the city."

"Among those living on no more than $1 a day, the proportion found in urban areas rose from 19 percent to 24 percent between 1993 and 2002." Urban poverty is significantly increasing. This data was conducted in early 2000s so only imagine what that number is like now! It is unreal how those in the middle class and upper class are literally in an environment where there are more like us. We live in an environment where there are people living in similar houses to ours, drive similar cars to ours, and even have the same income as us. Because of this, we don't typically see people struggle since we are not in the same atmosphere. It is surreal on how there are people out there that is only living on $1 right now. Something must be done to change this, and as of right now, education is the only pathway towards making urban poverty come to dissolution. Learning about politics, school, courses, and so much information in the world will only help us even more if we apply it correctly.

The Power of Education

The Impact of Quaity Teaching

The definition of education is:

1. the process of receiving or giving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university

Teaching in genral

When it comes to urban poverty, receiving education is feasible. However, the quality is the part that is lacking! When it comes to teaching, the teachers are mainly there to receive a weekly paycheck instead of teaching with passion. These teachers simply do not care since the students do not care. The only reason why the students stop caring is due to the fact that they want to learn something that is engaging and interesting. When it is the same played out teaching style that nearly every teacher has, then that is why the students lack engagement. So, if the teachers at these urban's schools become more diversified with the teaching and actually have a desire to make a difference in areas where education is lacking, then this is one step that will make a difference on not only adults' lives, but also the children's' lives.

Now, if we compare the educational system at other countries. Literally, the teachers are completely different than those that teaches in areas of urban poverty. "Nonetheless, seeing their students learning also gives teachers pleasure, which encourages them to work harder no matter what their income." These teachers are needed in these areas because better teachers like these will make  any student want to participate. If the student feel like they work is going unnoticed, then that can also be another downfall between the relationship between the teacher and student. The student needs motivation and if the teacher lack any characteristics that demonstrate passion their occupation, then the students in these areas won't even bother graduating since they already got other struggles to worry about. That is why teachers that do not care about wages, and work due to the fact that they care about the future of  their students is what makes any student later on have a successful career. That is why the article declared, "Besides a student’s family, teachers probably have the greatest impact on student achievement. Since they cannot be easily monitored, they also have a great deal of freedom to pursue their teaching in whatever way they wish.

Teaching in Poor Schools in Urban areas

Lets compare the difference between the educational system between areas with urban poverty and mainly middle class to rich class. "The graduation rate of youths in the poorest fourth of the distribution increased to 9 percent from 5 percent; among the richest fourth it rose to 54 percent from 36 percent." What this quote proves is that those with low income are receiving less education due to the fact that they are barely even graduating from high school. On the other hand, those with a higher income are the ones that are flourishing and are receiving higher and better education,, which isn't to the people in urban poverty. There should not be a discrepancy between incomes. This validates the type of education that the low income people are receiving if they are struggling.

The value of education is greatly underestimated. Education is simply learning more than just ABC's and 2+2=4. There are more things that can be useful or helpful that the students can learn and apply to their life styles.



Teaching in Rich Schools in Rich Areas

For example, one problem in neighborhood areas with urban poverty is all of the diseases that are being spread throughout the communities. This happens due to low income, which prevents a person from affording a treatment that will help solve or treat the disease. According to this study, "People with higher levels of education and higher income have lower rates of many chronic diseases compared to those with less education and lower income levels, according to Health, United States, 2011 – the government’s annual comprehensive report on Americans’ health." So, just by being educated, people will instantly know how to prevent contact with these diseases and learn how to treat it if they do receive it. Educational classes like sex education and physical education covers all types of diseases. However, if people in urban poverty can not receive these educational courses, then that is when they will continue to trap themselves in these horrible living conditions. Due to having knowledge of these children in urban poverty, then, for the teachers, "the students’ needs may increase their effectiveness and thus outweigh their interest in decreasing their workload."

Education pays offs

Therefore, the key to success is fixing the quality of education. The way how that can be fixed is by finding dedicated teachers that want to teach due to how much their care about their students, not teachers that are simply looking for a job. This really do matter because this affects the children's future. So, since there is not that many highly trained professional teachers in these urban poverty neighborhoods, it makes complete sense on why income makes a huge difference on how the quality of the education is being presented. There are educational schools in these areas, but the quality needs to ameliorate drastically in order to make urban poverty come to a dissolution.

My Experiences with the Struggle

For this blog, I am going to describe my personal experience dealing with urban poverty. Now, as a disclaimer, it is nothing extreme as it is in africa, but I still know what it is like to struggle for meals, parents have to pay the most important bill instead of the bills like internet, and more other types of forms.

                                                       Khalil When he Was a Youngin

The lifestyle that my parents and I live is no where near poverty. We completely escaped that aspect as my parents have high paying jobs at ESPN and are still able to afford college for me. However, we still had our own experience with his low level of income.

ESPN

Back when my parents where in their early 20s, which seems like ages ago, they couldn't afford the luxury cars that we have now. Actually, the transportation that we used to have was the local city bus. "Residents face a unique set of challenges that our community-development systems are not designed to address, including limited public-transit options, a largely dispersed population, and fewer nonprofit service providers, to name a few." There were not too many options available to help us get to places so we had to take advantage of this option.

                                                                   City Bus

We couldn't buy the things we wanted to make us happy; we had to buy the things that were priorities. When it comes to video games, television, Netflix, instruments, and other aspects of entertainment, that was limited because rent was due in a couple of weeks, and a job at Barnes and Noble can't afford expensive materials. Therefore, I learned how to appreciate outdoor activities and friendships. I couldn't go to the mall everyday to buy expensive shoes and clothes. I couldn't go to arcades everyday an spend countless dollars on temporarily things. So, I invested in my education instead. I went to the library and read books for hours, and improved on my learning. Now, looking back it, I'm glad we went through this moment in our lives because we used this struggle to motivate us to be better. Now we know what a good day is because we had our fair shares of bad days.

Because of this, education has always been our number one to this today. Education "is the engine of social mobility, the avenue to better and more meaningful work and thus opportunity for one's family and community." So when people learn, learning isn't just sitting in a class room all day being taught by a professor or teacher. Learning could simply be by reading a book, googling a question that you didn't know the answer too, or even just ask you parents for an answer that sparks your curiosity. We are a social engine working together to keep the car functioning. We are the pieces that works cohesively to form a whole.

In areas with urban poverty, education is not the main priority.  It is not by choice, there are just more other things that requires more attention. For example, "Households of color, which will account for three quarters of household growth over the next decade, have extremely low access to the conventional mortgage market, relying instead on the Federal Housing Administration." People in urban poverty must focus on paying for mortgage and housing instead of affording a high quality education. A child does not have to go to a private school to receive high quality education, which costs money, but attending a public or charter school still cost some money to pay for books, supplies, and other necessities. "So one can't possibly establish an allowance based on, for example, the one textbook a family buys for each of its children." So, a rent payment might seem more important than education because its where they live. However, education is still the better investment.

Even tho education is the key to success, this term still seems kinda vague. In some districts, not all children receive equal quality education. This is called the achievement gap. "In 2009, among fourth-graders, the gaps between the percentage of black boys in large cities, scoring at or above proficient and the percentage of white boys in public schools across the nation scoring at or above proficient were 27 percentage points in reading and 39 percentage points in math" for this achievement gap. Anyone can receive an education like I previously stated above since learning is many different methods, but actually learning what you apply and using it is completely different. Because of this, it is clear that families not receiving education is not the problem or them not prioritizing it. The problem is the quality and the teaching of the education.

Hopelessness

There are a lot of stigmas that comes with urban poverty. For example, every minority is sagging their pants.

                                                                            Sagging

Every minority, specifically blacks, grows up without a father figure.

                                                                   No Father Figure

Black people tend to carry guns and use them to rob and kill.

                                                                 Possession of an AK47


There are more stigmas that continues like blacks are aggressive and violent. Blacks are uneducated since they use "slang". The list continues. However, this all happened due to social media, movies, television shows, and more outlets that gains mass' attention exaggerating what an urbanized neighborhood in poverty looks like. I am not stating that there are not SOME minorities that fully represent these stigmas, but to label all blacks like this is absurd. How can a person expect to escape this urban poverty if society mock us, and label us that separate us from rest of society. As someone that grew up in urban poverty, I completely understand why someone might lose hope when living in these conditions because it is not easy. Urban poverty consists of :"crime rates [that] are high and many homes [that] sit dilapidated and abandoned". Urban poverty isn't an issue that can easily be fixed, but there are high concerns about the progression of it. For example," Why have the black poor remained centralized over this period despite growing decentralization of the poor more generally?" "What are the consequences of these increasingly isolated pockets of deep black poverty in Urban America?" When it comes down to it, blacks are in a system of struggle. It became to a point where in our own neighborhoods, we are against each other. We have gangs that separate us. We are willing to kill each other, our own kind, because of these gangs. How can anyone take our culture seriously if we have hatred and animosity towards ourselves?

Social Media Apps that are used to Exaggerate the Stigmas

Cops are not that active in the community now in these dangerous neighborhoods since they are trying to protect themselves. In these urban neighborhoods, the rate of gang violence has sky rocketed. “In the past five years we’ve seen an 8 percent increase in number of gangs, an 11 percent increase in members and a 23 percent increase in gang-related homicides.”  declared James Howell, member of the National Gang Center.  Not all blacks fit these descriptions. It is possible for a minority to escape these heinous conditions and flourish in society. However, it is unlikely. But it is because we need more help changing the environment that we live in.

                                                                    Group of Cops

The government needs to be way more active and involved in helping these urban neighborhoods. The police need to be more active in solving these crimes, and preventing more from occurring. The people themselves living in these conditions also plays a role on the way how people views us, and the help we receive.  It is a mentality of having "lack of hope" due to these conditions. Not having clothes, not having decent quality food, not living in quality housing, not having any support, and more all starts to accumulate causing minorities to feel like violence and aggression is the outlet. However, that is not the answer. If we start to address this civic issue of urban poverty, then everything around the community starts changing as well.

                                                           Picture of Barack Obama
One thing that will change if we focus on urban poverty is the quality of education. For example, " Blacks from low-income families have worse academic outcomes—test scores and graduation rates, for example—than similarly low-income whites." This is completely unacceptable. There should be no way one demographic should be performing less due to income. Education is valuable, and can impact a person's future. So, the fact that these black students are not performing, and there has not been a significant change to fix this troublesome. I realize that it is not easy to fix this, but more efforts got to be done to make this change. There has been some gain like, "No Child Left Behind law and the Obama administration’s Race to the Top program." However, this is not enough. It is a cycle that will never be broken if we do not address this issue now.

                                           Education is Vital to ending Urban Poverty
In a different perspective, lets consider the children. A study was conducted evaluating education and the data expressed, "Parents' low educational attainment was shown to predict persistent poverty for their children more consistently than any other factor the study investigated — including single motherhood, family unemployment, young age of parents or living in inner-city neighborhoods." Living in these conditions does not help or improve a minority chance of becoming successful. Instead, their future are being drained down the toilet.

                                                             The Power of Education

Therefore, in order to fix this problem of urban poverty, we need more interactions between the police and government to help mollify the amount of crimes and help implement policies to ameliorate living conditions. Then, the people also got a role in improving these conditions and express that they want change as well so that officials can take them seriously. But, a way of fixing this long dreadful process is education. It might not fix all stigmas, but it will definitely help some come to a dissolution. So lets all come together and try to fix urban poverty!
No one is walking around with their pants that low.

                                                             People Coming Together