Before taking this course I honestly had not heard of the Half in Ten campaign at all.  I now understand that its objective is to cut poverty in half in 10 years.  With the mission being to build political and public will to cut poverty in half in ten years, I knew that this was something I am going to be a part of.  Heise outlines the three points that sum up the goals and pursuit of Half in Ten, and states that the goal is not simply to move families one dollar above the poverty line, but to create a movement in which individuals come together to affect and enact policies that 1, create good jobs.  2, strengthen families, and 3, promote economic security as to grow the middle class.  I would like to highlight how possible and attainable this is, as proved by statistics and historical references of when America has cut poverty and rates of hunger in half.

As we have learned over the course of this semester, it is imperative that we raise minimum wage to a level that accounts for inflation, and is livable.  This is stated as “increasing the minimum wage to its historic level of half the average wage”.  This will allow people to have enough money to live, being able to pay rent, buy nutritious food, pay for utilities, and get to work. Next, making tax code actually work for working families and expanding income tax credit and child tax credit.  This needs to happen in order for families to have fair tax credit given, so that the people who are just getting by do not pay the same amount of taxes to those who have luxury and opulent life styles that can afford to contribute much more.  This is a way for people with lower incomes to function soundly within our system.  The next is making childcare fully available as a work support for low-income families.  I have learned that without childcare being affordable or even an option, many families are bound to other (or no) alternatives, and forced into a life that leaves no room for a job, the ability to provide for family, or survive in today’s world.  Utilizing technology and the internet is key for the success of something like Half in Ten.  Through the use of webinars, fact sheets, sample letters to Congress, and social media actions, people were able to take action and effect the change and create improvements in tax legislation.   Because of the long reaching arms of the internet we have the ability to connect so many people and unite them on such issues, allowing for social change, affecting current policies and politics.

One thing I have learned recently is when you give a person the story, picture, account, and life experience of another who is/has experienced terrible injustices and pain, they are able and more likely to empathize with this person.  It doesn’t allow them to trivialize or minimize the issue or importance.  Having a personal account of this person who is directly affected by these issues gives life and personalizes the issue.  The individual can then recognize that their contribution and participation in creating change is worth while, important, and greatly appreciated.  This humanization process seems to be key in transcending boundaries and walls that serve to separate and divide us as humans, getting us in a situation and society such as we have now.   It can be the difference between knowing about an issue or huge problem but not caring enough to take action, or taking action and helping  our fellow human beings, allowing for health, happiness, and meaning in life.