After listening to all the presentations this past week, it occurred to me that there is some good out there among all the darkness we have seen so far in this class. The fact that stuck out to me the most was about the Sisters of the Road diner. Before this class, before knowing about this soup kitchen, it has been my career goal to open up a place where people who cannot afford things can come get food when and for what ever reason. Seeing that the customers are also the workers and there are multiple ways to exchange services or goods for food made me realize that there is a gem of good fortune out there for people who need it.
Another aspect from the presentations that stuck out to me was the sidewalk distribution of books by the homeless. This was really interesting due to the fact that people would trust the homeless, more than a bookstore, for advice on books. As such, it reminded me of the fact that that is how our world used to work as buying things used to be based small scale entreprenuership. People used to buy goods and services from other people, no questions asked. And now, because of the capitalist culture we have, this is lost as the exchange of goods or services just relies on money, not a trade.
Most of these presentations got me wondering about all the programs and resources that are out there that homeless or less fortune people could use at their disposal, yet they have no clue that they exist. Yet, the question then becomes why does are society make it difficult on the people who need the most help to find the real help that they need?
On another note, I receive emails from a site called “The Daily Good” and while some of the articles I don’t agree with, they sent out one today that kind of touches on some problems out society is facing. It basically outlines that poverty remains consistent and present due to the violence it produces. The violence is what leads people to not only live in fear, but to do nothing about it. if any of you have time it is worth looking at!
http://www.good.is/posts/if-we-want-to-overcome-extreme-poverty-we-must-change-this?utm_source=tdg&utm_medium=email&utm_content=If%2BWe%2BWant%2Bto%2BOvercome%2BExtreme%2BPoverty%2C%2BWe%2BMust%2BChange%2BThis&utm_campaign=cta`