Somehow when I read the piece entitled, “Public Radio and the Poor,” the phrase “money talks” immediately came to mind.  How true it is, really.  This article talks about Chicago Public Radio Station WBEZ posting four of its stations in  south side neighborhoods, poor neighborhoods whose stories typically would not be covered unless real-time human beings were physically present in those areas living and breathing their real-time stories.  Stories of the hood involved the high drop out rate at the high schools, teen pregnancy and parenthood, and the ineffective efforts to address these issues, etc.  The keynote example, however, highlighted the fact that the real mouthpiece for highlighting problems in the hood still emanates from those of financial stature.  A congressman’s son was shot across the street from a  south side hospital, but this hospital – as is true for all south side hospitals – did not have a trauma center.  The boy died, and his congressman father felt that he might have lived had the hospital been equipped to deal with his injuries.  His, the congressman’s, voice is the voice that is heard by people who hold the purse strings that could make a difference.

Perhaps it important that the masses hear the stories of the people struggling in the underbellies of our cities.  Many surely care.  Most feel helpless – myself often among that group.  But perhaps we are all waiting to be delivered from evil/unrighteousness by those with means who are somehow affected by the plight of those without.  It is only when the structural inequality affects those who typically are privileged that the issues come to the attention of those with the power to make a difference.