For the past several months, the idea of our divided country has been most manifest by simply scrolling my social media feed. Perhaps it comes from who I am and who I choose to befriend, but my feed can give you whiplash as the post bounce back and forth between hard right and hard left. As an example of this, a few weeks ago I noted that there were suddenly several posts about poverty and economics (and this was BEFORE the debate about whether someone should budget for health care rather than a smartphone).
In one instance, one friend posted this article that explained “7 lies about Welfare.” The seven included “welfare recipients are lazy,” “welfare payments are too high” and “welfare is not effective.” It’s a good read full of evidence and facts. But then, another friend posted a link to this video that takes welfare and the “War on Welfare” to task. One of the central points is the average welfare payout provides more money than those same people could find at a job. In fact, they argue, that in the 8 most generous states, a person would have to make $25 an hour to make more than they receive in welfare.
Take 5 minutes to give it a look. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nN1HqAps4Y]
Who’s right? Well, since I am not an economist, I will refrain. My point of posting both is to urge you to a deeper passion of mine. To be a successful person, you have to able to allow yourself to consider all points of view. As I teach my students, and have written here previously, a critical thinker holds one’s own opinions loosely, always eager to consider other viewpoints.
Right now in the country, and perhaps in your circle of friends, there is concrete and steel in opinions. Everyone is absolutely certain about their “right-ness” and equally about how wrong the other side is. I know why…everyone thinks the future is imperiled. Maybe…I do concur that we face issues and I, like many, have strong opinions about answers.
But, I have to also openly say–and do often–that I don’t know the answer. And, I am willing to listen to or read other’s ideas. For sure I want to listen to experts. So, while I don’t have any necessary perfect answers regarding poverty…and especially in connection to race or racism. For that, I leave you this last video. It’s long, but superb. It’s on Economist Walter Williams who currently is a Professor at George Mason. If you are interested in either poverty or the connection to poverty and race, give it a listen.
Dr. Williams may not have the right answer either—and I can promise many of you will not agree with his positions—and that is okay. Challenge yourself to consider another point of view, and don’t simply turn him off or disagree because you don’t like the answer. If you want to disagree, by all means do but do so with facts and evidence.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZGvQcxoAPg]