NIC faculty and students gathered in the SUB Tuesday, April 21, to discuss poverty and ways to address the issue inspired by the common read “Nickel and Dimed” by Barbara Ehnreich.
Sponsored by Diversity Events and the Diversity Steering Committee to promote efforts related to diversity at the college, this was the first common theme symposium at NIC, but won’t be the last. It is planned to have a discussion like this each year relating to the common theme and common read.
There were six NIC faculty speakers presenting ideas on what poverty is, ways to go about fixing it and inexpensive medical assistance options for those living in poverty and unable to afford medical care or needed medications.
“I judge poverty and inequality to be the most crucial issue of our age,” said speaker and philosophy instructor Pat Lippert.
Lippert gave a presentation on individualism and inequality, inspired by the book “Habits of the Heart” by Robert Bellah. Lippert explained four understandings of what it is to be an individual and how these could help with poverty.
Sociology instructor Dr. James Love spoke about the issue in terms of race. Love presented data about what poverty is and how it has affected different races. A single person making $11,670 a year which is about $5.61 an hour is considered to be in poverty. $8.50 an hour is the calculated living wage for this county. In the U.S. every 1-in-4 black and Hispanic people are in poverty. The definition of poverty is a condition of deprivation in which a person cannot live with dignity in society.
The U.S. is not the only country affected by poverty. Student Ladd Serwat gave a presentation on the exploitation of sub-Saharan Africa in the age of globalization. Serwat spoke about his own experiences while doing foreign studies in Africa.
Serwat witnessed what living in poverty does to people in Africa and student Michael Holloman experienced it in the U.S. Holloman gave his background of living in poverty during his presentation about using mindful spending to fight the cause.
“I want to persuade you to use mindful spending to have a positive effect on the impoverished people around us in our community and abroad,” Holloman said.
He suggested that consumers shop at stores based on their ethical standards. He provided a list of stores and companies that were graded based on this and encouraged people to shop at stores with a higher rating. Lists like this can be found online.
Fighting poverty is a difficult battle, especially for those trapped in it. Peggy Wasserman and Ginger Seaman from Heritage health shared information about chronic diseases and the expensive medication needed to treat them, along with ways to receive those needed medications and care for a low cost. This included heritage health’s services and an explanation of the website needymeds.org which can help with affording prescription medication.
Along with the speakers from NIC there were some members of the community who spoke and a chance for the audience to ask questions and discuss the topics with the speakers.
