Recently the Deseret News ran an article describing our poverty project. In response to this article, many people posted comments online that perpetuated the misconception that because poverty in America isn’t as extreme as poverty in developing counties, it isn’t a real or serious issue. Here are a few of the comments:

“Only in America can people pretend to be poor for a little while. Go to Africa, Indochina, Central America. Experimentation is a real EYE opener.”

“The american people don't know what poor and even being in poverty is. Our version of poor is condisered wealthy in a real poverty stricken country. The american people will always have this poor class in its society and its always been looked down upon as a choice these people make.”

“I agree that Americans (most Americans) truly don't get it--about being poor. I've been to a third world country--and have seen what real poverty is.”


It upsets me that people make light of poverty in America because it isn’t as bad as other regions of the world. No, we don’t have large populations of people who lack access to clean water, sanitation or basic education…but poverty is not a competition. Unlike countries such as India, Kenya and Bangladesh, we have the financial means to end chronic poverty. The resources exist in the United States to ensure a minimum standard of living for all of its citizens. No child in America should wonder where there his/her next meal is going to come from, or where he/she is going to sleep each night. All full-time workers should earn a liveable wage. Healthcare should not be a luxury for those fortunate enough to have it provided through their employer.

I don’t think either Shawn or I are unaware of the extreme hardships faced by people living in developing countries. Having spent significant amounts of time working with NGOs in Thailand, Kenya and India, I don’t think I have yet to experience the “real eye opener” that is suggested above. I choose to focus on ending chronic poverty in America because it is something that is achievable with enough social and political will.

Just as the dynamics of poverty differ between the developed and developing world, so do the solutions. Unlike other countries, progress in America is not mired in rampant political corruption, lack of infrastructure, overpopulation or widespread disease. Change in the United States and in Utah is stymied by lack of awareness and by widely held misconceptions about poverty.