Diana George, a successful writer, and Professor of English at Virginia Tech Polytechnic Institute and State University wrote a textual analysis on the following Bell Hooks quote: “Constructively changing the ways the poor are represented in every aspect of life is one progressive intervention that can challenge everyone to look at the face of poverty and not turn away.” (675)
George argues that the nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity’s strategy of representing the poverty in order to receive donations and volunteers requires an adjustment, and is inadvertently impairing their cause as opposed to aiding (676). She goes on to say that she is not condemning the remarkable achievements they have produced and is simply bringing light to
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In the welfare system, if you earn more income, they raise your rent. I once knew someone that claimed she “made more money” not being employed rather than being employed; due to her rent was increased and her benefits were decreased upon her increased income. She ended up quitting her job because of this reason and chose to live solely off of government assistance. Unlike the welfare system, mortgages for homes built by Habitat for Humanity are not raised, regardless of an increase in income, and, once the mortgage is paid, they own the home …show more content…
Myself, for example, I am a full-time office manager and serve tables on weekends to pay for the extra necessities like food, gas, and clothing. I drive a nice car, live in a nice house, and dress professionally. Those that see me may assume I have plenty of money or come from money, when in reality, I work two jobs for survival and necessity; hence, the working poor. In my case, I am working towards my degree to rise above my financial struggles and gratefully, the only mouth I have to feed is my own. I would not be able to afford to have a child. The money it would cost to pay for childcare while I am at work would pretty much be what I make that day. I would have to seek assistance from the government. And as mentioned previously, welfare is a cycle that although has and does help many, it keeps them in that same financial position. All in all, the face of poverty is not limited to the sad and depressing commercials you see on television. The face of poverty is not unclean and clothed in rags. The face of poverty is the person standing next to you in line at the gas station, the well-dressed business woman at the grocery store, and the single mom at the mall. In order to bring in more donations and understanding to nonprofit