Review of "Myth of Poverty Culture"

Here's an article I was sent about poverty. Thought you might be interested.

http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.459dee008f99653fb85516f762108a0c/?javax.portlet.tpst=d5b9c0fa1a493266805516f762108a0c_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_d5b9c0fa1a493266805516f762108a0c_journaltypeheaderimage=%2FASCD%2Fimages%2Fmultifiles%2Fpublications%2Felmast.gif&javax.portlet.prp_d5b9c0fa1a493266805516f762108a0c_viewID=article_view&javax.portlet.prp_d5b9c0fa1a493266805516f762108a0c_journalmoid=4284eb69f6a29110VgnVCM1000003d01a8c0RCRD&javax.portlet.prp_d5b9c0fa1a493266805516f762108a0c_articlemoid=0de4eb69f6a29110VgnVCM1000003d01a8c0RCRD&javax.portlet.prp_d5b9c0fa1a493266805516f762108a0c_journalTypePersonalization=ASCD_EL&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=token&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=token

Jeff Long

The article is good, although I note that he give a revrse sterotype by answering each myth with "poor people do..." this. The point of stereotype is to characterize individuals by group, rather than seeing them as individuals. This is an unfortunate tendancy in U.S. politics and education.

We need to recognize that there IS, to a certain degree, a culture of the poor. It is not so much a matter of values as of priorities. Ruth Payne has an excellent chart distinguishing different cultural values of dfferent classes. I attached it. Again, this is not a matter of stereotype, but of tendancies. And those who have the lower class outlook are given reason to believe that their values are insignigicant or immoral in the broader culture of the U.S. because the ruling class is the middle class.

Certainly there is classism. But it is less experienced in public education than in the church, in politics, and in higher and private education. How many poor people are invited to be a pastor, an elder, a representative in denominational meetings? How many poor people are given the opportunity to run for any office on any level of government? How many poor people are given the opportunity to experience the better educational opportunities?

It seems to me that the focus should be put on other institutions for a while, rather than public education, to provide equity for the lower classes.

Steve