Dorothy Knudsen is a female minister in Oregon who is very gracious and wise in the way she treats fellow humans.
Jason Wickland unfortunately has had a few incidents calling his character into question. He is manager of local soup kitchen bunk scheme.
I'm going to post Dorothy's superior article first, then try to tack on Jason's below, for your comparison.
'White Trash' explains the underclass in America
Dorothy Knudson, Presbyterian 1 hr ago (0)
I’m reading a landmark book that has provided answers to questions I have floating around in my head as a Christian and as an American: Why do we have so many hungry children? Why are our schools so low in world rankings? Why is it so hard for some people to achieve the American Dream of faring better than their parents? The book is “White Trash: The 400 Year Untold History of Class in America,” by Nancy Isenberg. It answered some questions and helped me put other things I’d read in context.
Even before the United States was a country, what many people thought of as human “trash,” or “rubbish,” were shipped here or encouraged to come to provide “manure.” There was no consideration given to their health or well-being. Indentured servants arrived to find their contracts sold and lengthened. Often they didn’t live out the length of their contracts. According to Isenberg, what is clearly documented are the ways in which these people were kept from working their way up.
We already know that when the U.S. Constitution was written, only 5 to 6 percent of the population were the white male property owners for whom the privileges were meant.
In other words, 94 to 95 percent of the residents of this country were not included.
Over time, more people were included in the concept of citizenship, but not without a fight. Women have been voting for only a quarter of our history, for instance.
The total disregard for this population, the ways in which they were tricked out of property they cleared and worked, their lack of adequate nutrition, equating to starvation in many cases, in astounding numbers.
I kept remembering a book, “True American, Murder and Mercy in Texas,” by Anand Gricharadas, which tells the story of a Bangladeshi immigrant, Rais Bhuyan, shot by Texan Mark Storman shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, in the mistaken belief that Bhuyan was an Iraqi. Bhuyan made the Hajj, and realized that he needed to try to get Storman released from prison. Bhuyan became aware that he’d had more opportunities and privileges as an immigrant than the native-born Storman. In terms of “White Trash,” Storman would qualify. One of the conclusions of Gricharadas’ book is that only one out of three Americans can actually live the dream.
“White Trash” is a well-researched, pivotal book that looks at treatment of Native Americans and African slaves along with the white underclass. What is clear is that the reality of “white trash” is structural and ongoing. When the schools in Little Rock, Ark., were integrated, Democratic Gov. Orval Faubus hoped to resist integration, which is why the city’s poorest school was the first integrated. He wanted the “white trash” to resist black students.
If some members of our society have been so hungry they ate clay and were afflicted with pellagra and hook worm, why am I surprised that one in five children in America is hungry? Then, as now, the victims have been looked down on with the claim made it is somehow their own fault. In contemporary rankings, only Romania has more children in poverty than the United States.
Finland, always top ranked for education, has as its goal to teach all students equitably. Yet conversations between Americans and Finns are frustrating because Americans do not seem to hear the goal of Finnish educators. Resources are divided equally in Finland. Contemporary lawsuits point out the uneven funding of our schools. Both Washington state and Connecticut have been sued because of uneven opportunity the use of property taxes to fund schools provides. Children living in districts where their parents pay higher property taxes have a much fuller education than those living in poverty. The judge in Connecticut used terms like “sumptuous” for students in the richer districts.
Students in the United States may or may not receive an excellent education, depending on the wealth of their parents. In schools where only 10 percent of the children are in poverty are first in reading. The poorer the school, the lower the scores. Not surprisingly, these poorer school have a majority of “White Trash” along with many people of color. A speaker on an education on recent program on NOVA said “inequality in the United States is our Achilles’ heel.”
So it seems as a nation, we haven’t let go of an underclass and treat way too many people accordingly. In a rich country, how is it that over 20 percent of our students are in poverty? We don’t even have to ask, who are they?
As a Christian it concerns me that even our churches are divided along class lines. So many of the people Jesus cared about have been ignored and despised. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32. My hope is that having documentation of how long too many people have been considered unimportant will inspire us all to work for change so that all the people Christ loves will be included in reaping the rewards of our society.
The Rev. Dorothy Price Knudson is retired from active ministry in the Presbyterian Church, but still preaches regularly at various local churches and Presbyterian churches in the Eastern Oregon Presbytery. She can be reached by email at dpknud@hotmail.com.
What really helps the homeless
Jason Wicklund Special to the Union-bulletin Updated 4 hrs ago (0)
With all the recent attention the subject of homelessness is getting in our community, I’m often asked about ways people can help the homeless. So, as someone who has worked with this population for nearly 20 years at the Christian Aid Center, here are my suggestions on how you can really help the homeless.
First of all, one of the best things you can do is to understand how they got there in the first place. In most cases, homelessness is just a symptom of bigger problems in someone’s life. Struggles such as addiction, mental illness, domestic violence, criminal record, poverty, lack of job skills, or emotional scars can result in a person experiencing homelessness.
I’m very proud of how compassionate our community is and how we rally together when there is a need. However, handing out resources such as food, blankets, tents or clothing directly to people brings challenges of its own and doesn’t provide dignity. It only makes them more comfortable in their situation.
It doesn’t give them hope or the tools for overcoming their circumstances.
And frequently, these resources end up being used for trading or purchasing drugs, alcohol or sexual favors. Instead, take resources to the organizations that already have systems established to distribute them to the ones that need them most.
Another thing I love about our community is that no one has to ever go hungry here. There are a number of churches that provide free lunches from Monday through Saturday.
And at the Christian Aid Center we offer hot and nutritious breakfast and dinner daily for anyone in need — totaling more than 37,000 meals each year. Also, local food banks provide boxes with groceries.
Making sure the most vulnerable are safe is another thing you can do for the homeless. Women, the elderly, and — especially — children should live in a safe environment away from sexual offenders, people under the influence and criminal activity. Refer homeless individuals to a shelter like the Christian Aid Center or the YWCA (for victims of domestic violence) where they will be safe and removed from negative influences.
The other day, one of our staff members approached a woman panhandling at a busy intersection. Her young son was playing at her feet. A sign indicated they were homeless and needed help, so the staff member offered to take them back to the Christian Aid Center.
Sadly, she declined because she wouldn’t be allowed to continue using drugs while staying at our shelter. And besides, her child had someone with whom to play at the homeless campground.
This is one regrettable example of why you shouldn’t assume claims by homeless individuals are always accurate. And you shouldn’t assume homeless people have never been offered housing or shelter.
Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to give up destructive habits and embark on the hard work of change. But for those who do desire change, offer them real change, not spare change. Which brings me to the subject of panhandling.
Instead of giving to panhandlers, I suggest giving to the agencies in town which already serve the poor and homeless. Often these agencies already know the individuals and are in a better position to determine what kind of help will improve their lives.
So really, when it comes down to helping the homeless, the most important thing is to do it with a long-term strategy. Someone living in homelessness didn’t get in that predicament in five minutes, so showing up and dropping off stuff with a five minute conversation isn’t going to fix it. They need someone willing to have a long-term relationship with them. They need someone that can provide support and accountability.
You can do this by getting involved with one of the many nonprofits in town that are experienced in helping this population. I know we couldn’t do what we do at the Christian Aid Center if it wasn’t for the more than 275 monthly volunteers. They serve food, care for children, teach classes, cut hair, collect food, provide basic medical care and organize donations.
So, to really help the homeless, understand the root of the problem, don’t make them comfortable in their situation, treat them with dignity, make sure they are safe, support the organizations already in place to help them, and contribute your time or money.
All of these things should be done in the spirit of stopping the cycle of homelessness. It will benefit them, their innocent children, and our incredible community.
And one last thing. If you ever want to see for yourself what the Christian Aid Center does to really help the homeless, please call us to schedule a Discovery Tour of our campus.
Jason Wicklund has been executive director of the Christian Aid Center since 2006. He may be reached at jwicklund@christianaidcenter.org.