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Importance of civic involvement essay
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After reading the brief excerpt from Willard Gaylin’s interview with Bill Moyers on the PBS program “A World of Ideas”, I agree that a lot of people in today’s world are self-centered. Willard Gaylin stated “I think we have trained a whole generation of people to think in terms of an isolated “I”, in his interview. This means that people only are concerned about themselves and not of others in the world who need more attention. For instance, most Americans don’t think about the middle class and the struggles they go through. The middle class has trouble with feeding their family, keeping or finding a job that will support their needs, or even having somewhere to stay. The unemployment rate is majority made up of the middle class because they don’t have the knowledge or benefits that the upper class have …show more content…
There is a lot of violence going on in the world along with hatred. Some people fail to realize that everyone in the world is equal. We all should be treated the same no matter what our sex, religion, or race is. There are people who have plentiful of money but will not give back to their own community they grew up in. Most people who have made it have come from a place where they didn’t have a pot to piss in. They should know how it feels to have struggles or to be poor. People like this should be happy and anxious to give back because they know how it felt to have little food to eat and not enough clothes to last throughout the week. We should be ready to open our mouth and express our feelings and thoughts to the world, not just through social media but actually going out and starting organizations to focus on a problem that we face as people in the world. There are a lot of homeless people in the world with no food, shelter, or clothes. People around the world should be willing to help out their community, just like Winthrop University does for the Rock Hill Community with Pack the
America was once known as the land of opportunity. However, that is no longer the case. Americans are still suffering from a depression that began three years ago in 2008. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007, the United States unemployment rates were 4.6 percent. In 2009, one year after the depression began, the unemployment rate rose to 7.6 percent. Millions of Americans are living in poverty, unable to afford the basic necessities. On the other hand, there is a minuscule percent of the population that are billionaires. Written in 2005, Holly Sklar’s essay “The Growing Gulf Between the Rich and the Rest of Us” argues that if something isn’t done about the growing inequality between the rich and the poor, the American economy as a whole will weaken. A year later, the Economist published the article, “Inequality and the American Dream” implies that the American dream is broken. Sklar’s argument sheds light on the Economist’s argument. In particular, Sklar’s use of facts regarding the wealthiest Americans, the poorest Americans, and the discussion of the impact of inequality on society provide insight into the Economist’s article.
‘Self justification involves denigrating a person or group to justify maltreatment of them’ (506). ‘ The poor are blamed for their problems; stereotypes of the homeless as bums, alcoholics and drug addicts, caught in a hopeless downward spiral because of their individual pathological behavior are omnipresent in the media’ (318). By continuously portraying those who have less than the socially accepted norm the media creates a climate in which those who are struggling to survive are dehumanized and this depiction creates a self justifying culture of prejudice against these people. ‘The media socializes us to believe that people in the upper class are much better than we are. The media also suggests that we need have no allegiance to people in our own class or to those who are less fortunate’ (316). ‘Research has found that people who extensively watch television have exaggerated views of how wealthy most American’s are’ (317). Parrillo defines frustration as a result of relative deprivation, or lack of resources compared to others in society and since the media promotes the idea that many Americans are living the economic stratosphere of the rich it is not surprising many Americans feel frustrated with their current socioeconomic position (510). Prepared with the knowledge of
There are many issues this world faces such as pollution, car fatalities, not taking care off the world etc.. People try and show their concerns for these issues by starting organisations or having protests and just trying to get people to realise that what they are doing is wrong and that we cant continue to live like this.
The media portrays the upper class as something to strive for. Obtaining wealth and material possessions will bring you a happy life. The only way to get ahead is to emulate the rich and powerful and to live vicariously through them (Kendall 316). The media’s emphasis on the upper class takes away from people living life for themselves. Instead, they are persuaded to obtain a lifestyle that is realistically out of their means. Kendall states, “Largely through marketing and advertising, television promoted the myth of the classless society, offering on one hand the images of the American dream fulfilled wherein any and everyone can become rich and on the other suggesting that the lived experience of this lack of class hierarchy was expressed by our equal right to purchase anything we could afford”. Exaggerated views of the rich and successful in America are largely portrayed via television. Which gives a false idea of what happiness, wealth and material possessions can bring (Kendall 317). The poor and homeless are at the bottom of the class structure and are often overlooked, ignored and only portrayed as deserving of sympathy. They are stereotyped to be people who have problems such as drugs or alcohol (Kendall 318). Kendall goes on to explain that the middle class is considered the “working class” and are
In the poem “Let America be America Again” by Langston Hughes, he states “The millions who have nothing for our pay--Except the dream that’s almost dead”. This means that people have been working hard all their lives to be successful and to live the “American Dream”, but it's all fake. This also shows that the American Dream really doesn’t exist. The documentary “Inequality For All” by Robert Reich has showed us that America really isn’t equal. Robert Reich states “The middle class is struggling”. This means that the middle is having to work ten times harder than the upper class to make a living and it's just not fair. This shows that everyone is just “indifferent”. This also shows that no one seems to care about making America the real “Dream”. I’m starting to question, who is actually looking out for the American workers? And to be honest, it’s NOBODY!! Mr. Reich also states “400 people have the most money in the U.S”. This is just showing Americans that the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. Economic Indifference is just making things harder and harder for Americans to make this dream into a
(Nohria, Envy and the American Dream) Is it possible the "American Dream" is just a nightmare consisting of the skyrocketing coast of living and the downhill domino effect whipping out the middle class? Is the death of the middle class a part of a larger movement our leaders are creating for a change they don 't want American 's to know too much about? "While the American Dream rests on a broad set of virtues—including a strong work ethic, a belief in meritocracy that enables mobility, and a welcoming attitude toward immigrants—its foundation is a spirit of optimism. The United States has always had what I think of as an "ambition economy," fueled by Horatio Alger tales and reinforced by modern stories of self-made men and women who 've become role models in business and politics." (Nohria, Envy and the
Most charities focus on issues overseas, but there 's issues right here in America that desperately need to be solved. Charity focus could help get less fortunate kids get a good education, and then help get them through college and start a good life and set them up for success. it could also get the homeless citizens into shelter or possibly even employ them and help get their life back on track, rehabilitation programs could also help them clean up their act. Veterans and elders could get the help they need to get insurance, and medical attention with a charity focus, they deserve to be treated equally. A little goes a long way for the less fortunate, what might be pocket money for you, could feed a homeless person that night, so they at least don 't have to be both hungry and cold. If Americans would focus on themselves for awhile a lot of issues could be extinguished in a short amount of time, and don’t underestimate the difference a local effort can do. The World can’t be changed in a short amount of time, but if America could find the money and time to focus on the issues at home, then they could put the focus back overseas to help them with their efforts. Little by little America can work out the kinks and keep heading towards national security on finances and also be able to insure that all of the citizens can make it by too.The world has a bright future, but before the
Our actions leave impressions on other people’s lives every day. If we could all work together we could knock out many problems that plague impoverished countries every day; like famine and war. When we do not interact in a positive loving way chaos, fighting, and war breaks out. If the human race as a whole does not learn how to cooperate and take only as much as we need, our lives as we know them could fall apart. We see it constantly repeated in early civilization what happens when a society takes too much; they all crumble as a result of greed and
I’ve grown up in a country where ignoring the levels of poverty and the lack of justice is somehow impossible. Today poverty is one of the most complex issues the world is facing. I’ve been witness to hundreds of people that have been trying to improve the situations in Colombia. Most of those people are worldwide known and are international leaders, such as Shakira, Falcao, Alvaro Uribe. I’ve collaborated with the community who has a lack of resources in some occasions. Every year my family will donate clothes and some money to a foundation that will help people with needs. I helped with the cleaning of an old house that the school is planning on turning into a school for people with little resources in the region. Also last year I had the opportunity to go to a poor region outside of Antioquia. We were a group of girls lead by some nuns, and the purpose was to gather people from all town to spend the afternoons with us. We realized activities for people of all ages, it was an stupendous experience. I wish I could give more to the world and especially to the countries that are really being affected by poverty issues. Being able to share time and experiences with people from different social classes can really open your mind. I have no doubt about my country’s cultural wealth and the impro...
One would expect that social equality would just be the norm in society today. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Three similar stories of how inequality and the hard reality of how America’s society and workforce is ran shows a bigger picture of the problems American’s have trying to make an honest living in today’s world. When someone thinks about the American dream, is this the way they pictured it? Is this what was envisioned for American’s when thinking about what the future held? The three authors in these articles don’t believe so, and they are pretty sure American’s didn’t either. Bob Herbert in his article “Hiding from Reality” probably makes the most honest and correct statement, “We’re in denial about the extent of the rot in the system, and the effort that would be required to turn things around” (564).
Whether it be mentoring, helping the homeless, giving blood, holding a charity event or helping support those in need. No matter what the type of work you do is, it matters as long as it helps the community become a better place. The act of kindness that you perform today can save a life tomorrow. Every person isn’t born with ethical thoughts, or thoughts at all but they learn them as they grow. For example, if you see your parents or someone that you admire do good things such as giving back, and help people who need it or just doing right by the religion that they follow, then there is a split chance, that you will follow in those same exact footsteps and fill them just as well as you were taught. Not saying you have to go out of your way to give money to help someone pay for groceries and do things for the less fortunate, but put yourself in their shoes. What would life be like from the other side? Could you still have everything you have now? Everybody can’t be financially stable all the time and you never know when the tables could turn and you can be in their place. It doesn 't take much time to make a difference in your community or any community rather. Give what you can and be that change you want to see in others. We have to learn to work together, rather than despising one another or not getting along with each other for no reason logical. “Two minds are greater than one”. If we stop working against each other and start
People just need to be more trusting and have faith in people. A great example would be the movie “the Blind Side” that is a truly beautiful story about a young African American boy that is homeless being taken in by a family, but others judge them for it. This story in particular is very special in my heart because I have grown up with kids that do not have anything and that come from nothing. In our surrounding area I have seen a lot of pregnant homeless women that do not have the finical stability to even see or visit an OBGYN for their unborn child. We all have the opportunity to change someone life. For starters we could help homeless men and women get the correct attire for potential job opportunities. Also we could take the time to help them find a job that fits their needs just right, and maybe even help them attend job fairs. We could also take the time to help homeless me and women with drug and alcohol addiction put them in facility so maybe one day they can be rejoined with their loved ones. It is a beautiful thing for that organization to help long lost loved ones to come together and finally be
“If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich” (Kennedy 463). He describes the consequences of being selfish by explaining that focusing on one group will not bring success in the U.S but bring it down. There are many who are poor and suffering, but a few who are
When my mother saw beggars standing on the intersection asking for help, my mom would try to help them by giving them the money, but my father would argue that you should not help because this would only encourage them to rely on other people’s help. My father says they should helped by the government, instate of helped by individuals. It is not our responsibility to take care of them. I disagree with both of them because they do not look at or think about the problem closely enough. I think people are not only facing problems with wealth, but diseases, and war. These are also problems that many people in many other countries also face. If we work together, we may be able to help each other and make this world better. In my opinion, there are several solutions that poor countries and wealthy countries working together could implement that would benefit both.
As we turn 11 years of age, barely old enough to understand anything in life we ask our parents for a cell phone, not just a cell phone but the latest newest iPhone that just came out. And as good parent that we want to be seen by our children we go ahead and spend that $700 dollars and buy them the newest iPhone not thinking what does an 11 year old need a phone for. At the age of 16 we ask for our own first car not just any car; we ask for a Mercedes or an Audi so when driving down the street our neighbors don’t look down on us. Again as an average middle class Orange County parents who we are we don’t want our children to be left out of the society neither do we want to look like we can’t afford what John’s dad can. We are just average middle class Americans who are working hard to stay a lined with society and enjoy what we have worked hard for several years of our lives. On the other part of the world which we are unaware of there are people who are dying of disease and hunger. Afghanistan being one of those countries where a kid is dying every 5 seconds because of hunger, not just dying but starving to death. A person in Afghanistan would do anything to feed their family even if it means selling one family member to feed the rest. In the villages of Afghanistan a 6 year old is sold to an old wealthy man by their own parents in order to feed the rest of their family. This shows the desperate need that they have for something so simple that we in America take for granted. Our donations can make a big different to other countries even if seems small to us. We might think our $200 a month is not going to help feed every hungry child or cure every ill child, but if everyone did their part we can make a visi...