"The good news is that it’s fixable . . . by tpolicies that fund equal education, good-paying jobs, and a good food, health and well-being program for all Americans."
Well, that's a relief. But why haven't our politicians implemented these policies over the past three hundred years?? Wait! . . . Mark . . . maybe they don't know about your policies! You should tell them -- tell them right now so that all Americans can have equal education, good-paying jobs, and a good food, health and well-being program! And while you're at it, tell us your policies for breeding unicorns, world peace, and time travel.
Well, that's a relief. But why haven't our politicians implemented these policies over the past three hundred years?? Wait! . . . Mark . . . maybe they don't know about your policies! You should tell them -- tell them right now so that all Americans can have equal education, good-paying jobs, and a good food, health and well-being program! And while you're at it, tell us your policies for breeding unicorns, world peace, and time travel.
14
"If you’re born in a bad neighborhood you will go to a bad school; "
And what makes it a "bad school"? The violence.
When I lived in Detroit we had grand social experiments during the Model Cities golden age. When my family, friends and neighbors were the victims of increasing crime and racial violence we looked to the good leaders of the Democratic party for relief. They claimed were were just afraid of "the unknown" and "people who looked different from us". When the violence increased and we raised concerns we were told by the good liberals (fewer and fewer of which were living in our neighborhood) that we were trying to make the city of Detroit fail because it had African-American leadership. When violence became so intolerable and obvious the liberals said "why don't you just move out already?". When we did that the liberals shouted "see, white flight, that's the cause of the problem". And on and on it goes, but the guilt account is closed.
And what makes it a "bad school"? The violence.
When I lived in Detroit we had grand social experiments during the Model Cities golden age. When my family, friends and neighbors were the victims of increasing crime and racial violence we looked to the good leaders of the Democratic party for relief. They claimed were were just afraid of "the unknown" and "people who looked different from us". When the violence increased and we raised concerns we were told by the good liberals (fewer and fewer of which were living in our neighborhood) that we were trying to make the city of Detroit fail because it had African-American leadership. When violence became so intolerable and obvious the liberals said "why don't you just move out already?". When we did that the liberals shouted "see, white flight, that's the cause of the problem". And on and on it goes, but the guilt account is closed.
34
Mr. Bittman, you've a fan base because you preach to the choir spouting generalities that most liberals want to hear, an echo chamber of belief. But as for as insight and analysis goes you represent a low in the Grey Lady's journalistic threshold. While you tout an array of statistical disparities, to what end? They make a case for nothing.
Here's a statistic to chew on: 4% of Asian Americans are born out of wedlock compared to 70% of African Americans. Asian Americans do better than any other racial group economically and academically. But when they arrived fresh of the boat en masse, it's not like school systems were lavishing them with money. Their parents make their kids study more, plain and simple. African Americans born to a single parent puts more black children in poverty than any other factor. Combined with a culture that places relatively low priority on education their fate is sealed. Yet you call for more funding in school while living in a city that has the highest spending per pupil of any public school system in the nation while the majority of black students still perform well below grade level and show marginal improvement in spite of "reforms".
What does that tell you? You can spend 100k per pupil but without a cultural shift that prioritizes education the results will still be abysmal.
Here's a statistic to chew on: 4% of Asian Americans are born out of wedlock compared to 70% of African Americans. Asian Americans do better than any other racial group economically and academically. But when they arrived fresh of the boat en masse, it's not like school systems were lavishing them with money. Their parents make their kids study more, plain and simple. African Americans born to a single parent puts more black children in poverty than any other factor. Combined with a culture that places relatively low priority on education their fate is sealed. Yet you call for more funding in school while living in a city that has the highest spending per pupil of any public school system in the nation while the majority of black students still perform well below grade level and show marginal improvement in spite of "reforms".
What does that tell you? You can spend 100k per pupil but without a cultural shift that prioritizes education the results will still be abysmal.
61
For decades, low-income communities of color have suffered as grocery stores and fresh, affordable food disappeared from their neighborhoods.
Many low-income communities, communities of color, and sparsely populated rural areas do not have sufficient opportunities to buy healthy, affordable food. The consequences are very clear, decreased access to healthy food means people in low-income communities suffer more from diet-related diseases like obesity and diabetes than those in higher-income neighborhoods with easy access to healthy food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative has helped develop supermarkets and other fresh food outlets in 78 underserved urban and rural areas, increasing access to healthy food for nearly 500,000 residents and creating or retaining 4,860 jobs. Successful policies and programs, like in Pennsylvania, need to be replicated and brought to a greater scale to increase healthy food acces.
Many low-income communities, communities of color, and sparsely populated rural areas do not have sufficient opportunities to buy healthy, affordable food. The consequences are very clear, decreased access to healthy food means people in low-income communities suffer more from diet-related diseases like obesity and diabetes than those in higher-income neighborhoods with easy access to healthy food, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables.
The Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative has helped develop supermarkets and other fresh food outlets in 78 underserved urban and rural areas, increasing access to healthy food for nearly 500,000 residents and creating or retaining 4,860 jobs. Successful policies and programs, like in Pennsylvania, need to be replicated and brought to a greater scale to increase healthy food acces.
14
Chicago, and Baltimore, and every other large city have been paying reparations for police misbehavior. The question is, are "reparations" being built into budget and part of the cost of doing business?
5
Kudos to Mr. Bittman for spelling out the blatant truth that is invisible to all that choose to do so. How many of my well to do friends and relatives have derided those "irresponsible parents" who walk out of convenience stores with cheap hot dogs and super sized sodas and not feed their children steamed organic asparagus and natural chicken breasts. How many minutes does it take to prepare such a healthy meal, they would exclaim! No, most of us can never be shamed by the injustice all around us.
10
ALL public schools should be funded equally regardless of the neighborhood. It has never made sense to me that a poor neighborhood's schools receive less of the property tax pie than a wealthier neighborhood. Fix this discrepancy and lives will change dramatically. This isn't socialism, this is fairness.
33
Simply another liberal column trying to excuse black parents (mainly fathers) for not taking care of their children. If there was a strong family system within the black community (much as the one that existed in 1950), 80% of the problems of the black community would vanish. Instead liberals prefer to obsess with respect to peripheral problems instead of taking actions to solve the underlying problem.
JD
JD
28
what are your remedies?
20
Brilliant, brilliant- TY Mark Bittman for seeing things so clearly, and having the courage to speak out when so many won't. Inequity is violence and it is destroying our children, our schools, our country. "Death by a thousand cuts" absolutely- and unjust and intolerable. You are my bread baking guru, but now I know you are so much more than "a food guy." Bravo!
20
"If you’re born in a bad neighborhood you will go to a bad school…"
This may be a good description of current reality but it's not necessarily a universal truth. Public education is exquisitely responsive to the demands of the population it serves, regardless of their socioeconomic level.
If the community places a very high value on education and therefore insists on good schools, they will get good schools. Two poor groups that have historically forced public education to be excellent (at least in their own areas) are the Jews in New York City in the last century and the Chinese in San Francisco now.
It can be done, but it must be done by the communities themselves.
This may be a good description of current reality but it's not necessarily a universal truth. Public education is exquisitely responsive to the demands of the population it serves, regardless of their socioeconomic level.
If the community places a very high value on education and therefore insists on good schools, they will get good schools. Two poor groups that have historically forced public education to be excellent (at least in their own areas) are the Jews in New York City in the last century and the Chinese in San Francisco now.
It can be done, but it must be done by the communities themselves.
18
Interesting observation, Al. And both the groups you mentioned are voluntary immigrants to the US who arrived with their families, their support networks and their values intact. Not true, as you know, for African-Americans who have been violently oppressed here for centuries.
35
This is a brilliant article. Thank you. Its time to stand up and do something about it. All of us.
16
Most people just don't understand the difficulty here. With a decent education and some money it still requires a place to prepare your food. You can't buy good food if you can't get to a good grocery store.
There are a number of stupid remarks. Ann says "eat out of the dumpster." She's obviously highly skilled in this matter. Probably used to the effort of climbing in a dumpster, if she finds one unlocked. Probably delighted to get those produce items the grocer threw out. How simple to clean what you scrounge from beneath the the layers, counting calories and grams of protein. Ann's father probably drives her around town to her favorite refuse containers. If you don't have a car how easy to board the bus with the money you save. Perhaps a three hour round trip gives you time to study nutrition. One of the problems is that not everyone is as smart and energetic as Ann.
There are a number of stupid remarks. Ann says "eat out of the dumpster." She's obviously highly skilled in this matter. Probably used to the effort of climbing in a dumpster, if she finds one unlocked. Probably delighted to get those produce items the grocer threw out. How simple to clean what you scrounge from beneath the the layers, counting calories and grams of protein. Ann's father probably drives her around town to her favorite refuse containers. If you don't have a car how easy to board the bus with the money you save. Perhaps a three hour round trip gives you time to study nutrition. One of the problems is that not everyone is as smart and energetic as Ann.
17
Respectfully, Mr. Bittman, a whole lot more white Americans need to see, and say, what you have just said in your article. And then we white Americans need to stand up to every situation where we see this modern day oppression and inequality and say, "I won't allow this anymore. White supremacy will not do this in my white name anymore."
19
Mark, I love you, but stick to food. You're not trained as an economist and, frankly, it shows. You come off as a little commie. Socialism had its 70-year experiment in Russia and it failed.
12
There is a huge difference between socialism and communism. Those are political systems. Helping your own community, at least those that want to be helped and are willing to help others and themselves is how we all grow.
32
Living in NYC, I see the police dealing with these kinds of people every day on the street. In general, I see them using great self-restraint under the most trying of circumstances. I know I would lose my temper. That they don't deserves to be mentioned, but somehow the entire introduction in this column is all about the poor woman.
16
In a Dominican town on the outskirts of Boston, Lawrence MA, there are very few overweight adolescents. Although their parents are not involved in their schooling, they manage to feed them rice, beans, and meat and vegetable stews. People bring fried plantains and fruit to sell at school.
In contrast in NYC people quickly assimilate to the American culture of chips and fast food. In rural white America, one sees the same- high obesity. African-Americans are of course very assimilated Americans, and cook like other Americans. Poor food choices by Americans are due to policies that favor food corporations, it is not a race problem. Let's not conflate the two.
On the other hand, our country is in sad shape, and we are punishing the poorest people. We see people rebelling in inner cities and unless something changes, we will see it in other regions as well.
In contrast in NYC people quickly assimilate to the American culture of chips and fast food. In rural white America, one sees the same- high obesity. African-Americans are of course very assimilated Americans, and cook like other Americans. Poor food choices by Americans are due to policies that favor food corporations, it is not a race problem. Let's not conflate the two.
On the other hand, our country is in sad shape, and we are punishing the poorest people. We see people rebelling in inner cities and unless something changes, we will see it in other regions as well.
13
Contrast this with what the most wealthy are able to enjoy: Fresh food delivered weekly, personal chefs, dinning out at the best restaurants, high-end kitchens. One could argue that along with the lack of access, the wealthy have too much access--eating well at an obscene rate, if that makes sense. If a fraction of the food budget of the one percent was allocated for poorer families, this could be solved. Is there such thing as a health food glutton? Overdoing it in the face of such poverty?
6
That's ridiculous. We're trying to lift the bottom up, not pull the top down.
@J: How does my comment "pull the top down"?
1
"Is there such thing as a health food glutton? Overdoing it in the face of such poverty?"
Then what's this last sentence mean? They're eating TOO healthy? Couple Big Macs a week for hedge fund managers will narrow the nutrition gap with the poorest Americans?
Then what's this last sentence mean? They're eating TOO healthy? Couple Big Macs a week for hedge fund managers will narrow the nutrition gap with the poorest Americans?
1
KPCC, the local NPR carrier, recently published a piece on South Los Angeles. Healthy food option is increasing, but that's only the first step. Such issues as poverty and racism are complicated. One can always argue that any given solution is not THE solution. For reality is, there is not just one solution and one solution is often inadequate.
Rather than fixate on the rhetorics, let's start somewhere. And availability of food is a great place to start. Lofty talks of reconciliation, justice, opportunity, etc, are meaningless if one is starving.
http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/04/16/51038/healthy-options-are-popping-up...
Rather than fixate on the rhetorics, let's start somewhere. And availability of food is a great place to start. Lofty talks of reconciliation, justice, opportunity, etc, are meaningless if one is starving.
http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/04/16/51038/healthy-options-are-popping-up...
5
Until White America and White Privilege wakes up from its entitled slumber of obliviousness to our real American apartheid system, I think we should at least change our name to the Apartheid States of America to accurately reflect the way this country has treated, discriminated, marginalized and devalued black Americans.
America has made progress since the Civil War ended in 1865 and the Civil Rights era of the 1960's, but not much.
America has made progress since the Civil War ended in 1865 and the Civil Rights era of the 1960's, but not much.
20
"It occurred to all of us, I’m sure, that she could have her spine broken in the paddy wagon."
How many times has that happened? She also could be taken to jail and then released within hours on her own cognizance. Did you take a poll of what everyone was thinking? I know this is a tough pill to swallow, but not everyone thinks like you do...thankfully.
How many times has that happened? She also could be taken to jail and then released within hours on her own cognizance. Did you take a poll of what everyone was thinking? I know this is a tough pill to swallow, but not everyone thinks like you do...thankfully.
17
Any one in the United States can afford to eat, unless the money is spent on, say, drugs, cigarettes, booze or other priorities. Irresponsibility is not the nation's fault, nor is jobless laziness or not taking a happy job or one "beneath" one's degree, experience or desire.
Http://www.periodoctablet.com
Http://www.periodoctablet.com
10
Nope. You are wrong.
20
Thank you for your even-minded sanity, your tenacity, and your egalitarian compassion. Robert Khanlian
11
Once you've lived in the Third World, it's hard to people like Bittman seriously. The great divide isn't between black people in the inner cities and rich white people; it's between fat America and places in the world where people have real problems with access to food, whether from drought or from war and political chaos or from military occupation by a foreign power. If you live in a city in the US there is free food in dumpsters, perfectly edible, and if you live outside a city you can grow many plants from a $1 packet of seeds. Get real.
19
Too bad the NYT doesn't have a competition for worst comment because the comment above would surely win it today.
I can't recall the last time I read anything anywhere so drenched in privilege, so blithely myopic: "free food in dumpsters, perfectly edible"!!!!!!!!!
It would be funny if it weren't so terribly evil.
Take some of your own advice and "get real."
I can't recall the last time I read anything anywhere so drenched in privilege, so blithely myopic: "free food in dumpsters, perfectly edible"!!!!!!!!!
It would be funny if it weren't so terribly evil.
Take some of your own advice and "get real."
29
"Anne", yours is one of the most insensitive, unaware comments I have ever seen posted on the NY Times online, save for those that have been blatantly racist or just plain zany. The comparison is not between the poor here and the poor in economically deprived countries. It is between here and here, not here and there.
I had never heard your "let them eat from dumpsters" suggestion. Perhaps you should call President Obama and let him know of this "solution".
I have spent time in nations where the circumstances were very difficult, Haiti and Guatemala among them. That people have it far worse does not excuse us from finding a way to allow everyone here, or at least many more here, to share in America's vast prosperity.
Doug Terry
I had never heard your "let them eat from dumpsters" suggestion. Perhaps you should call President Obama and let him know of this "solution".
I have spent time in nations where the circumstances were very difficult, Haiti and Guatemala among them. That people have it far worse does not excuse us from finding a way to allow everyone here, or at least many more here, to share in America's vast prosperity.
Doug Terry
38
As someone who lives in the "Third World" (which is not an economic ranking system btw, it's a political term from the Cold War), one of the greatest privileges I have of living in Ecuador is the cheap cost of food.
When I go home to SC, it's a heck of a lot more expensive to eat well.
Anne, I'm a little curious to know where you've traveled to "get real."
When I go home to SC, it's a heck of a lot more expensive to eat well.
Anne, I'm a little curious to know where you've traveled to "get real."
29
Eating healthy is about making good choices with the resources that you have available. People in poverty are generally heavy because they make bad choices with the resources they have, not because they have no resources.
27
No, they have very limited food choices due to the lack of supermarkets in inner cities. This forces them to eat fast food, which is full of fat and salt.
13
kr, take a look at this NYTimes Upshot article debunking that myth:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/09/upshot/giving-the-poor-easy-access-to-...
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/09/upshot/giving-the-poor-easy-access-to-...
2
Healthy organic, nutritious, non-gmo food affordable to all who make the right choice. I guess you would say the same thing about affordable housing and excellent public educations, just a matte of individual preference.
If you believe that, I have a lovely bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you.
If you believe that, I have a lovely bridge in Brooklyn to sell to you.
6
It could be pointed out (to stick to food) that many poor people live in places without functioning stoves & ovens, or tiny kitchens that may serve multiple families that crowd into one home, and poor families may own very few cooking utensils. Adults who grew up in chaotic poor families may have no idea how to cook. Also working several part time jobs will mean always-varying schedules, last minute rushes to work when on call, and little free time and energy. The grocery store may be a two mile walk but the fast food or bodega is across the street. Poor people are not idiots; they buy junk and fast food because that's what they can manage to do.
82
Poverty is violence.
Thank you, Mark.
Thank you, Mark.
15
Always enjoy Bittman's take on food. Unfortunately, as a culture, we do not respect or value the sanctity of a good meal. Many countries, with far less, invest considerable time, money, and effort in providing their community with a hearty meal. Misplaced priorities.
5
There are at least two Americas, Those here claiming that things have got so much worse since Bush or Reagan are in fact claiming that things have got so much worse for white Americans. For black Americans and brown Americans, things have never been good since the arrival of the first white men and white women.
8
That's right. In countries with no white people in power they have eliminated poverty and inequality. They are true havens free from oppression and conflict. There is abundance and very little or no servitude. Is that correct?
15
Mr. Bittman, why not do your own personal research? Go stay in a public-housing development so you can personally observe neighborhood food habits & how much money is spent on food, marijuana, etc. Maybe you could also offer classes in nutritional literacy. Report back to us in six months.
17
Large, chain grocery stores have the where-with-all to put stores in poor neighborhoods if they chose. They could also hire guards to keep it a safe place to shop without fear of a riot. Demonstration cooks could be on hand to prepare new items. Walmarts and Trader Joes offer cheaper foods than some chains and should be encouraged to expand into these neighborhoods by the city administration. These stores then provide work for locals and easy access to the community at large. It has to be a community wide endeavor to achieve better food for the population. It could happen if there was the will to do so. Education always needs to start at the beginning.
4
And given the experience of both the chains (think CVS) and the independents in the poor neighborhoods in the past year's 'protests' for justice, where is the incentive for them to do so? The increased costs for insurance, the increased number of guards they would need, and the rate of shrinkage (stealing) they would encounter would force them to charge higher prices. If they only raise prices in the poor neighborhood stores, they are charged with discrimination. If they raise prices over the entire chain they are penalizing the consumers in the low crime areas and loosing customers to the stores that do not have the higher costs.
Until the inner city neighborhoods are more business friendly, there will be less business there and customers will have to accept the inconvenience of traveling to a store. Let the neighborhood provide a secure place to do business and then perhaps the shops will locate there.
Until the inner city neighborhoods are more business friendly, there will be less business there and customers will have to accept the inconvenience of traveling to a store. Let the neighborhood provide a secure place to do business and then perhaps the shops will locate there.
8
It's not for lack of trying, Phyllis. Here in St. Louis, multiple grocery chains have tried, often multiple times, to establish groceries in poorer neighborhoods. The larger locally-owned chains seem to try the hardest, having more of a vested interest in improving the wider community. But each time, they inevitably close these stores because maintaining a large business like a major grocery in these neighborhoods is completely untenable in a business sense.
Even with security guards, the amount of theft in these stores makes it entirely impossible to continue to do business there. One locally-owned chain recently closed a grocery in a poor city neighborhood (this was pre-Ferguson, by the way) because it was grossly unprofitable (due to rampant theft), insurance costs were runaway, and they could no longer adequately ensure the safety of their employees (even with multiple ARMED security guards present).
Even with security guards, the amount of theft in these stores makes it entirely impossible to continue to do business there. One locally-owned chain recently closed a grocery in a poor city neighborhood (this was pre-Ferguson, by the way) because it was grossly unprofitable (due to rampant theft), insurance costs were runaway, and they could no longer adequately ensure the safety of their employees (even with multiple ARMED security guards present).
6
Thanks, Mr. Bittman, for an eloquent, clear and well-described tragedy—or perhaps it's multiple tragedies—that are allowed to infect, fester, multiply, "by a thousand cuts" throughout our ignorant, or misinformed, misunderstanding and Me nation.
Some of us are compelled, too, to spend all our waking hours providing for ourselves and our families some semblance of an adequate life—shelter, food—much less nourishing food, time to love and nurture ourselves and those we strive so hard to care for. Some of us achieve what is a herculean task everyday, day after day. So many of us lack resources of so many kinds to do what we need for ourselves and for those we love and cherish.
Will we learn that what is alike about us is more important than what drives us to compete? Will our divisions cause us to fail by a thousand cuts?
Some of us are compelled, too, to spend all our waking hours providing for ourselves and our families some semblance of an adequate life—shelter, food—much less nourishing food, time to love and nurture ourselves and those we strive so hard to care for. Some of us achieve what is a herculean task everyday, day after day. So many of us lack resources of so many kinds to do what we need for ourselves and for those we love and cherish.
Will we learn that what is alike about us is more important than what drives us to compete? Will our divisions cause us to fail by a thousand cuts?
3
i"m old enough to remember cities buring as a child. I do not want a repeat. Yet, after years spent on the front lines of anti-racism(more in a bit) just last night at a community education I heard the leader clearly state that the statistics for Black peple are the worst in poverty, hunger, crime, health. I will remedy the topic, next week but the truth is the group with the worst statistics are Native Americans. I became involved after years volunteering in various organizations and eventualky finding myself in a community service and educational non-profit in the midwest. Now I work around the racism in sprots teams' identities--The NFL in D.C., MLB in Ohio and Georgia, etc. I hope to bring everyone to the table because without everyone involved, any changes will not be good, sustainable and long lasting. One truth I share is that we are ALL survivors. The other is that we are ALL in this thing we have named life together.
We do need new paths forward, unlike Mr. Bittman I do not things things are easily fixable but I do believe they are fixable. Think about the team identities: can't we do better, can't the leagues be better, ethical and good, can't we teach our children history better? Yes we can....and will we? Will you? Today?
We do need new paths forward, unlike Mr. Bittman I do not things things are easily fixable but I do believe they are fixable. Think about the team identities: can't we do better, can't the leagues be better, ethical and good, can't we teach our children history better? Yes we can....and will we? Will you? Today?
5
That sort of "soft leftism" (worrying about team names, etc.) is exactly WHY so many working class whites, who should be your economic allies on these issues you care about so much, left your side 35 years ago.
Not your fault, of course, but it is a factor.
Not your fault, of course, but it is a factor.
4
In the 1930's, during the Depression, the FDR administration discovered people were starving. No problem, FDR's "brain trust" said, we'll just take more money from people who have it, and give it out to starving people as Food Stamps. Problem: Solved!
Also during the Depression, the FDR administration discovered that some farmers wanted to grow more food than the "brain trust" would allow. No problem, we'll pay them to NOT grow food. Problem: Solved!
And still also during the Depression, the FDR administration discovered that some farmers had grown too much food, more than the "brain trust" said was right. No problem - we're the government, and we're here to destroy the stuff you made that we don't want you to sell.
Government: Taking food from poor people and making it more expensive, for 80+ years.
Take a look at all the rules and regulations about all kinds of food production, all those imposed by your elected officials and their appointed proxies. The collective result: the expensive food the poor are unable to purchase, today.
Also during the Depression, the FDR administration discovered that some farmers wanted to grow more food than the "brain trust" would allow. No problem, we'll pay them to NOT grow food. Problem: Solved!
And still also during the Depression, the FDR administration discovered that some farmers had grown too much food, more than the "brain trust" said was right. No problem - we're the government, and we're here to destroy the stuff you made that we don't want you to sell.
Government: Taking food from poor people and making it more expensive, for 80+ years.
Take a look at all the rules and regulations about all kinds of food production, all those imposed by your elected officials and their appointed proxies. The collective result: the expensive food the poor are unable to purchase, today.
7
The answer is less liberalism. Let parents have vouchers so they can send their children to any school. But the teachers unions are against this. Liberals are for pro choice EXCEPT when it comes to schools. Even mayor DeBlasio is cutting the funding on charter schools. A prime example that Democrats want stupid minority kids. They do not want to help them.
10
I don't see how school choice belongs in this discussion. But, for the record, all those "minorities" you care so much more about than "liberals" do deserve a quality education the same as everyone else. Charter schools and vouchers are a band aid and they will always leave kids behind. We need to concentrate on making all of our public schools equitable--not dismantling the system--if we really care about giving everyone a fair shot.
2
There are more sides to this issue than a politicians face. It is unsolvable as the many programs to solve it have demonstrated.
3
I am sooooooo tired of reading about how people need to be helped because of history. What people on earth have not been trampled on?
How about teaching sacrifice. You cannot afford to educate, feed, and house children then DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN! You want education, give up television. You want better food, give up snacks. No money for either? It's all the fault of us, the taxpayer's and anyone that sacrificed to earn a decent living.
I gave up the majority of holidays off to have a good job. I gave up weekends. I gave up on once on love. I had to choose between supporting myself and following my heart. Was it painful?
No one is stopping you Mr. Bittman from donating as much of your salary as you like to help alleviate poverty. But this constant beating the drum, beating the gums, and the keyboard about inequality? The world is unfair. Humanity is unkind. Get over it. Get on with it. Help me be a better person by showing me what you can do under pressure.
How about teaching sacrifice. You cannot afford to educate, feed, and house children then DO NOT HAVE CHILDREN! You want education, give up television. You want better food, give up snacks. No money for either? It's all the fault of us, the taxpayer's and anyone that sacrificed to earn a decent living.
I gave up the majority of holidays off to have a good job. I gave up weekends. I gave up on once on love. I had to choose between supporting myself and following my heart. Was it painful?
No one is stopping you Mr. Bittman from donating as much of your salary as you like to help alleviate poverty. But this constant beating the drum, beating the gums, and the keyboard about inequality? The world is unfair. Humanity is unkind. Get over it. Get on with it. Help me be a better person by showing me what you can do under pressure.
37
Ah yes, take these broken wings and learn to fly.
have you ever been truly hungry, with no prospect of food? Cold with no prospect of heat? I doubt it
I am sooooooo tired of people with no idea of what they are talking about blaming the victims. and in all caps, too Yeesh.
have you ever been truly hungry, with no prospect of food? Cold with no prospect of heat? I doubt it
I am sooooooo tired of people with no idea of what they are talking about blaming the victims. and in all caps, too Yeesh.
15
It always amazes me how many people recommend these right-wing utterances of "personal responsibility." What ever happened to "there but for fortune go I" or "try walking in another person's shoes"?
Do you actually believe that you are where you are because you worked harder or are more intelligent and do you actually believe that opportunity is equal for everybody in our country? Whatever happened to compassion and empathy?
Do you actually believe that you are where you are because you worked harder or are more intelligent and do you actually believe that opportunity is equal for everybody in our country? Whatever happened to compassion and empathy?
16
@ Chicago - Who broke the wings? Truly hungry in the USA, there's SNAP. Cold, have the landlord arrested. Victims, how about those having more than 50% of what they earn, yes earn. taken by federal, state and local governments so they can help the hungry, the cold and those who cannot fly because they broke their wings.
2
Baltimore schools get to spend more per pupil than any other state except i think New Jersey. Why would more money help these schools?
23
@ Jean - "Why would more money help these schools?"
Obviously they are not spending enough, they must spend more and more and more!
Obviously they are not spending enough, they must spend more and more and more!
4
What you saw at the Berkeley station is an improvement over Fruitvale Station.
3
Mr. Bittman
I can remember, when a white child, shopping for groceries with my Mom. Being elderly I can say we went from store to store to obtain the needed items- there were no supermarkets. When we walked through the black neighborhood, to reach the subway, I can remember asking Mom why there were so few stores and why the one grocery we passed had such an unappealing layout of fruit and bedraggled veggies at the front. She told me that the food delivery trucks never came to those streets because they didn't like to serve the black population... why? just because... 75 years have passed and this condition remains the same. SHAME
Charlotte Schreiber
I can remember, when a white child, shopping for groceries with my Mom. Being elderly I can say we went from store to store to obtain the needed items- there were no supermarkets. When we walked through the black neighborhood, to reach the subway, I can remember asking Mom why there were so few stores and why the one grocery we passed had such an unappealing layout of fruit and bedraggled veggies at the front. She told me that the food delivery trucks never came to those streets because they didn't like to serve the black population... why? just because... 75 years have passed and this condition remains the same. SHAME
Charlotte Schreiber
24
Why? Because the neighborhoods you describe are less safe and therefore more expensive for the businesses to operate therein. It was true when there were individual markets such as you recall; it is true today when the supermarket and superstore are in vogue; and it will be true for the foreseeable future unless the people in the neighborhood do something to make the area more business friendly.
4
Once again, my perception of so-called liberal readers of the Times is vindicated. Bunch of smug, elitist, finger-pointing whites intent on believing that our social ills are insurmountable and black America has no one to blame but themselves. That all these inequalities somehow magically transpired without the aid of policy makers and the people who put them in office.
Funny how no one goes hungry in Sweden or other nations where government actually works to ensure its society isn't encumbered by the inequalities we have here. If we actually regulated where our money went and how it got used, we wouldn't be in this mess. But no, people want to insist that loads of money is directed at those in need, but they just don't know how to use it responsibly.
If this country goes under, I blame people like you for allowing it to. Just pathetic.
Funny how no one goes hungry in Sweden or other nations where government actually works to ensure its society isn't encumbered by the inequalities we have here. If we actually regulated where our money went and how it got used, we wouldn't be in this mess. But no, people want to insist that loads of money is directed at those in need, but they just don't know how to use it responsibly.
If this country goes under, I blame people like you for allowing it to. Just pathetic.
15
Where do you get that liberal readers are the "Bunch of smug, elitist, finger-pointing whites"? The liberals who regularly comment here would welcome a Swedish style democracy in the US. Not sure you know what liberalism is. By my reckoning, its the conservative troll commentators that you have a problem with.
"[T]here is plenty of justification for anger."
The angry man will always find something to be angry about.
The angry man will always find something to be angry about.
13
Typical liberal rant. If blacks, any want to escape poverty they need to: value education; quit having so many illegitimate children, stay out of prison, and quit relying on the government for support. If blacks quit confronting law enforcement, they would not be shot.
18
Must be nice to have all the answers.
4
What a morally grotesque and woefully uninformed comment.
2
This is the kind of column that gives liberals a bad name. What's a "bad school"? Do they put all the dumb teachers there? Do they not assign homework and give tests and pass out text books? OR is it filled with unruly disruptive kids with parents that don't care. I'd say the latter. And what in the world is "nutrition education"? People don't know that an apple is better (and cheaper) than a twinkie? A piece of fish is better than a hot dog? Nothing will get solved by throwing money at the problem without an emphasis on personal responsibility.
20
As a teacher for 45 years, I have yet to see all this "throwing money at the problem" ... My experience has always been that the budget is the same as the previous year or less. Poverty has increased; the economy is such that both parents must work to maintain a decent standard of living, and, in single parent households, the parent needs to work very long hours or more than one job to sustain a family. Stop blaming liberals and start looking at the inequality in our system, both economically and socially, you "personal responsibility" believers.
3
@ mikeh - Please take a look at per child spending per year in Baltimore and then look at Camden, NJ. Then look at the results of over 30k per child per year.
4
I read in another article that food purchases are class-linked, and that, even when provided with access to stores that sell healthy, inexpensive foods such as fresh vegetables, poor and working-class shoppers continue to choose fast and processed foods. This may be because that is how the processed and fast food industries have taught us to shop, and eat.
Back in the 1950s and 60s, food stores in working class neighborhoods sold meat, fish chicken, staples such as flour, sugar, beans and rice, fresh local vegetables and fresh dairy products. When a vegetable was not in season, people bought inexpensive frozen vegetables. Bread came from the local bakery.
I'm not suggesting that everyone can or should return to such a "small shop" model; to do so would be impractical, particularly in urban areas. Yet I know, because I've done it, that people can eat healthy on limited budgets. What is required is that we undo half-a-century of marketing and disinformation by the "big food" and "fast food" industries. Such efforts must include instruction on the selection and preparation inexpensive, healthy foods.
I've read about a woman in VA who has purchased a van, and is going street-to street in her former neighborhood, providing nutrition advice and cooking classes to all. She's also published a cookbook. Grass roots, hands-on efforts such as these, can help to improve the health and economic prospects of poor Americans. Philanthropists, take heed!
Back in the 1950s and 60s, food stores in working class neighborhoods sold meat, fish chicken, staples such as flour, sugar, beans and rice, fresh local vegetables and fresh dairy products. When a vegetable was not in season, people bought inexpensive frozen vegetables. Bread came from the local bakery.
I'm not suggesting that everyone can or should return to such a "small shop" model; to do so would be impractical, particularly in urban areas. Yet I know, because I've done it, that people can eat healthy on limited budgets. What is required is that we undo half-a-century of marketing and disinformation by the "big food" and "fast food" industries. Such efforts must include instruction on the selection and preparation inexpensive, healthy foods.
I've read about a woman in VA who has purchased a van, and is going street-to street in her former neighborhood, providing nutrition advice and cooking classes to all. She's also published a cookbook. Grass roots, hands-on efforts such as these, can help to improve the health and economic prospects of poor Americans. Philanthropists, take heed!
11
YOU can make a difference in your community right now. A shining example is The Whie Pony Express Free General Store in Walnut Creek, CA. www.freegeneralstore.org. One of their goals is to end hunger in Contra Costa County in CA. They recognized that many grocery stores and retail business owners are more than happy to donate their surplus goods if someone can pick them and deliver them to organizations that serve those in need. It has made a positive impact on those receiving, giving and serving.
6
How do you explain the poor eating habits of the poor in West Virginia? In an area that for the past 50 yrs has had millions of dollars for anti-poverty programs poured into it, it is still poor and the one thing that HAS changed is the eating habits of its residents. Instead of growing their own food, they prefer fast food and complain that they can't afford to fix the car to drive to get it. They could easily keep chickens, maybe a pig or two, and grow fruits and vegetables - their own grandparents did this and cured hams and canned things for the winter, but no more - they want fast food.
One of the worst things our schools ever did was to remove manual arts and home ec from middle and high schools. In middle school, these were required subject, yes, segregated by gender. They should be returned and ALL children of both sexes need to take both. With basic cooking skills and knowledge about how to do simple home repairs, lives could be much improved. Today's young know neither.
My grandparents on both sides of my family were poor and they had large families - 10 in one, 6 in the other. But they raised most of their own food, bought in bulk (and then used the flour sacks to make dish towels), made their own clothes, and when they wore out and could no longer be mended, they turned them into braided or hooked rugs.
We cannot have government programs for everything. Not only can we not afford it, but it does the poor no favor by making them totally dependent.
One of the worst things our schools ever did was to remove manual arts and home ec from middle and high schools. In middle school, these were required subject, yes, segregated by gender. They should be returned and ALL children of both sexes need to take both. With basic cooking skills and knowledge about how to do simple home repairs, lives could be much improved. Today's young know neither.
My grandparents on both sides of my family were poor and they had large families - 10 in one, 6 in the other. But they raised most of their own food, bought in bulk (and then used the flour sacks to make dish towels), made their own clothes, and when they wore out and could no longer be mended, they turned them into braided or hooked rugs.
We cannot have government programs for everything. Not only can we not afford it, but it does the poor no favor by making them totally dependent.
25
Good grief. Are you really suggestion that people just need to buy their own pigs and chickens?
2
@ rs - I believe it's called being self sufficient. Give a man a fish he eats for a day, teach him to fish he eats for the rest of his life. If he doesn't learn how to fish give him tax payer's money for the rest of his life.
4
President Obama recently made statements about how we must break the cycle of poverty and criminality in these communities. I agree! You speak of funding, but I think it’s more than funding. I grew up very poor. Five of us shared a 1-bedroom apartment in a crime-ridden part of NYC. The difference was not only that we ate lentils, beans, vegetables my grandmother prepared; but that she was there to prepare it every day. And that my father was there, and he was not beating me or sexually molesting me, or bringing anyone into our home who would do such brutal things to a child. That he wanted me, and was kind and instructive. The game-changer for these communities is the children. I agree, yes funding. But we already throw money at this problem, billions of dollars for decades. The money must focus on the children. Every single person in prison was once a toddler. Every single child is a clean slate. Born to one set of parents, that child might be President. Born to another, he might end up dead or in prison. We must teach and incentivize responsible procreation; we must provide, teach and incentivize free birth control; first fix your life through education/job, then find a willing and able partner, then have babies. The game-changer is the children. Yes, provide the means to feed them well. But first and foremost, create the parents that want them and are willing and able to raise them to be successful citizens. In my view, that’s how you break the cycle.
19
Obama made that speech and another one a couple of days ago 6 years too late, his call for blacks taking responsibility came far too late in the game, and guess what it comes as no surprise as he is a lame duck and doesn't need to get votes any longer. So all his speech did was to take a few minutes times and it meant absolutely nothing.
3
This is such a necessary article. We talk about how poorly students perform in "bad" schools, and how that is a result of poor parenting.
Unfortunately, we give little thought to basic psychology and Maslow's list of basic needs. When you don't have a stable roof overhead; available proper nutrition; when your home-life is destabilized by a non-existing economic structure; and when those homes and the people surrounding you are in the same straights: then self actualization will most probably not be what you reach for next.
Unfortunately, we give little thought to basic psychology and Maslow's list of basic needs. When you don't have a stable roof overhead; available proper nutrition; when your home-life is destabilized by a non-existing economic structure; and when those homes and the people surrounding you are in the same straights: then self actualization will most probably not be what you reach for next.
11
I thought I liked the article until you blamed bad schools. Typical US liberal limitations of true analysis. Perhaps the schools are "bad" because of the circumstances in the communities. Children coming to school with parents working awful jobs with bad hours that put them out of reach of their children, or major insecurities because they cant comfortably pay the bills which has an effect on school performance, but Bittman must be on the bash public schools bus because that is part of the hip concerned liberal catechism these days. The article seems right but it misses the systemic disfunction that disables entire communities. There is no fixing this without taking into account the privilege of people like Bittman. HIs concern is like a slick slogan on a t shirt or a sports jersey level of commitment to the thing it professes to be an adherent too. He's seems deep but his understanding is shallow or willfully blind.
3
Obesity is caused by a lack of access to "nutrition education"? Seriously?
Maybe Mr. Bittman can give us some examples of "nutrition education" proven to be effective in combating obesity.
Maybe Mr. Bittman can give us some examples of "nutrition education" proven to be effective in combating obesity.
5
Mr. Bittman is out of touch. Remember when he priced a meal at MacDonalds as more expensive than a home-cooked baked chicken with the fixings? A clue: the recipes in his cookbooks assume that the cook has a food processor. You're supposed to cream sugar and butter and chop vegetables for soup with a food processor. If you already know how to cook, you can deconstruct the recipe. Actually, if you really know how to cook, you're probably not using Mr. Bittman's cookbooks. This is a man for whom parsley and cilantro are interchangeable.
My point is: it's all very well go blah blah blah about nutritional literacy. But I'm reminded of the mother of a friend who was hipped on how hybrid cars would save the environment. There should be government sanctions to encourage young people to drive hybrid cars! When it was pointed out that hybrid cars were expensive, she countered with "Then their parents can buy them for them." She, herself, virtuously owned a Prius. Which she usually left it in the garage and she drove the SUV. This lady was very nice and very socially active. Just as Mr. Bittman means well.
My point is: it's all very well go blah blah blah about nutritional literacy. But I'm reminded of the mother of a friend who was hipped on how hybrid cars would save the environment. There should be government sanctions to encourage young people to drive hybrid cars! When it was pointed out that hybrid cars were expensive, she countered with "Then their parents can buy them for them." She, herself, virtuously owned a Prius. Which she usually left it in the garage and she drove the SUV. This lady was very nice and very socially active. Just as Mr. Bittman means well.
5
I know, let's give more tax cuts to the wealthy, corporations and allow them to continue sending jobs overseas and avoid taxes. Wake up. If we used the money wasted on elections and used it for jobs, infrastructure, education and improvement of the American people America could be a great country. Instead, we allow the rich to close factories, ship jobs overseas and avoid taxes. It's the GOP agenda that has starved government while loudly, and wrongly, stating the coffers have magically filled up while blaming the poor, minorities and Democrats for trickle down failures.
5
If your questioners ask you how people might be helped to eat well if they can't afford food and you respond by telling them that we have to end injustice -- end bad neighborhoods, bad schools, bad education, bad jobs, low incomes, and racism -- you are talking through you hat, Mr. Bittman.
The people in the U.S. who aren't eating well are folks who spend whatever money they have on bad food. Whether they have six-figure-plus incomes or rely on SNAP and food pantries, they stock their larders with junk.
Eating bad is an equal-opportunity activity in this country. All you have to do is spend some hours doing the research in any supermarket, in any town. Watch who is buying what. Volunteer some more hours working at a bunch of food banks. Note the choices of every client.
Lack of opportunity? Deprivation? Nutritional illiteracy? Nonsense! I lived, with abusive parents, in a bad neighborhood in Manhattan. Went to a bad school. After school, I walked several blocks to a public library. Taught myself what I needed to know.
Education is free. Even nutrition education.
The people in the U.S. who aren't eating well are folks who spend whatever money they have on bad food. Whether they have six-figure-plus incomes or rely on SNAP and food pantries, they stock their larders with junk.
Eating bad is an equal-opportunity activity in this country. All you have to do is spend some hours doing the research in any supermarket, in any town. Watch who is buying what. Volunteer some more hours working at a bunch of food banks. Note the choices of every client.
Lack of opportunity? Deprivation? Nutritional illiteracy? Nonsense! I lived, with abusive parents, in a bad neighborhood in Manhattan. Went to a bad school. After school, I walked several blocks to a public library. Taught myself what I needed to know.
Education is free. Even nutrition education.
9
No, I am afraid that coming together to fix things used to be the American way. Ever since Reagan, we have bought into the idiotic idea that we can be the greatest country on earth with a do-nothing government, crumbling infrastructure, teachers who are low paid and vilified, a national food policy designed to enrich large corporations, and a population that is urged to shop while the country fights two wars and to "support" the troops with bumper stickers on their Humvees. I am so glad that Bitman, along with many others, is fighting the good fight. But it is really hard not to sink into despair.
9
Thank you, Stacy
What a welcome relief from all the "tin men and women" who need to see the Wizard to get a heart.
What a welcome relief from all the "tin men and women" who need to see the Wizard to get a heart.
1
What you eat is your choice... our food stamps/SNAP program is based on this. Suggesting we control what poor people eat, or how they spend money/behave in general is wholly taboo on the left. Yet we see articles like this bemoaning that poor people are unhealthy. We can't have it both ways. If you give people that freedom, and they use it to eat junk, the "look at these nutritional victims!" line is a tough pill to swallow.
-Texas left winger
-Texas left winger
8
"If you’re born in a bad neighborhood you will go to a bad school; if you go to a bad school you will get a bad education; if you get a bad education you will get a bad job, or none at all; thus you will have a low (or no) income; with low income you have no wealth (it’s more likely you will have debt). And so … your children, and theirs, are likely to live in bad neighborhoods. Without education or jobs."
Unless you pay attention in school. The "bad" schools are usually those where the majority of the students fail to show up, behave, and do their work. They're lacking in luxuries, but usually capable of delivering a good education to the students who'll accept delivery. We call them "bad" because most of the metrics we use to evaluate schools don't. They evaluate the community being served.
I was born in a "bad" neighborhood (by which I mean "poor"). I went to "bad" schools. I got a good education. So have many others in the same boat.
Unless you pay attention in school. The "bad" schools are usually those where the majority of the students fail to show up, behave, and do their work. They're lacking in luxuries, but usually capable of delivering a good education to the students who'll accept delivery. We call them "bad" because most of the metrics we use to evaluate schools don't. They evaluate the community being served.
I was born in a "bad" neighborhood (by which I mean "poor"). I went to "bad" schools. I got a good education. So have many others in the same boat.
12
so, you took several hundred words to say that what we need in this country is even more redistribution of wealth than is already going on from the vanishing middle class to the blacks who rioted in Ferguson and Baltimore et. al. I have one word for Bernie Sanders style socialism on roids: NO!
9
Something as simple and elusive as a green smoothie, the type bought easily at Whole Food - feeding our children, our homeless, our prisoners good, green, nutritious food, may be the starting point to solve much more. Whenever I give a homeless person a few dollars I realize what would do them better is some fresh fruits and veggies. Or when I see the dreadful "cheap" meat and carb school lunches fed to our kids. We could do so much better.
2
Good luck with that scheme. 10 to 1 that that smoothie or other "healthy" smug food gift from you will be thrown on the street or back at you.
4
"Have you seen the price of argulua at Whole Foods lately?"
-- President Obama in Iowa, 2007.
Good Lord, but sometimes you soft lefties are just hilarious.
-- President Obama in Iowa, 2007.
Good Lord, but sometimes you soft lefties are just hilarious.
I agree with every word. I would only add that what we also need is for those who wield terms such as "market forces" as if they were taught at Hogwarts need to be challenged where they live.
There never was, and never will be, a market without a government, regulations and armed guards. If truth be known all three of these social artifacts were the direct result of the need of merchants to protect their property and insure the smooth operation of the marketplace.
So "market forces" includes the schooling we provide to nurture the next generation of buyers, sellers, workers, guards and government employees (among others). They also include the very structure of our society, the facility of our governments and the efficacy of our monetary system.
Whatever is right with the world today is due to "market forces", but so to is everything that is wrong.
Just as the first merchants came together to regulate the bazaar, employ guards, punish thieves and eventually build walls around the market square, we should expect our modern merchants to do what is necessary to regulate and manage the wealth of all mankind that is in their care.
There never was, and never will be, a market without a government, regulations and armed guards. If truth be known all three of these social artifacts were the direct result of the need of merchants to protect their property and insure the smooth operation of the marketplace.
So "market forces" includes the schooling we provide to nurture the next generation of buyers, sellers, workers, guards and government employees (among others). They also include the very structure of our society, the facility of our governments and the efficacy of our monetary system.
Whatever is right with the world today is due to "market forces", but so to is everything that is wrong.
Just as the first merchants came together to regulate the bazaar, employ guards, punish thieves and eventually build walls around the market square, we should expect our modern merchants to do what is necessary to regulate and manage the wealth of all mankind that is in their care.
5
"Death by a thousand cuts." Think of this in tandem with Romney's "47%" comment. THIS is the political-industrial complex's plan for America: cheaper in that you don't have to transport people to, staff, and erect death camps, but deadly just the same. It's just that we do it with a complex algorithm of race, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, and, most importantly, income level, rather than mere ethnicity, sexuality, and religion.
Think we won over Hitler's Reich 70 years ago? Think again.
Think we won over Hitler's Reich 70 years ago? Think again.
2
So you saw a women resisting arrest, the passersby didn't know why she was arrested, the police were acting appropriately, acknowledge that this is the norm, and your reaction is to be thankful and surprised that she's not being abused but suspicious that she will be after being taken away? Sounds to me like your own preconceptions about police have clouded your analytic skills to the point of your opinions being absurd.
14
Before any of these changes are brought about to insure equal opportunity, equal access to education, housing, health, employment, etc., etc., etc., there needs to be a change of ATTITUDE among the American people, we need to stop seeing our fellow countrymen and women as "different" due to skin color, or customs, or beliefs. We are, at the moment, facing a very skillful and dangerous enemy, i.e., al quaeda, isis, or whatever nom du jour they've momentarily taken, and it is IMPERATIVE, for the safety of our nation, that we, as a people, cut the crap, pull together, and afford each other quality education, housing, heath care, etc. But we won't, racism is too engrained in our society, thoroughly woven into the fabric of our society, and so, we will continue to push apart and sever, ever prideful, until, as the saying holds true, this house divided will not stand.
1
"But oppression and inequality are violence in another form." While superficially eloquent, exaggeration as a rhetorical tactic often muddies rather than clarifies.
Given Bittman's expertise with food, he might do well to present information on the impact of poor nutrition on prenatal and neonatal development. Some gaps cannot be handily closed. At least in that realm there exists some evidence, and while disturbing, might provide a welcome break from endless clamoring about injustice.
Given Bittman's expertise with food, he might do well to present information on the impact of poor nutrition on prenatal and neonatal development. Some gaps cannot be handily closed. At least in that realm there exists some evidence, and while disturbing, might provide a welcome break from endless clamoring about injustice.
2
As an liberal progressive you are making a fundamental mistake and it supports the racism that you are describing. The issues the you are describing affect far more caucasians than minorities. The poorest neighborhoods in the United States are caucasian neighborhoods. Areas of the Appalachia. Rural America. It is true that these caucasians feed on the racism that strives to place them above somebody, anybody, but it is these people that need to be engaged in the struggle for economic security. If you talk only of minority poverty you automatically disenfranchise the poor caucasians who, manipulated through their bigotry, will actively work against their own benefit to maintain their imagined and often real superiority over another identifiable group.
5
While I hope the policies you advocate in this article reach a national level, it’s an encouraging sign that more and more communities around the country are recognizing the importance of access to healthy food and nutrition education. In particular, owners and managers of low-income housing are taking a leading role in bringing healthy food directly to their residents via on-site farmers markets, community gardens, mobile markets, community kitchens, and other innovative food delivery programs. For more information on these programs and the people who are running them, please see food policy expert Carolyn Zezima’s recent article for Assisted Housing Management Insider: https://www.assistedhousinginsider.com/search/apachesolr_search/food%20a...
1
I think Mark is being very optimistic about the number of people really looking for change...included the "screwed" ones.
Look around and you will see people with nothing to loose still voting with the "status quo maintenance" party. No hope there...politics culture was never so low in this country.
Look around and you will see people with nothing to loose still voting with the "status quo maintenance" party. No hope there...politics culture was never so low in this country.
2
We know from studying poverty for the last 30 years that money helps a great deal. Lifting people out of poverty costs money in the short run but reaps much greater benefits for our country in the long run. When people have health care they live longer. When parents have access to food stamps and WIC for their children, down the road these children will have a much better life. Studies with children attending Headstart have shown that they will do better in life than children at risk who do not have the opportunity for this program.
We have so many people in our country living in different kinds of poverty. It will take all of us to solve this problem. Until everyone decides this is a national problem that will destroy us, not much will be done. The wealthy will buy politicians so they can keep all their money (many, no matter how much they have, will never have enough.) We should be spending money to put people to work (training, job creation). We are the only ones that can do that through our federal government. After all, we are the government.
We have so many people in our country living in different kinds of poverty. It will take all of us to solve this problem. Until everyone decides this is a national problem that will destroy us, not much will be done. The wealthy will buy politicians so they can keep all their money (many, no matter how much they have, will never have enough.) We should be spending money to put people to work (training, job creation). We are the only ones that can do that through our federal government. After all, we are the government.
4
But the Black African American Denier- in- Chief President Barack Hussein Obama ignores the desperate denial of Black African American civil human rights living in food, educational, job, medical and health desert ghetto reservations known world of '"Black Folk: Then and Now." WEB Dubois.
With the likes of subservient obsequious Don Lemon on CNN and Juan Williams on Fox, the African Americans must turn to Roland Martin on TV 1's "News One Now" for their mass media journalistic "truth" along with blackagendareport. com.
With the likes of subservient obsequious Don Lemon on CNN and Juan Williams on Fox, the African Americans must turn to Roland Martin on TV 1's "News One Now" for their mass media journalistic "truth" along with blackagendareport. com.
Why bother having a huge Army to "protect Americans" when the reality is the the government is not protecting people's well being. We need to look again at the definition of protection ? What is the difference between protecting people from foreign terrorists but letting your people die with bad food? What is the point?
5
"But oppression and inequality are violence in another form. When people are undereducated, impoverished, malnourished, un- or under-employed, or underpaid and working three jobs, their lives are diminished, as are their opportunities."
Mr. Bittman, I don't know if oppression in the right word. To me oppression means intent. What I think is going on is a simple lack of compassion for the underprivileged. We just don't care.
Unless, of course, it's our ox that is getting gored. The solution the privileged classes have come up with is not to build more and better schools. We just build more prisons. We hire more police and more prison guards.
We don't care. As long as the unwashed masses stay away from our neighborhoods, we're good to go. As Pogo said: "We've met the enemy and he is us."
Mr. Bittman, I don't know if oppression in the right word. To me oppression means intent. What I think is going on is a simple lack of compassion for the underprivileged. We just don't care.
Unless, of course, it's our ox that is getting gored. The solution the privileged classes have come up with is not to build more and better schools. We just build more prisons. We hire more police and more prison guards.
We don't care. As long as the unwashed masses stay away from our neighborhoods, we're good to go. As Pogo said: "We've met the enemy and he is us."
4
FDR's concept of economic justice required significantly more than simply the ability to eat healthy foods. Yet, it is starvation that always brings us back to the issue of economic insecurity in the wealthiest nation in the world. We know we have more people than jobs. Our government mandates at least 5% unemployment to keep inflation low. What do we do with the unemployed and the underemployed; and, more importantly, their children.
We ignore the problem until it becomes to painful to ignore than we do just enough to move the problem out of sight until it raises it's ugly head once again. The answer is simple, economic redistribution. The politics are not.
We ignore the problem until it becomes to painful to ignore than we do just enough to move the problem out of sight until it raises it's ugly head once again. The answer is simple, economic redistribution. The politics are not.
1
Thank you Mark.
Simple doesn't mean easy.
Hard doesn't mean can't or won't.
Doubt, confusion, and shame of how and what to do
Are the grist that begins to polish the lens of Heart clarity.
Simple doesn't mean easy.
Hard doesn't mean can't or won't.
Doubt, confusion, and shame of how and what to do
Are the grist that begins to polish the lens of Heart clarity.
2
There are not fences around poor neighborhoods. No one is followed down the food aisle and told what to purchase or where to purchase it. There are not bars on library doors and windows keeping the poor out. There are choices everyday made about whether to make children go to school or not or whether adults go to work or not. No one forces others - white, black, or whatever- to use drugs, alcohol, gamble, or participate in criminal behaviors. If that is happening to you, review the first sentence. People of all colors need to make responsible choices in life. Yes, we are born into circumstances. What we make of those circumstances, what we tolerate, what we do not, makes us. Step up, people.
16
This is one of the least sensitive, compassionate and understanding responses to the problems of poverty and its consequences I have every read.
You are asking people to pull themselves up by the bootstraps but, as the cliche continues, what if these people do not have boots?
Reread Mark Bittman's column and pay special attention to the paragraph which in which John Komlos describes the terrible consequences of poverty.
You are asking people to pull themselves up by the bootstraps but, as the cliche continues, what if these people do not have boots?
Reread Mark Bittman's column and pay special attention to the paragraph which in which John Komlos describes the terrible consequences of poverty.
1
Would that it were so easy!!! If this were true there would be no poverty.
2
@n. eichler-- and your continued apologizing for the poors refusal to acknowledge that they bear any responsibility for their actions or inactions and their lives as a whole continues to assure that the poor will never possess the boots you speak of. The continued redistribution of wealth in the form of handouts has not been, is not now and never will be the answer to this problem.
5
When I was in high school ( so long ago that it seems like the Renaissance and in a way it was) we had classes in what then was called home economics. It had value; it taught me the basics of cooking and sewing. Sewing is no longer of much value economically as it was in the past, but cooking instruction does have economic value. Guys had shop where they learned to use tools and make things. Actually both sexes should have had instruction in shop and home ec. You learned a lot of math along the way. Why did this instruction disappear? I managed to take all the other academic subjects and go on to college. Basic life skills matter, especially for the poor. I just loved the turkey story, but most turkeys have instructions on their wrappers. But where do you buy a turkey when there in no supermarket near where you live?
I agree that throwing money at failing schools is not the answer. Good teaching and a valuable curriculum are. It is again the inequity in funding, often based on property taxes, that is the problem. Inequity rules this country and the majority of people who vote don't think it is a problem.
To Lonnie: God got it wrong. I have eaten goat meat, drunk goats milk and love goat cheese. I have eaten lamb, wear a sheepskin coat when it is cold and knit with wool from a sheep. Both have value to humans and all humans have value.
I agree that throwing money at failing schools is not the answer. Good teaching and a valuable curriculum are. It is again the inequity in funding, often based on property taxes, that is the problem. Inequity rules this country and the majority of people who vote don't think it is a problem.
To Lonnie: God got it wrong. I have eaten goat meat, drunk goats milk and love goat cheese. I have eaten lamb, wear a sheepskin coat when it is cold and knit with wool from a sheep. Both have value to humans and all humans have value.
2
As a resident of a Baltimore suburb for 45 years, I remember the riots of 1968 when I was a college student, and I was dismayed by the disruptions last week that clearly showed the ongoing problems that remain. In thinking about what small action I could take, I would like the behemoth Giant and Safeway supermarkets to know that I am charging them with using some of the huge amounts I spend in their stores to open small stores with healthy foods in the food deserts in the city, instead of yet more remodeling and expansion of suburban stores. If I do not hear of some positive initiatives on their part, I will reconsider where I spend my grocery budget each week. I encourage others in the Baltimore area to do the same. These two supermarket chains have an opportunity for good PR and business practice through the adoption of this new mission.
4
'...it’s straightforward, logical, nondoctrinaire, irrefutable, and goes like this: If you’re born in a bad neighborhood you will go to a bad school...'
Spoken only like a person who has never lived in a bad neighborhood can speak.
This is an undeniable fact: If you’re born to a poor unemployed single mother of any race, the odds are good that you will live a life of poverty and deprivation and repeat your mother's dysfunctional behavior for generations to come.
That is the real problem. Everything society has tried has not worked and, in fact, has made things worse.
Spoken only like a person who has never lived in a bad neighborhood can speak.
This is an undeniable fact: If you’re born to a poor unemployed single mother of any race, the odds are good that you will live a life of poverty and deprivation and repeat your mother's dysfunctional behavior for generations to come.
That is the real problem. Everything society has tried has not worked and, in fact, has made things worse.
7
What you fail to state or realize is, whole foods are less expensive than processed food. It would cost far less to cook a chicken dinner that to have 3 or 4 TV dinners, to use an example. If the government were to spend money on anything related to this it would be to encourage supermarkets to locate in poorer neighborhoods. Then we would find out if it's availability that is the problem or it is something else.
4
Mr. Bittman, I hope you follow this up with some scrutiny of the WIC program, which is supposed to help nourish the poorest during the critical periods of gestation and early childhood. Allowances for protein and fresh produce are tiny. Bread, cereal, and juice are more "generously" subsidized, even though juice, with or without "added sugar," is basically sugar.
I think if readers see specifics, followed by thoughtful analysis, they will be alarmed.
I think if readers see specifics, followed by thoughtful analysis, they will be alarmed.
3
If we really want to decrease the rate at which diet related illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, and potentially (studies are beginning to show a connection) Alzheimer's, we are going to need to improve nutritional literacy across the nation. I thought by now everyone was aware that diet (and exercise) are the primary methods of fighting, maybe even curing diabetes. I figured this out the hard way, after struggling with diabetes and then being put on metformin by my doctor. Metformin was ineffective, i didn't drop below a blood sugar of 140, and i figured there must be a better way to fight the disease. Then i discovered the 7 Steps to health book (here's a review of the book: http://steamspoils.com/7-Steps-to-Health-and-The-Big-Diabetes-Lie-Review ) that aided me in flat out curing my diabetes. I dropped 30 pounds and I've been taken off metformin since, and I won't ever have to resort to insulin.
Accurate assessment of the inequities in the system. Poverty will remain a thorn in our conscience as long as we do not tell our representatives, in no uncertain terms, what needs to be done. The poor, and the dispossessed, are trapped in their predicament for lack of jobs, among other things, but not the least is the 'despair', the anguish they feel, and the chronic unrelieved stress, by knowing it is 'permanent', with no chance to get out of a desperate and isolating condition. And politically, the poor are invisible to Congress, powerless to represent themselves, and the officials' lack of 'skin in the game' and a huge social distance that 'impedes' their vision and empathy, hence, their will to act responsibly. Poverty is a societal ill, and we all must share the blame.
2
Your comment "they were working hard, businesslike, they had to...." is patently insulting to the police. I happen to have a municipal job and put a lot of effort into it. If per chance there were cameras around it would make no difference, for someone to assume such is extremely insulting.
You sit in an office or at most, observe events. Why don't you try doing what they do? Day in day out interacting with the worst society has to offer. Most of them do it the right way, as in any business or profession there are good and bad. Sometimes the bad fly under the radar doing bad for years. Sometimes events catch up with them and they are exposed. The guys doing good almost never make the news.
I think you owe the police an apology. By the way, I am not a cop nor do I know any.
You sit in an office or at most, observe events. Why don't you try doing what they do? Day in day out interacting with the worst society has to offer. Most of them do it the right way, as in any business or profession there are good and bad. Sometimes the bad fly under the radar doing bad for years. Sometimes events catch up with them and they are exposed. The guys doing good almost never make the news.
I think you owe the police an apology. By the way, I am not a cop nor do I know any.
6
How, pray tell, is that sentence an insult? To "work hard" and "businesslike, and clearly in control of themselves" is a bad thing? He was simply observing that they were acting professionally because they knew people were watching.
And that, at least in my book, is a good thing.
And that, at least in my book, is a good thing.
I'm not buying this. Each time I see a poor victim of "food deserts" who claims they can not afford to eat well I see a mobile phone in their hand the flat screen television in their home and the latest pair of "kicks" on their feet.
If you can find your way to the Apple Store you can find your way to an apple.
Please let's top lowering the bar like this and adding even new more obscure layers to victimization.
If you can find your way to the Apple Store you can find your way to an apple.
Please let's top lowering the bar like this and adding even new more obscure layers to victimization.
22
Thanks for judging people purely on their appearances, without knowing anything about their backgrounds or circumstances. Oh, and also you're apparently peering into their homes, too.
When you're poor, a lot of effort goes into not appearing poor, because it's embarrassing and depressing. You have no idea if someone received nice shoes as a gift, or saved up for them for months. Please be less snobby when you look upon those who are less fortunate.
This sounds like it could be you:
http://www.theonion.com/article/woman-a-leading-authority-on-what-should...
When you're poor, a lot of effort goes into not appearing poor, because it's embarrassing and depressing. You have no idea if someone received nice shoes as a gift, or saved up for them for months. Please be less snobby when you look upon those who are less fortunate.
This sounds like it could be you:
http://www.theonion.com/article/woman-a-leading-authority-on-what-should...
1
You must be a good social worker to pick up on all of those nunances - Paris, Texas is an interesting place:-) I've worked throughout Texas and N.C. and haven't found your comments to be true. The 'kicks' on their feet are often knockoffs for $10. I just walked out of Publix and got 2 apples for 5.80. Perhaps 'they' should go barefoot while eating their 2 day supply of apples. Just thinking.
1
Not even sure there is a Publix in Dallas, but unless you were buying organic you got rooked on those apples. I would have left them to sit on the shelf.
3
"without access to good food or nutrition education. This is murder by a thousand cuts." you need to look up the definition of murder becuase yu obviously don't understand it. moreover, there is no such thing as 'economic justice', it's a term made up by individuals who want to steal (take without their consent) from one or a group of individuals to give to another proup of individuals (in modern parlance, this act of theft is concealed under the name of re-disrtribution) exactly where in the founding documents are any of these concepts inunciated or even implied? and what makes you think that you can change this country from one that practices 'negative justice' into one that practices 'positive justice' without destroying it. as Ben Franklin said "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither". and that is precisely what you are proposing we doing"
3
Not exactly. You are quoting the republican mantra regarding "redistribution" of wealth. It's propagandist jingoism. What the 97% wants is for those who have "created" on the backs of poorly paid workers, or by exploiting the natural resources of this country pay their fair share, not only to the IRS but to those which make their wealth possible. See it for what it really is and stop buying the propaganda. And I think you might be quoting Ben wrong.
1
Feeding and educating the poor provides a long lasting benefit to the country, not "a little temporary safety".
Your claim that taxing the rich to subsidize the poor is theft is a blatant falsehood, the government has the right to tax citizens, and it has the right to decide how to spend the revenue from said taxes.
If the government were to behave that way you seem to want it to, we would descend into chaos quite rapidly. Wouldn't you rather pay higher taxes to live in an educated, well-fed and advanced country, than live in a country that is squalid, desolate and ravaged by poverty?
Your claim that taxing the rich to subsidize the poor is theft is a blatant falsehood, the government has the right to tax citizens, and it has the right to decide how to spend the revenue from said taxes.
If the government were to behave that way you seem to want it to, we would descend into chaos quite rapidly. Wouldn't you rather pay higher taxes to live in an educated, well-fed and advanced country, than live in a country that is squalid, desolate and ravaged by poverty?
2
Your statistics prove that there is something wrong! The rate of hunger 10.1 percent and the rate of obesity 47.8 percent. It means that people are buying, preparing and eating the wrong kind of food. Maybe we need to add cheap food preparation to class curriculum. Instead of complaining about what is available, help them to work with what is available.
When it comes to education, and schools in this country, we have proven that money doesn't mean great education. It doesn't always mean good teachers, it also means good students. Too many times in this country distruptive students are allowed to continue in normal classrooms because that would label them. It only hurts those students in the class whose education gets constantly disrupted. By the way, I understand and unfortunately saw that in a diverse school many times black students put in lower classes because they were disruptive. However in a 95% black school, that racism doesn't exist.
What most people don't realize, is how many white children are tutored. That the same problems with disruptive students occurs in white schools and the result is more and more white parents are home schooling their children or tutoring them on the side.
When it comes to education, and schools in this country, we have proven that money doesn't mean great education. It doesn't always mean good teachers, it also means good students. Too many times in this country distruptive students are allowed to continue in normal classrooms because that would label them. It only hurts those students in the class whose education gets constantly disrupted. By the way, I understand and unfortunately saw that in a diverse school many times black students put in lower classes because they were disruptive. However in a 95% black school, that racism doesn't exist.
What most people don't realize, is how many white children are tutored. That the same problems with disruptive students occurs in white schools and the result is more and more white parents are home schooling their children or tutoring them on the side.
3
As usual, the "problems" of the "black community" are "fixable" - with more handouts.
10
Mr. Bittman:
I am amazed that so many readers want you to "stick to cooking." I love your recipes, and I love cooking, but we all live in a context, and a good cook must be thoughtful, aware, and part of his or her world. Thank you for sharing your opinions. I'm proud to say I agree with you in the BART station and in the kitchen.
I am amazed that so many readers want you to "stick to cooking." I love your recipes, and I love cooking, but we all live in a context, and a good cook must be thoughtful, aware, and part of his or her world. Thank you for sharing your opinions. I'm proud to say I agree with you in the BART station and in the kitchen.
9
Dear Mr. bittman,
Your article is of course is correct about our citizens of color, but all these problems can be resolved with a Job that offers a livable wage. This can't be done over night, but we can begin by raising the Minimum wage that can pay the rent & put food on the table, I know the Democrats are trying to get this through, & I know about the Republican objections, but it must be accomplished.There are pros & Cons to every situation, but human needs must come before any down side that may occur. The only other solution is to subsidize the salaries of the poor, which again will not be
approved by the Republicans, because of the increase of taxes it may cause, & that it looks like Socialism.As Mr Bittman writes we must have Justice for those that suffer racism.
Your article is of course is correct about our citizens of color, but all these problems can be resolved with a Job that offers a livable wage. This can't be done over night, but we can begin by raising the Minimum wage that can pay the rent & put food on the table, I know the Democrats are trying to get this through, & I know about the Republican objections, but it must be accomplished.There are pros & Cons to every situation, but human needs must come before any down side that may occur. The only other solution is to subsidize the salaries of the poor, which again will not be
approved by the Republicans, because of the increase of taxes it may cause, & that it looks like Socialism.As Mr Bittman writes we must have Justice for those that suffer racism.
1
Median household income declined 4.6 percent during Obama’s first five years, and nearly 5.5 million more Americans were living in poverty last year than before he took office. Time for a change and a wake-up call to the left.
3
I'm sorry to say that you can read right here among these comments the attitudes that keep the poor downtrodden. The bitterness, selfishness, lack of empathy that the poor have to face every day in this country are well-represented by these conservative-oriented opinions expressed; and I have yet to find one positive suggestion among them.
14
You first, juna. What positive suggestions have you for us? What one thing do you suggest we do to help the "downtrodden" to eat better?
1
This is a wonderful editorial and a perfect summation of what has gone so terribly wrong in America over the past thirty years. Civil oppression, inequality, lack of education and food, racism, ageism, un- or underemployment are all forms of economic terrorism.
Most of us are so busy struggling to just pay the bills and survive, we don't have time to be actively involved in rising up and reclaiming our democracy from the corporatists and oligarchs that have stolen it from our gutless government representatives.
Amen, Mark Bittman, Amen.
Most of us are so busy struggling to just pay the bills and survive, we don't have time to be actively involved in rising up and reclaiming our democracy from the corporatists and oligarchs that have stolen it from our gutless government representatives.
Amen, Mark Bittman, Amen.
6
"fund equal education, good-paying jobs, and a good food, health" Forget these government programs. They haven't been working very well. We can eliminate poverty by the federal government simply sending every adult citizen a monthly check equal to the poverty level ($1,100). An unconditional payment with no strings attached. No middle men. Administer by Social Security. We are now rich enough to afford it.
4
Haven’t I seen this movie before? Like about 50 times? Since the LBJ’s War On Poverty the government has spent 14 trillion dollars trying to fix this “fixable” problem. Yet the Left plods on, trying the same “solution” over and over again. It hasn't worked, and it won’t work. But, on the plus side, it does keep blacks block-voting Democratic.
5
I notice how strongly food affects me - I can't imagine having to live on junk food continually because of poverty. I think public schools should give a nutritious breakfast to all students. as a matter of policy. They come to school and the first thing they do is eat a good breakfast.
2
I first saw people panhandling (begging) during the tenure of Ronald Regan. Nice work Gipper. When will the walls he erected be torn down?
5
Then you were either living in a cave or not looking before that - panhandlers have existed long before any living human was born; if not why would the Bible teach that we should help them?
After 100 years of trying Progressivism (formally ushered in under Woodrow Wilson, cemented by FDR, vastly expanded by LBJ and turbocharged under Obama), it's time for the Left to take a hard look at its prescriptions through an empirical evidence lens rather than just carpet bombing counterarguments to the myriad decades-old policies that have obviously not worked.
Since late 1950s, the black American nuclear family has been 'helped' out of existence. Over 72% of black children are born to single parents. Black Americans remained mired in poverty, with high unemployment rates. Enormous amounts of money have been poured into schools, ghetto-areas, day care programs; most are rife with corruption. Large cities like Baltimore and Detriot - run by a majority of blacks - are economic disasters plagued by crime and routine violence.
A large majority of white Americans elected and re-elected a black president. But still, charges of rampant racism in our country continue to be used to advocate for even more money and even more Progressive programs.
Since late 1950s, the black American nuclear family has been 'helped' out of existence. Over 72% of black children are born to single parents. Black Americans remained mired in poverty, with high unemployment rates. Enormous amounts of money have been poured into schools, ghetto-areas, day care programs; most are rife with corruption. Large cities like Baltimore and Detriot - run by a majority of blacks - are economic disasters plagued by crime and routine violence.
A large majority of white Americans elected and re-elected a black president. But still, charges of rampant racism in our country continue to be used to advocate for even more money and even more Progressive programs.
9
Unfortunately, that's not taking a hard look at "Progressivism". In fact, it's looking at the evidence selectively in order to 'prove' ideological preconceptions.
a) Of course there is no simple history of "Progressivism". History is dynamic. FDR era programs still left many African Americans in the dust, and any social programs have been actively and strongly opposed by Republicans, especially since the 1980s (that's already 35 years of strongly reactionary politics, and counting). Even so, there is evidence that social programs *do* work, e.g. http://www.cbpp.org/research/various-supports-for-low-income-families-re...
b) Specifically regarding Blacs/African Americans there has been a strong history of civic oppression and segregation that started changing somewhat throughout the 1970s, but has not been fully erased. Ironically, the NYT just published an article a few days ago that plainly documents discriminatory practices aimed at effective suppression of black people: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/opinion/sunday/how-racism-doomed-balti.... So it's not as black people have had 100+ years of freedom; more like 30 in some cases. And a certain segment of white people still is motivated by racial fears, such as the segment that buys guns to protect themselves from those criminals and who imagine crime rates at to e more than 10x the actual ones.
a) Of course there is no simple history of "Progressivism". History is dynamic. FDR era programs still left many African Americans in the dust, and any social programs have been actively and strongly opposed by Republicans, especially since the 1980s (that's already 35 years of strongly reactionary politics, and counting). Even so, there is evidence that social programs *do* work, e.g. http://www.cbpp.org/research/various-supports-for-low-income-families-re...
b) Specifically regarding Blacs/African Americans there has been a strong history of civic oppression and segregation that started changing somewhat throughout the 1970s, but has not been fully erased. Ironically, the NYT just published an article a few days ago that plainly documents discriminatory practices aimed at effective suppression of black people: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/opinion/sunday/how-racism-doomed-balti.... So it's not as black people have had 100+ years of freedom; more like 30 in some cases. And a certain segment of white people still is motivated by racial fears, such as the segment that buys guns to protect themselves from those criminals and who imagine crime rates at to e more than 10x the actual ones.
1
Thank you, Mark Bittman!
And thank you, NYT, for expanding Mr. Bittman's role at the Times into one of its best Op-Ed writers.
If there were more politicians and ordinary citizens with the moral character, clarity of thought, and sense of justice like Mark Bittman, America would be a far better place.
And thank you, NYT, for expanding Mr. Bittman's role at the Times into one of its best Op-Ed writers.
If there were more politicians and ordinary citizens with the moral character, clarity of thought, and sense of justice like Mark Bittman, America would be a far better place.
4
Sorry Mark, Times commenters, and non-commenting readers but this column is a sample of a growing problem in America.
Mark opens by intimating that he is going to write about nutrition. But it takes only a few words before he lands in incident land - police vs. x.
I am one who has submitted hundreds of comments in that latter land but using that as the basis for writing about nutrition does not make sense.
How many millions of Americans are not eating well enough? What public policy, if any, could change that national nutritional deficit? Will pointing to incident land change anyone's mind, that is the empty minds of our Congressional representatives? No.
Several readers point to Orlando Patterson's new book The Culture Matrix, which I am now reading. Although the book is about Black Youth it really is also about National Culture that affects everyone. Reading it might help some understand that Patterson has a breadth of vision not often seen. Read him.
Let's write more about everyone?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Mark opens by intimating that he is going to write about nutrition. But it takes only a few words before he lands in incident land - police vs. x.
I am one who has submitted hundreds of comments in that latter land but using that as the basis for writing about nutrition does not make sense.
How many millions of Americans are not eating well enough? What public policy, if any, could change that national nutritional deficit? Will pointing to incident land change anyone's mind, that is the empty minds of our Congressional representatives? No.
Several readers point to Orlando Patterson's new book The Culture Matrix, which I am now reading. Although the book is about Black Youth it really is also about National Culture that affects everyone. Reading it might help some understand that Patterson has a breadth of vision not often seen. Read him.
Let's write more about everyone?
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
1
"it’s simply a question of economics and of budgets and of inequality".
If economists, social scientists, and policy makers do not find these questions to be simple, neither should a food writer.
If economists, social scientists, and policy makers do not find these questions to be simple, neither should a food writer.
23
Politicians and others in charge know what the answers are but their corporate owners don't want them to do anything about it. Fair wages, corporations actually paying their taxes, educations systems that work to educate students and not out money in for profit corporations pockets, a government and President that focuses on the needs of Americans and not the global economy. Fight TPP.
1
The solutions to this problem are not difficult at all; tax policy, including services to support the health of poor Americans, is NOT rocket science. Hail to the food writer to shining a light on how wealth disparity affects the health of poor Americans, because access to healthy food is very limited. It is pretty pathetic since we are the wealthiest nation in the world, yet our rate of poverty keeps rising.
1
Mr., Bittman is not saying that the solutions are simple. He is saying that the problem can be stated simply, and he is correct: it is simply a question of economics and budgets and of inequality. That is a complex set of conditions, but they can be summarized in one sentence.
For example, after a patient dies of multiple injuries, the doctor says, "He simply got banged up too much." This is the same way that Mr. Bittman is using the word "simply."
Finally, as an observer of culture and life, there is no reason why a food writer cannot think about how economics and justice relate to food, just as a sports writer can legitimately opine how sports is influenced by a culture obsessed with violence. Whether you agree with him is another matter.
For example, after a patient dies of multiple injuries, the doctor says, "He simply got banged up too much." This is the same way that Mr. Bittman is using the word "simply."
Finally, as an observer of culture and life, there is no reason why a food writer cannot think about how economics and justice relate to food, just as a sports writer can legitimately opine how sports is influenced by a culture obsessed with violence. Whether you agree with him is another matter.
Amen! I think our best shot for that is to rid ourselves of the theiving fascists in our government and return our democracy to by the people and NOT by the corporation. Bernie Sanders seems our best shot at the moment. And getting people in the congress and senate who are not in the pockets of big business is top priority.
57
In a country as wealthy as America, much of this injustice could be solved in a generation. The fact is that we won't because the government doesn't represent us; only wealthy campaign contributors. We need money out of politics.
49
"The good news is that it’s fixable."
That is an assumption without proof. How many ideas have been tried, yet we are back to where we started decades ago?
Maybe it isn't fixable without such massive human engineering that the solution would create an even worse world. Isn't that the theme of many science fiction stories?
Aren't we actually trying to solve a problem that is probably as old as humans have been on this earth? That problem being poverty and that a huge percentage of the world lives in much worse circumstances than the rest.
I would rather keep trying, and failing, than giving up. Yet I am not hopeful. Not hopeful without a better conceptualization of the problem than we currently have, and always have had. We need new ideas, better ideas, not new programs that simply do what we have done or tried before.
That is an assumption without proof. How many ideas have been tried, yet we are back to where we started decades ago?
Maybe it isn't fixable without such massive human engineering that the solution would create an even worse world. Isn't that the theme of many science fiction stories?
Aren't we actually trying to solve a problem that is probably as old as humans have been on this earth? That problem being poverty and that a huge percentage of the world lives in much worse circumstances than the rest.
I would rather keep trying, and failing, than giving up. Yet I am not hopeful. Not hopeful without a better conceptualization of the problem than we currently have, and always have had. We need new ideas, better ideas, not new programs that simply do what we have done or tried before.
10
Sorry to see a well-liked food writer turn into a political columnist. We get it: racism, classism and sexism. Rinse, repeat. Leave it for Charles Blow and stick to food writing, please.
56
I disagree. This is a very important column. Mr. Bittman describes the problem clearly and eloquently.
9
The idea that "we get it" does not ring true. If "we get it", there would be change for the better. Yes, this is a historical problem but that is no reason to turn our backs on other people. Everything and everyone is dependent on the whole.
A start is to look at the larger picture and question our priorities, and fears. Question how we have placed the society's belief in industry above our belief in our neighbors and what they could add to our lives with better opportunities.
A start is to look at the larger picture and question our priorities, and fears. Question how we have placed the society's belief in industry above our belief in our neighbors and what they could add to our lives with better opportunities.
4
It's not at all clear to me why Mr. Bittman should only be narrowly pidgeonholed by your apparent definition of "food writer". He's long been interested in (and written about) increasing access to nutritious food. If all you want are recipes for chicken a la king, use Google.
3
Your solution seems to call for more money for education, more money for programs. We throw money at things all the time, often with dire consequences. We have an enormous defense budget, then spend it meddling around the world. We have the highest healthcare spending, but have worse health care than most of the first world nations, or even Cuba for that matter. We spend more money on education than most first world countries again only to leave millions of children poorly educated, and many well educated deeply in debt.
What we're doing isn't working. I don't don't know what the solution is, but throwing more money at the problem doesn't immediately create solutions.
What we're doing isn't working. I don't don't know what the solution is, but throwing more money at the problem doesn't immediately create solutions.
39
Excuse, we are NOT throwing money at poor people. The social safety net has declined. Education is funded through property taxes; if you live in a poor neighborhood, your school will reflect that. Distributing money, responsibly, so that the poor (particularly children) have access to healthy food, a decent education, etc., will do an enormous amount to make us a healthier (and more humane) country. Not something the libertarian policy makers care about.
42
I'm not sure where your figures are from, but every public school my kids have attended, every school I've known about through friends and relatives and other ways, has had its budget cut every single year. Every single year. "We have the highest healthcare spending" -- do you mean government spending, or just what's spent in this country on health care every year? Not the same thing. But you're totally right about defense spending.
3
How much of our government services has been privatized over the last 40 years? We're throwing money in many cases at private corporations that make more money off of bad outcomes. They promise to do things more efficiently and for less money but it does not happen that way and they keep upping the bill to us taxpayers but the politicians at all levels of government are being paid handsomely.
It seems like more and more things are owned and operated poorly by hedge funds conglomerates who know nothing of education, prisons, military functions. All they know is bottom line profits and they do a poor job for we the people.
It seems like more and more things are owned and operated poorly by hedge funds conglomerates who know nothing of education, prisons, military functions. All they know is bottom line profits and they do a poor job for we the people.
3
Please excuse me for not be ashamed. I am a white male upper-middle class have 3 kids, 1 wife and a few jobs.
I'm not ashamed because I am responsible, law abiding, I contribute to society and I don't bend reality to be PC.
The woman in the BART system needs to be ashamed. She committed some kind of crime and was resisting arrest. All of which causes a potential danger to herself, the cops and onlookers. Not to mention is a waste of resources.
The onlookers need to be ashamed for interfering with a police officer in the line of duty. Since when did that stop being a crime and became a spectator sport?
You need to be ashamed for using your public forum to distort the truth. Propensity for diabetes is genetic viz Africans are more likely afflicted.
The Democrats and Obama need to be ashamed for proposing simple unworkable vote-getting solutions. Namely, take from the top 10% (excluding the connected and very wealthy) and give to the bottom half. The issues are more complicated than that. Trade, outsourcing, tax loopholes, lack of opportunities for all, corrupt government contracts, affirmative action, litigation that serves the lawyers and gets votes, corporate malfeasance... I think you know that it isn't about a cop doing his job, an already progressive tax code or more social programs that don't work, or get out jail free cards for criminals...
I'm not ashamed because I am responsible, law abiding, I contribute to society and I don't bend reality to be PC.
The woman in the BART system needs to be ashamed. She committed some kind of crime and was resisting arrest. All of which causes a potential danger to herself, the cops and onlookers. Not to mention is a waste of resources.
The onlookers need to be ashamed for interfering with a police officer in the line of duty. Since when did that stop being a crime and became a spectator sport?
You need to be ashamed for using your public forum to distort the truth. Propensity for diabetes is genetic viz Africans are more likely afflicted.
The Democrats and Obama need to be ashamed for proposing simple unworkable vote-getting solutions. Namely, take from the top 10% (excluding the connected and very wealthy) and give to the bottom half. The issues are more complicated than that. Trade, outsourcing, tax loopholes, lack of opportunities for all, corrupt government contracts, affirmative action, litigation that serves the lawyers and gets votes, corporate malfeasance... I think you know that it isn't about a cop doing his job, an already progressive tax code or more social programs that don't work, or get out jail free cards for criminals...
23
"The woman in the BART system" was the "crazy lady from the library". She probably needs help of some sort, not to feel shame.
1
Could you at least CONSIDER having a moment of unease on Sundays in church when you consider that we have millions of kids living in poverty and going hungry, let alone that your alibi for this sort of thing goes something like, "well,nthey're all african-american, so they likely have a genetic problem?"
You ought to be ashamed. Perhaps not for being law-abiding, but for accusing those who are trying to do something about the vast inequity of opportunity in this country of "proposing simple unworkable vote-getting solutions" and suggesting that the very wealthy, who've been extremely well rewarded by a system they've been allowed to rig for their own benefit, shouldn't be asked to pay their fair share.
Mr. Bittman, while I agree with your general premise that there is an unconscionable lack of justice for marginalized Black Americans, I find your "straightforward, logical, nondoctrinaire," economic argument to be deceivingly simplistic. Investing huge sums of money in schools is not enough to solve the problem. Children living in inner-cities plagued by gang violence would still have issues physically getting to these well-funded schools due to the very real pressure of violence that is part of their daily lives. A single mother's having to work two or three jobs just to survive prevents her from being home for her children to help shield them from the real injustices outside the front door. Some of these children experience PTSD (on the scale of what military veterans suffer) from growing up in neighborhoods where violence is an everyday part of life. Putting money into schools alone will not even begin to solve this problem.
Furthermore, Black men with a good education still have to face racism, have difficulty finding a good job, and get paid less than their white counterparts. Black women in this society statistically have an incredible amount of education and still get paid less because they are Black and female.
While I appreciate your sentiment, I am aghast at your over-simplification of the situation. We will never be able to adequately put right the injustices of our society if we do not adequately understand the contextual nuances of the issues.
Furthermore, Black men with a good education still have to face racism, have difficulty finding a good job, and get paid less than their white counterparts. Black women in this society statistically have an incredible amount of education and still get paid less because they are Black and female.
While I appreciate your sentiment, I am aghast at your over-simplification of the situation. We will never be able to adequately put right the injustices of our society if we do not adequately understand the contextual nuances of the issues.
7
Another factor that is easy to ignore when you life in safety--stray dogs in addition to dangerous humans. At one point I moved to the metaphorical other side of the tracks, and quickly stopped my neighborhood running routine because there were too many stray dogs to feel comfortable.
When we (black people) are poor we are considered moochers despite the constitutional exception to slavery in the prison system, when we are middle class we are accused of stealing college seats and jobs due to affirmative action, and when we take heed ofconservative pundits and become business owners to hire our own and reduce black unemployment levels, we are called racist for creating companies like BET. We cannot win in some people's eyes
When we (black people) are poor we are considered moochers despite the constitutional exception to slavery in the prison system, when we are middle class we are accused of stealing college seats and jobs due to affirmative action, and when we take heed ofconservative pundits and become business owners to hire our own and reduce black unemployment levels, we are called racist for creating companies like BET. We cannot win in some people's eyes
15
Why do you need "black" associations? If whites were to create a strictly "white" association you'd scream to no end. Why do you insist on preferential treatment through affirmative action? Why not stand on your own? You need to stop considering a victim and stand on your own two feet, taking responsibility for what you do. Don't blame others!
1
I liked the recent article by Orlando Patterson on this issue. There are twin problems. One, which this article points to is racism and police brutality. He says,
"It’s not just police racism. It’s about a culture of violence."
He himself is black, and a Harvard professor.
The other problem to which Patterson points is the enormous amount of lawlessness among black teenagers who pursue a culture of toughness and heartlessness. They prey mostly on the black community but occasionally outside and occasionally kill policemen.
Patterson points out that some tough laws, e.g. against drugs, were enacted with the SUPPORT of black community leaders who were fed up with their communities being preyed upon by gangs and macho young men.
Until we learn to understand that there are two problems and not just one, we will get nowhere.
It is a tragedy that neither liberals nor conservatives look at the full picture.
"It’s not just police racism. It’s about a culture of violence."
He himself is black, and a Harvard professor.
The other problem to which Patterson points is the enormous amount of lawlessness among black teenagers who pursue a culture of toughness and heartlessness. They prey mostly on the black community but occasionally outside and occasionally kill policemen.
Patterson points out that some tough laws, e.g. against drugs, were enacted with the SUPPORT of black community leaders who were fed up with their communities being preyed upon by gangs and macho young men.
Until we learn to understand that there are two problems and not just one, we will get nowhere.
It is a tragedy that neither liberals nor conservatives look at the full picture.
52
It's not just about race. It's about class. The reason we see more violence against blacks is because they stand out. If you go through mug shots you will see that there are more whites than blacks. Yes, there is racism. But, let's not let anyone divide up the poor between races.
A poor white woman, living in poverty, supporting her kids from hand-to-mouth lives a brutish, short life as much as a poor black man who sells drugs on a street corner. Both, are equally grist for the justice mill. That mill employs thousands of cops and lawyers and judges.
A poor white woman, living in poverty, supporting her kids from hand-to-mouth lives a brutish, short life as much as a poor black man who sells drugs on a street corner. Both, are equally grist for the justice mill. That mill employs thousands of cops and lawyers and judges.
11
Agreed. The prison industry thrives off the poor.
Please, stick to cooking. First of all, the North Charleston incident started when the "victim" ran from the cop, attacked him, and ran again. I don't believe any of that justifies shooting him, but let's not pretend Walter Scott was completely innocent.
And the comment, "it occurred to all of us...that she could have her spine broken" is offensive. Please, do not insult and demean all cops because of the actions of a few, and based on a case that has not been tried yet.
Now, I don't disagree that the cycle of poverty as described by Komlos is very difficult to break and while it isn't inevitable that someone born in a bad neighborhood will never be able to get out, it is likely the vast majority will be trapped. But your logic (like most of your column) is flawed. School funding is not the issue. Throwing more money at schools (assuming it gets there through the hands of corrupt officials) has proved not to work. And as for the rest of your ideas, these are all wonderful outcomes but political policies aren't going to produce better education and good paying jobs. We've been trying that for decades and poverty stays with us and increases.
And that's horrible. But don't blame cops. Blame idiotic progressive policies. Blame the culture of victimhood that progressives have pushed. Blame overzealous prison policies (pushed by Bill Clinton and others).
We need fresh ideas to reduce poverty, not the same hackneyed progressive junk.
And the comment, "it occurred to all of us...that she could have her spine broken" is offensive. Please, do not insult and demean all cops because of the actions of a few, and based on a case that has not been tried yet.
Now, I don't disagree that the cycle of poverty as described by Komlos is very difficult to break and while it isn't inevitable that someone born in a bad neighborhood will never be able to get out, it is likely the vast majority will be trapped. But your logic (like most of your column) is flawed. School funding is not the issue. Throwing more money at schools (assuming it gets there through the hands of corrupt officials) has proved not to work. And as for the rest of your ideas, these are all wonderful outcomes but political policies aren't going to produce better education and good paying jobs. We've been trying that for decades and poverty stays with us and increases.
And that's horrible. But don't blame cops. Blame idiotic progressive policies. Blame the culture of victimhood that progressives have pushed. Blame overzealous prison policies (pushed by Bill Clinton and others).
We need fresh ideas to reduce poverty, not the same hackneyed progressive junk.
25
I don't have enough time to respond to everything you've said here, but one thing you said really struck me. You said throwing money at schools doesn't work. Maybe not. But under-funding schools, as we are doing now, also does not work. I am a former teacher and I taught at a Title 1 school. My classes were all overcrowded, my textbooks were all outdated and falling apart, and I had to spend my own money to provide my classroom with necessary supplies. There was a large hole in the wall of my classroom that never got fixed. There are very few places that are "throwing money at schools." It is usually the exact opposite. This was in the Dallas, Texas area - with the exact opposite of progressive politics at play.
1
Another libertarian speaks and says absolutely NOTHING of value. POLICIES that support ordinary Americans helps the society. Policies that only support the 1% do nothing to support this country. And look who is doing well in 21st Century America?
Can we at least CONSIDER blaming cops who do incompetent things like let big guys they think just assaulted and robbed somebody stroll up to the cruiser window while they're belted in, who roll up real close to stupid kids with toy guns and leap out scream and shoot within five seconds, or who can't get some fool back to the cop shop without two stops to change clothes, a fractured spine, and a crushed larynx?
One ironic turn of phrase struck me: "It occurred to all of us, I’m sure, that she could have her spine broken in the paddy wagon."
When talking about institutional racism and injustice, it seems odd to describe the police van as a paddy wagon -- the term hosts the pejorative term for the Irish immigrants and how they were treated in this country.
When talking about institutional racism and injustice, it seems odd to describe the police van as a paddy wagon -- the term hosts the pejorative term for the Irish immigrants and how they were treated in this country.
26
Quite correct, Louis. I cringe when people say Happy Paddy's Day, also!
1
In a perfect world, adults would all have living wage paying jobs, access to equal education and opportunity and of course, access to good food and the knowledge of how to cook it. The world has never been fair or just. Many of the smallest of our societal units, families, no longer provide the root educational foundations for their own children. My childhood in the late 50's and early 60's was not good - I became the victim of a sexual assault and was punished by our religious community and basically, my prospects as a sane and loving potential wife and mother were demolished before I got out of grammar school, but, my family, including an eighth grade educated Grandmother, valued literacy. I read my way out of isolation, into knowledge and even into better eating habits. I have just read that the Nigerian girls rescued from Boko Haran are now being returned home to ridicule and stigma. The fact is - in many sitcoms and other entertainment venues, studious kids from poorer neighborhoods are seen as socially inadequate. Indeed, there is an undercurrent of political thought that "liberals" are inadequate as opposed to the shiny, bright "pitbull with lipstick" types who present themselves as being somehow more independently capable and resilient in the "real" world when in fact, their medicine, the cars they drive, and the twitter feeds they send out result from the efforts of bookish sorts who avoided, circumvented or outlasted injustice. We all know this....
16
The great risk shift began under ronnie in the 1980s. We are seeing the fruits of the shift. Instead of trying to do something about poverty we cut taxes for the wealthy, cut funding for social programs and cut funding for education.
57
What' missing in this good article is the role of the junk food and fast food industry. Years ago I lived on pell grants and work study money while putting myself through school. I had to eat very cheaply but I ate healthily because of two things 1) my city neighborhood (which was then a blue collar Italian enclave) had lots of little grocery stores that sold inexpensive cut of meat fresh produce; and 2) I knew how to cook. Before we look to govt. programs to combat undernourishment and obesity, look at how many fast food places and convenience stores are zoned in in poor neighborhoods. And compare that to good grocery stores. Also, maybe we should bring back "home economics" and teach kids how to cook and eat cheaply .
166
Oh give it a rest. There are plenty of ways to eat healthy, but that takes work. So much easier to buy fast food, especially when your not paying for it.
1
No one seems to have time to cook these days. Facebook is calling...
Families often have no tradition of home cooking, and organizations which address food insecurity are beginning to address that. At the Food Shelf in my small town, we offer cooking lessons - clients of the Food Shelf can join these during the hours when they normally come for food anyway. The organizers of the Food Shelf also print out recipes for the fresh food we get from the regional Food Bank (which also sponsors cooking instruction). A local public school program for boys also teaches cooking, and encourages the boys to cook for their families - which they do, with great pride.
"These numbers are not a result of a lack of food access but of an abundance of poverty. Lack of education is not a result of a culture of victimhood but of lack of funding for schools."
Please pass this very true message on to David Brooks. He can then give it to the Cato Institute and Heritage Foundation where he goes for insight in to poverty. It is a topic about which neither he nor they have a clue.
Please pass this very true message on to David Brooks. He can then give it to the Cato Institute and Heritage Foundation where he goes for insight in to poverty. It is a topic about which neither he nor they have a clue.
1
We pay more per student than just about any other OECD. Yet, look at our outcomes, awful. Why would we pour more money down that hole? Let's get some accountability from the public schools before we shuttle any more money to them.
"But oppression and inequality are violence in another form."
Yes, we must understand, more clearly and responsibly, the many ways of violating humans, especially those who are so accessible and vulnerable, in so many different ways. Our social evolution could enhance our nation's consciousness about this level of violence and violation.
However, as long as our dominant culture's apologists achieve the most book sales, life as it is truly lived and too often violated, will be evaded, avoided, or dismissed when called to account, as with Steven Pinker--or was it Pollyana--who wrote "The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined."
Contrast Rob Nixon's "Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor," released just a year earlier than "Better Angels"--as if Nixon is studying and suffering for a different planet-- and we may come back down to Earth and live as people must, unfortunately.
Yet, many determine that everyday and multiple varieties of violence against the poor doesn't make for interesting, or -- better yet -- exciting reading. Unfortunately, in these instances the real subject is the police, a subject which has always had the potential to be extremely energizing, and the victims and their loved ones become something in the background.
http://occupythishope.org
Barry McKenna
Yes, we must understand, more clearly and responsibly, the many ways of violating humans, especially those who are so accessible and vulnerable, in so many different ways. Our social evolution could enhance our nation's consciousness about this level of violence and violation.
However, as long as our dominant culture's apologists achieve the most book sales, life as it is truly lived and too often violated, will be evaded, avoided, or dismissed when called to account, as with Steven Pinker--or was it Pollyana--who wrote "The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined."
Contrast Rob Nixon's "Slow Violence and the Environmentalism of the Poor," released just a year earlier than "Better Angels"--as if Nixon is studying and suffering for a different planet-- and we may come back down to Earth and live as people must, unfortunately.
Yet, many determine that everyday and multiple varieties of violence against the poor doesn't make for interesting, or -- better yet -- exciting reading. Unfortunately, in these instances the real subject is the police, a subject which has always had the potential to be extremely energizing, and the victims and their loved ones become something in the background.
http://occupythishope.org
Barry McKenna
If you can afford McDonald's hamburgers, fries, and Cokes for you and your (how many?) kids, you can afford to buy a lot of Birdseye frozen vegetables and a chicken.
No one is denying that some people have less than others. But eating badly and more expensively is not a function of poverty.
No one is denying that some people have less than others. But eating badly and more expensively is not a function of poverty.
17
How about living in a food desert that requires a bus ride to purchase items that are fit to consume?
I can afford Birds Eye but buy store brand instead, much cheaper and it's the exact same thing. You're payign for advertising. All fast food places should be banned from the food stamp program if it isn't already. What nonsense.
Thanks for again connecting the dots.
Please! Not long ago is 150 years! My relative were then serfs in Russia. They were also faced restricted movement and were periodically slaughtered by government Cossacks on horseback. They fled those horrors to arrive in the US where segregation in housing and college admittance was also practiced against Jews. Where is any mention of personal choice and responsibility? Teenager girls having babies without partners and then continuing that negative practice for generations is not a path to prosperity. Why not address that problem?
50
To address this problem would not be politically correct. It's a pathetic cycle that is condoned by the government.
2
Raise the aspirations of those teenage girls. Teach them about condoms and birth control. And encourage them to aspire to college and better jobs.
1
Yes, Sad, and my Irish grandfather was denied the valedictorian honor simply because he was Irish (remember, "no dogs or Irish" signs?). But here is the difference--Jews and Irish people are generally Caucasian and thus free of the most rampant, virulent prejudice that people of color face.
2
Well said, I couldn't agree more. The one thing I would add is that good beginnings for children are more important, according to brain science, then I think we understand. We need to know that mental health is the key to success and all that architecture is being formed in the brain before children are verbal. We need that primary caregiver to be cheerful and chatty and in tune with that baby and while that doesn't cost money, our environment affects our mental health. Surely reasonable people don't expect people who live in horrible conditions to work three jobs, and be cheerful, chatty and in tune with baby. We're spending money way too late if we're waiting until pre-K.
3
Thank you for your thinking about food and the part it plays in poverty. Michael Harrington also wrote about the trap for the poor in his "The Other Amercia." Our task is to break the cycle. Criminal behavior by the police only adds to the problem. It also makes things worse when "the food guy" tries to be the crime beat reporter. You assume the officers were only behaving correctly because others were watching. You imply that the arrest was questionable. You show ignorance when you slide from criticizing what appears to be murder by a police officer to questioning police procedure in handcuffing people who may be dead or wounded. Stop and think. Why might the police do that? I want the police to obey the law and follow their own rules.
8
Mark, are you aware that there have been 40 shootings, 15 fatal, in Baltimore since April 28? There were 10 shootings and 3 deaths on May 10 alone, including one person shot in the head and another shot in the back. There is no mention of these shootings and deaths anywhere in the New York Times. Do you care? What is it about these shootings and killings that you apparently feel no outrage over them?
28
I'm sorry; but this is becoming ridiculous. It's 'our' fault that Blacks are going hungry AND, at exactly the same time, it's 'our' fault that they are obese?
It's true that if you live in a 'bad' neighborhood, you are likely to go to school with students who are seemingly doing everything they can to disrupt the educational process. You don't want us to kick out disruptive children, then you complain that teachers can't teach under those conditions. And yet, in those very schools, you will find children who manage to be hugely successful. Often they are children who are also the first generation to learn English in their families.
The reason young Black males have a shorter life span is that they have been killed by other young Black men and boys.
You write, "Not long ago African-Americans were enslaved . . ." That would be one hundred and fifty years ago.
The NYTimes reluctantly reports the deaths of on-duty police officers and goes to great lengths to disguise the fact that all the recently reported cop killings were carried out by Blacks. The Times neglects to report that the cop who detained Mr. Blow's son, with gun drawn, is Black. That the supervising officer on the scene with Eric Garner, is Black. That the driver of the police van, the only Baltimore police likely to be convicted of anything, is Black.
And no one should be shot in the back while running away from a lawful detention - usually.
Out of words!
It's true that if you live in a 'bad' neighborhood, you are likely to go to school with students who are seemingly doing everything they can to disrupt the educational process. You don't want us to kick out disruptive children, then you complain that teachers can't teach under those conditions. And yet, in those very schools, you will find children who manage to be hugely successful. Often they are children who are also the first generation to learn English in their families.
The reason young Black males have a shorter life span is that they have been killed by other young Black men and boys.
You write, "Not long ago African-Americans were enslaved . . ." That would be one hundred and fifty years ago.
The NYTimes reluctantly reports the deaths of on-duty police officers and goes to great lengths to disguise the fact that all the recently reported cop killings were carried out by Blacks. The Times neglects to report that the cop who detained Mr. Blow's son, with gun drawn, is Black. That the supervising officer on the scene with Eric Garner, is Black. That the driver of the police van, the only Baltimore police likely to be convicted of anything, is Black.
And no one should be shot in the back while running away from a lawful detention - usually.
Out of words!
34
You're wrong; the Times did report what you say it did not. I, for one, am glad you're out of words!
Internalized racism, just like internalized sexism in women or internalized "self-hatred" in Jews, exists and is quite common. It is disturbing but not surprising in any way to see black as well as white police officers involved in some of these abuses.
yep...We should be ashamed at our visceral response to the obvious disenfranchisement of American Citizens. Criminalizing the OUTLIERS who are other than us in order to justify criminal actions of rogue officers (no workers are perfect) underlines what shame/judgment cannot teach...empathy. Our lack of Empathy is why our once great Nation corrodes.
It's not fixable until we figure out a way to end the dependency culture that allows people to never hold any responsible job, care for their children or contribute to their community.
29
Dependency culture? Yeah, corporations/WS are very dependent on us tax payers to bail them out when they ruin the economy. No problem with that, aye? Those wealthy welfare queens are A-OK, cause they are white and wearing suits. Got it!
You mean that of the very wealthy, who don't have to work (or who can "work" at jobs that the rest of us wouldn't recognize as work), can pay nannies and au pairs to raise their children, and generally benefit at the expense of the rest of us without contributing (or while "contributing" with philanthropy toward money-making scams like charter schools and PACs)?
Yes, those "takers" are a problem we should address.
Yes, those "takers" are a problem we should address.
An excellent article that should open the eyes of its readers. No one, especially children should go hungry in a country like ours. If we can find the money to build new football and baseball stadiums, we can find the ways and means to help the hungry in this country.
7
We already did. There are no hungry children in the US. 15% of the US population now gets food stamps, which are very generous (they get more than most working families can afford to spend on food!). This number has DOUBLED under Obama (it used to be 7%).
Those poor kids ALSO GET free breakfast and free lunch at school -- 10 meals a week -- out of a potential 21 meals. Yet they get the same food stamp benefit as an adult man. Nothing is deducted for those free meals at school.
SO what happens? The child's parent (*usually an unmarried young woman) takes the food stamps and SELLS THEM -- or sells the food products -- to get cash to buy things like beer, pot, liquor, Lotto tickets, cigarettes, cellphones, manicures and what have you. The things that food stamps and welfare refuse (properly) to pay for, but which a young woman might very much want. Basically ALL CHILD HUNGER IN AMERICA is directly caused by this.
Please tell me what the solution is!!! I'd love to hear even one suggestion. In my area, I regular drive by inner city stores with huge signs in the window that say "We Swipe EBT or SNAP" which means "they will swipe your card illegally for anything you wish to buy". They are so brazen because nobody checks or cracks down on them or this despicable practice which takes food out of the mouths of children.
Those poor kids ALSO GET free breakfast and free lunch at school -- 10 meals a week -- out of a potential 21 meals. Yet they get the same food stamp benefit as an adult man. Nothing is deducted for those free meals at school.
SO what happens? The child's parent (*usually an unmarried young woman) takes the food stamps and SELLS THEM -- or sells the food products -- to get cash to buy things like beer, pot, liquor, Lotto tickets, cigarettes, cellphones, manicures and what have you. The things that food stamps and welfare refuse (properly) to pay for, but which a young woman might very much want. Basically ALL CHILD HUNGER IN AMERICA is directly caused by this.
Please tell me what the solution is!!! I'd love to hear even one suggestion. In my area, I regular drive by inner city stores with huge signs in the window that say "We Swipe EBT or SNAP" which means "they will swipe your card illegally for anything you wish to buy". They are so brazen because nobody checks or cracks down on them or this despicable practice which takes food out of the mouths of children.
An opinion piece on economic justice that doesn't mention Repubicans makes me a little nervous.
3
He is talking about Baltimore, which has been run by Dems to close to 50 years so yor point is?
2
On the economic front in this country hope for economic justice is a sinking ship for blacks and whites. It does not have to be that way but a false economic doctrine has become tangled up with politics and the power of money to distort the power of knowledge. There is nothing noble about struggle when struggle occurs because the economics of a social and political system has been deliberately distorted to prevent success. People with money will not take enterprise into neighborhoods where jobs are needed nor will they pay taxes to allow government to intervene in community development. In fact politics has become such a lucrative game that many leaders throw altruism for the good of the country and "we the people" to the winds and enter the political game for self aggrandizement and the power to enrich themselves and their friends. In fact a once great country is tearing itself apart in an effort to promote an economic system that leaves tens if not hundreds of millions groveling for a decent living whether they have jobs or not. But for better or worse the spirit of one hundred million of those citizens keep on trucking into work every day and the rest, who may not even be aware of the "American Dream", keep on hoping for better treatment from a system stacked against them.
1
Thank you, Mark Bittman. This is the most honest piece we have seen yet from a Times contributor.
3
Thanks, Mark. Well said - and to Des Johnson - if better schools aren't a way to improve people's lives, what is? My fear is that the privitization of the public school system in this country is one of the primary goals of the Republican party. Are we going to allow that to happen?
4
The good new is indeed that it is "fixable" through political policies. The bad news is that, courtesy of Michelle Rhee, Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, and intellectual laziness en masse, there is now an entrenched hostility towards public education in specific, and public anything in general.
In Los Angeles - which is in California, possibly the bluest state in the country - the hostility against public education and its separate elements, especially teachers, is alarmingly high. I believe the hostility is so virulent because in California public education is seen as a service provided for "them" - read African Americans and Latinos.
None of this is surprising, as we have massive forces who gain politically and financially from maintaining a Disunited States of America. To defeat them will require an informed and activist populace, and the last time that was allowed to exist was in the 1960s.
In Los Angeles - which is in California, possibly the bluest state in the country - the hostility against public education and its separate elements, especially teachers, is alarmingly high. I believe the hostility is so virulent because in California public education is seen as a service provided for "them" - read African Americans and Latinos.
None of this is surprising, as we have massive forces who gain politically and financially from maintaining a Disunited States of America. To defeat them will require an informed and activist populace, and the last time that was allowed to exist was in the 1960s.
3
No, it is because a court (Baker v. Priest) decided that local school districts could not raise taxes to benefit their schools. People forbidden to improve their local schools gave up on them.
1
Who RUNS public education (in LA or anywhere else in the US)? THE TEACHER UNIONS.
Why don't you address your concerns directly to them? They are unanswerable for their actions or their failures. They get the same lux pay and benefits (and short hours, and 11 week summer vacations) whether their students fail or thrive -- graduate or drop out. They get the same huge pension after 30 years (average age of retirement: FIFTY TWO!), so why try hard? Just slack and wait for the big pension windfall....90% of final salary for life (another 30 years!).
Why don't you address your concerns directly to them? They are unanswerable for their actions or their failures. They get the same lux pay and benefits (and short hours, and 11 week summer vacations) whether their students fail or thrive -- graduate or drop out. They get the same huge pension after 30 years (average age of retirement: FIFTY TWO!), so why try hard? Just slack and wait for the big pension windfall....90% of final salary for life (another 30 years!).
Do you think maybe the hostility is because of the obscene amounts of money the public schools take and the abysmal outcomes? Do you not think that 'brown and African-American' parents want better outcomes for their children? We pay more per student than just about every OECD nation and our results are awful. That's where the hostility comes from.
1
'Without economic justice there is no nutritional literacy, there is no good eating, there is no health.' Again, Bittman is one of the few NY Times reporters that's actually clear and real about our state-of-affairs.
I've found the Times moving more to right, and I'm sure it's to placate large advertisers and wealthy customers (the ones that actually read about homes and apartments selling in the millions of dollars). Reader comments may not be used (censored) due to content that just sounds crazy (too much like Sweden or Finland). Sad.
Bittman says what we are doing is violence towards our fellow man and woman. True. He says we should be ashamed. True. He says we are damning millions of fellow Americans to terrible lives and that this is intolerable. Yes, of course. I am an optimist and agree with him it is fixable, but I would add that 'market forces' are part of that. Taxation on the wealthiest is a very big part of saving this country. We cannot be strong with such inequality. Common citizens waking up and getting involved politically, seeing a path towards the end of the ghetto and moving that way, and learning that love is greater than greed is mandatory. We can have a great country and world. But, we have to have more communication from people like Bittman. And, more importantly, we need to listen to our better angels and become just that.
I've found the Times moving more to right, and I'm sure it's to placate large advertisers and wealthy customers (the ones that actually read about homes and apartments selling in the millions of dollars). Reader comments may not be used (censored) due to content that just sounds crazy (too much like Sweden or Finland). Sad.
Bittman says what we are doing is violence towards our fellow man and woman. True. He says we should be ashamed. True. He says we are damning millions of fellow Americans to terrible lives and that this is intolerable. Yes, of course. I am an optimist and agree with him it is fixable, but I would add that 'market forces' are part of that. Taxation on the wealthiest is a very big part of saving this country. We cannot be strong with such inequality. Common citizens waking up and getting involved politically, seeing a path towards the end of the ghetto and moving that way, and learning that love is greater than greed is mandatory. We can have a great country and world. But, we have to have more communication from people like Bittman. And, more importantly, we need to listen to our better angels and become just that.
9
If the lefty liberal NYT is too "conservative" for you, you are really out of step with virtually all of the rest of your nation. Maybe it's time to emigrate to Sweden? I am sure they will be delighted to have you.
BTW: I read paeans to Scandinavian socialism on a daily basis here -- it certainly is NOT being censored or even questioned.
BTW: I read paeans to Scandinavian socialism on a daily basis here -- it certainly is NOT being censored or even questioned.
So if racism and poverty were eliminated Americans would suddenly start eating healthier?
I believe it was Plato who said that people make poor choices only out of ignorance (or necessity), and all that is necessary is to show them what is right, and they will choose correctly. I think Plato and Mr. Bittman are both mistaken: America may be the only country that treasures ignorance as a virtue.
I believe it was Plato who said that people make poor choices only out of ignorance (or necessity), and all that is necessary is to show them what is right, and they will choose correctly. I think Plato and Mr. Bittman are both mistaken: America may be the only country that treasures ignorance as a virtue.
18
So you're saying the poor are just ignorant? That they like being that way?
To those who believe that obesity has nothing to do with poverty, visit your local ghetto supermarket and check out the unhealthy options, It's not taste, its marekting and sales promotion.
3
It sells dry beans and rice, healthy and economical. From France, you probably don't know this.
If people prefer to buy junk, it's their fault.
Perhaps the schools should go back to teaching home economics, but every Mexican peasant wife knows how to make healthy cheap meals from beans, rice, and corn meal.
If people prefer to buy junk, it's their fault.
Perhaps the schools should go back to teaching home economics, but every Mexican peasant wife knows how to make healthy cheap meals from beans, rice, and corn meal.
4
Yeah, you must see a lot of ghetto supermarkets in FRANCE.
I actually live in the US, and in an inner ring suburb bordering an old, dying Rustbelt city. The slums are a short distance. I actually go into those supermarkets and bodegas (and farmers markets, too) in the city. I know what is for sale. It's not great, but it is not the food desert often claimed -- they sell fruits and vegetables. They sell organic food. They sell many healthy options (beans, brown rice, canned tomatoes, yogurt, oatmeal) but people PREFER to eat Doritos and Spam and candy, washed down with sugary soda pop.
My suburban supermarket has unhealthy options too. And believe me, even rich people are buying Doritos and candy (maybe not Spam). This problem is much more complex and layered than presented here. Poor people struggle with lack of education (thanks, teacher's union!) and a culture that encourages poor choices. They also don't have the financial ability to pull themselves back from disaster or make up for bad choices. But it doesn't have as much to do with their local supermarket as you allege.
I actually live in the US, and in an inner ring suburb bordering an old, dying Rustbelt city. The slums are a short distance. I actually go into those supermarkets and bodegas (and farmers markets, too) in the city. I know what is for sale. It's not great, but it is not the food desert often claimed -- they sell fruits and vegetables. They sell organic food. They sell many healthy options (beans, brown rice, canned tomatoes, yogurt, oatmeal) but people PREFER to eat Doritos and Spam and candy, washed down with sugary soda pop.
My suburban supermarket has unhealthy options too. And believe me, even rich people are buying Doritos and candy (maybe not Spam). This problem is much more complex and layered than presented here. Poor people struggle with lack of education (thanks, teacher's union!) and a culture that encourages poor choices. They also don't have the financial ability to pull themselves back from disaster or make up for bad choices. But it doesn't have as much to do with their local supermarket as you allege.
5
At the same local ghetto supermarket and check out
the contents of the shopping carts to ascertain
the healthy choices of people of color.
the contents of the shopping carts to ascertain
the healthy choices of people of color.
1
To paraphrase Bittman...lack of education is the result of lack of funding for schools. How can he be so wrong, so - and I'm sorry to say this - so ignorant and still be allowed to rant every Wednesday about subjects on which he's clueless? Do some homework, Mark, and check out per capita spending on secondary education generally and in Baltimore specifically. Yes, the schools are a mess and yes, lack of education is a monster problem, but no one other than the most myopic progressive can suggest that funding is the problem.
31
I taught a short stint in inner city school, and it was heartbreakingly difficult compared to other schools, and all the teachers were very educated, and were heartbreakingly dedicated. There was money and resources, even a sense of camaraderie among the teachers.
The students caused the problems. I would like to emphasize, only some, maybe twenty percent. I devoted my attention away from teaching to getting the students through the period without violence and turmoil (never achieved) .
This doesn't happen in other schools.
These twenty percent need to be removed from the classroom so the others have a chance at education, a chance at life.
Teachers say the behaviour stems from the home environment, so it's not the students' fault, but the school needs to break the cycle. These disruptive kids aren't getting an education anyway, why let them destroy everyone else's education. Guaranteed, if you put these fifteen or twenty kids in the best classroom in the state, say Westfield or Plainsboro, no education would take place. I say, put them in a special class of their own. For the ones who are simply bad, give them F until they behave.
The students caused the problems. I would like to emphasize, only some, maybe twenty percent. I devoted my attention away from teaching to getting the students through the period without violence and turmoil (never achieved) .
This doesn't happen in other schools.
These twenty percent need to be removed from the classroom so the others have a chance at education, a chance at life.
Teachers say the behaviour stems from the home environment, so it's not the students' fault, but the school needs to break the cycle. These disruptive kids aren't getting an education anyway, why let them destroy everyone else's education. Guaranteed, if you put these fifteen or twenty kids in the best classroom in the state, say Westfield or Plainsboro, no education would take place. I say, put them in a special class of their own. For the ones who are simply bad, give them F until they behave.
3
Except that is not what he said. Mr. Bittman is calling for equal education, *not* for spending.
Before you accuse him of ignorance, try reading without your knee jerk interpretations in place.
Yes, we have thrown money at the unequal education problem, getting most of it to the pockets of the education bureaucracy, for profit charter school companies and the like.
I don't think he's advocating more of that.
He seems to be saying that we can do better.
I would think even the most myopic conservative could see that.
Before you accuse him of ignorance, try reading without your knee jerk interpretations in place.
Yes, we have thrown money at the unequal education problem, getting most of it to the pockets of the education bureaucracy, for profit charter school companies and the like.
I don't think he's advocating more of that.
He seems to be saying that we can do better.
I would think even the most myopic conservative could see that.
1
I have a second idea about education: testing is needed and it's a good idea.
My short stint in teaching inner city school (roughly half a year) was enough to convince me that students were getting B's for what would earn them F is highly ranked schools.
The students will flunk when they reach college and then it is too late.
Teachers don't want testing because they think they will be blamed and they shouldn't be!! Blame the students. Or if that's wrong, how about, don't blame anyone?
Students should receive a passing grade when they reach a certain level. Until then, they get a DNP (Did not pass) and teachers present the material again.
This is the same system people use for karate lessons or piano lessons, and it makes sense and works well. If you want to get a certificate that shows you mastered the skill, you have to actually master it. No one blames the karate teacher for those students who don't earn a black belt, but the student is always allowed to try again
There was a chemistry teacher at the inner city school under fire for giving F's. Well, the parents complained and eventually all the students got passing grades. (This actually happened the year before I got there, but I heard about it and read about it.) The day of reckoning for these students will come in college. The students should have repeated the course, while they were young and the process relatively painless. No one did them any favors.
My short stint in teaching inner city school (roughly half a year) was enough to convince me that students were getting B's for what would earn them F is highly ranked schools.
The students will flunk when they reach college and then it is too late.
Teachers don't want testing because they think they will be blamed and they shouldn't be!! Blame the students. Or if that's wrong, how about, don't blame anyone?
Students should receive a passing grade when they reach a certain level. Until then, they get a DNP (Did not pass) and teachers present the material again.
This is the same system people use for karate lessons or piano lessons, and it makes sense and works well. If you want to get a certificate that shows you mastered the skill, you have to actually master it. No one blames the karate teacher for those students who don't earn a black belt, but the student is always allowed to try again
There was a chemistry teacher at the inner city school under fire for giving F's. Well, the parents complained and eventually all the students got passing grades. (This actually happened the year before I got there, but I heard about it and read about it.) The day of reckoning for these students will come in college. The students should have repeated the course, while they were young and the process relatively painless. No one did them any favors.
17
In the Christian imagination, the world ends, sheep are gathered to one end of the universe, goats to the other. God's first words, his very first, are issued to the goats:
"I was hungry and you gave me no food."
And to the sheep:
"I was hungry and you fed me."
Christians know that God the judge looks first at hunger, then at my response to it. Then, God issues his irreversible verdict.
It would be interesting if we were a Christian nation, wouldn't it?
"I was hungry and you gave me no food."
And to the sheep:
"I was hungry and you fed me."
Christians know that God the judge looks first at hunger, then at my response to it. Then, God issues his irreversible verdict.
It would be interesting if we were a Christian nation, wouldn't it?
5
we are a christian nation....I know it just doesn't seem like we do christ like things.
when I was 12 I noticed no black people in my church, I already knew something wasn't right.
That was only 63 year ago...not much changed.
when I was 12 I noticed no black people in my church, I already knew something wasn't right.
That was only 63 year ago...not much changed.
This and observations like it set the table. Now its time for servings of innovative policy. Throwing more "food" in the frig by way of merely adding funding to existing programs (urban housing, larger school budgets, so on) doesn't seem to be working. Let's talk more about the roots of the problem (entrenched dysfunction in at-risk households, an ignorant and thus indifferent broader public, voter skepticism over leadership's commitment). My sense is that turnaround will start with more honestly dealing with these.
14
Great piece! When I was a CPS worker in Oakland various organizations donated turkeys to poor families at Thanksgiving. I was charged with delivering the turkey to one of my families. Since I love to discuss food, I asked the mom how she prepares a roast turkey. She had no idea how to do it. The poor bird simply would have rotted in her refrigerator. I sat down and wrote detailed instructions for roasting the bird with sage stuffing. We went to a grocery store and obtained all the ingredients and I left her to the task. Two days later I was invited over as they had saved me a plate. The results were great. Even better, the joy and pride she and her children demonstrated was the best reward I could have received. Of course, spending that kind of time with a poor client was not in my job description and I was told never to do it again! But I believe that this kind of hands-on support and a trusting mentor relationship are the key to actually helping and changing families in trouble.
245
"I was told to never to do it again!". That is the biggest problem of all!
3
This was nice of you but doesn't everyone know how to cook? It does not have to be passed down by one's mother or grand-mother. It's something people do so they can feed themselves. Unless one relies on meals from fast food restaurants.
I am amazed at the ignorance of people.
I am amazed at the ignorance of people.
1
What a great point! The impoverished are often quite mobile--moving often for the next "first month free" rent offer or one step ahead of eviction. The on-the-move life doesn't allow for luxuries like roasting pans, stock pots and slow cookers. It's been demonstrated that, even in areas that have grocery stores, poor people will choose prepared foods because they (or their homes) aren't equipped for the simplest preparation. A NYT article earlier this week pinned the blame on "nutrition education," a conclusion that completely misses the mark, to my observations.
1
Outstanding, Mr. Bittman. I am going to steal your line "Death by a thousand cuts" because it truly hits the nail on the head describing racism in this country. One thing you forgot to mention as a food guy, the lack of stores in inner cities that even sell the healthy food. Yet one more cut.
87
The whole "food desert" theory was totally debunked. Urban areas are full of supermarkets and even farmer markets.
I used to live in Oakland. They have many fresh markets around the city. They have an outstanding Food Co-op where poor people can get discounted food if they work a few hours for the co-op. They have loads of supermarkets and bodegas -- they have chain stores that sell all types of food.
The reality is the people -- armed with lots of free Food Stamps -- are making awful choices out of ignorance and laziness. Giving them MORE freebies will just make the problem worse. It is time to restrict the SNAP program -- exactly as the WIC program that everyone approves of! -- to only healthy foods.
I used to live in Oakland. They have many fresh markets around the city. They have an outstanding Food Co-op where poor people can get discounted food if they work a few hours for the co-op. They have loads of supermarkets and bodegas -- they have chain stores that sell all types of food.
The reality is the people -- armed with lots of free Food Stamps -- are making awful choices out of ignorance and laziness. Giving them MORE freebies will just make the problem worse. It is time to restrict the SNAP program -- exactly as the WIC program that everyone approves of! -- to only healthy foods.
Two points I feel need to be made.
First, i can only speak to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, but in the inner city parts of both of these cities, there are numerous healthy choice markets within a 15 minute bus ride or a 30 minute walk of pretty much any part of the city. There are also numerous unhealthy food choices in these and other stores, and it seems that the unhealthy choices sell better.
This leads me to my second point, it is not a question of lack of funds in many cases; I can make a healthy meal for myself for much less than the cost of a quickly preparable frozen dinner or a prepared fast food choice. It requires more time to do so, and it may not come packaged with a toy inside, but it is both healthier and less expensive,
I only recently managed to get myself off of SNAP benefits, so i have some idea of what that situation is like. I was able to spend less than I received every month and still eat quite well, by purchasing less expensive cuts of meat and fresh vegetables, some spices, and cooking them properly. If a 63 year old man can do so, anyone who is willing to learn a bit from various sources (including columns like this) can do the same.
First, i can only speak to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, but in the inner city parts of both of these cities, there are numerous healthy choice markets within a 15 minute bus ride or a 30 minute walk of pretty much any part of the city. There are also numerous unhealthy food choices in these and other stores, and it seems that the unhealthy choices sell better.
This leads me to my second point, it is not a question of lack of funds in many cases; I can make a healthy meal for myself for much less than the cost of a quickly preparable frozen dinner or a prepared fast food choice. It requires more time to do so, and it may not come packaged with a toy inside, but it is both healthier and less expensive,
I only recently managed to get myself off of SNAP benefits, so i have some idea of what that situation is like. I was able to spend less than I received every month and still eat quite well, by purchasing less expensive cuts of meat and fresh vegetables, some spices, and cooking them properly. If a 63 year old man can do so, anyone who is willing to learn a bit from various sources (including columns like this) can do the same.
Our politicians do not care about us. It's quite clear from the tenor of their comments, how their campaigns are run and who the money is from that the interests of working Americans are not on their minds. They care about satisfying their donors, keeping big business happy, and having a good job to walk into once they leave office. I have yet to see one piece of legislation passed that actually helps the average American have a better life. In the last 10 years SCOTUS has stripped us of our rights in the workplace and in daily life. In encounters with law enforcement we are presumed to be guilty. Our elected officials ignore us because we don't give them enough money to pay attention to us. Even with the ACA in effect medical care is not affordable or truly accessible if we need care outside of our "catchment" area or in it.
America has, since Reagan was president, become a country that no longer serves its citizens. It serves the food industry, big pharma, defense, fossil fuel, and other industries but not the citizens that work and live in America. We systematically deny people aid, a decent education, safe streets to walk and drive, green space, etc. In short, America does not have a government that is by, for, and of the people. We have done this to ourselves. We believed people who told us that government is bad. These same people have made it worse. And we now have nothing.
America has, since Reagan was president, become a country that no longer serves its citizens. It serves the food industry, big pharma, defense, fossil fuel, and other industries but not the citizens that work and live in America. We systematically deny people aid, a decent education, safe streets to walk and drive, green space, etc. In short, America does not have a government that is by, for, and of the people. We have done this to ourselves. We believed people who told us that government is bad. These same people have made it worse. And we now have nothing.
159
We deny people who want to live in upscale areas (*such as Westchester NY) the right to live in places they cannot really afford, or face the consequences of poor choices. The horror; the horror.
We have problems, but you have grossly misstated them. We don't deny people aid and spent a vast sum yearly on entitlements like welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, Section 8. We spend more per child on education than any other nation. We offer EVERY CHILD a 100% free education from kindergarten through grade 12. Our emergency rooms by law cannot turn away patient, regardless of ability to pay.
Think again about what your REAL problem is. Sometimes it is in the mirror.
We have problems, but you have grossly misstated them. We don't deny people aid and spent a vast sum yearly on entitlements like welfare, food stamps, Medicaid, Section 8. We spend more per child on education than any other nation. We offer EVERY CHILD a 100% free education from kindergarten through grade 12. Our emergency rooms by law cannot turn away patient, regardless of ability to pay.
Think again about what your REAL problem is. Sometimes it is in the mirror.
@The only hope I have for the U.S. is people like yourself, who understand what has happened to us. Judging from the many blog comments I read, such awareness is increasing. That's the good news. The bad news is that so many continue to support those who created our plutocracy, Republicans with majorities on the Supreme Court and in The Congress.
I think the ACA has helped millions to have better lives.
1
Woe. I mean, wow.
Connecting the happenings in Baltimore (a City where the Mayor, the prosecutor, the police chief are black - and 3 of the 6 arresting officers are black) to "institutionalized racism" is a stretch. And then to connect that to bad eating habits is a further stretch.
But then I thought about the videos of people breaking into the CVS pharmacy - and the bad food choices that were available there, as well as at corner stores, leaving looters to choose between Werther's candies and Reese's Pieces. It would have been far better for them to be looting fruits and vegetables.
I am left to wonder how Mr. Bittman would explain the killing of the 2 officers in Hattiesburg last weekend. Or the two NYC officers killed in Brooklyn a few months ago. Could a handful of healthy snacks, offered to the shooters, have saved the lives of the officers? Should the police keep a mini-fridge in their squad cars?
Bittman does have a point - inner-city minorities would benefit from better food choices - but, he should add that they would also benefit from better music choices (as well as many other choices - such as having children in single-parent situations). Listening to a Jay Z song which contains 39 references to the n-word is not going to enhance the self-respect that is the beginning of the process.
In order to change bad habits - on the food front or otherwise - it's necessary to understand - and describe accurately - the bad habits and the corrections to be implemented.
Connecting the happenings in Baltimore (a City where the Mayor, the prosecutor, the police chief are black - and 3 of the 6 arresting officers are black) to "institutionalized racism" is a stretch. And then to connect that to bad eating habits is a further stretch.
But then I thought about the videos of people breaking into the CVS pharmacy - and the bad food choices that were available there, as well as at corner stores, leaving looters to choose between Werther's candies and Reese's Pieces. It would have been far better for them to be looting fruits and vegetables.
I am left to wonder how Mr. Bittman would explain the killing of the 2 officers in Hattiesburg last weekend. Or the two NYC officers killed in Brooklyn a few months ago. Could a handful of healthy snacks, offered to the shooters, have saved the lives of the officers? Should the police keep a mini-fridge in their squad cars?
Bittman does have a point - inner-city minorities would benefit from better food choices - but, he should add that they would also benefit from better music choices (as well as many other choices - such as having children in single-parent situations). Listening to a Jay Z song which contains 39 references to the n-word is not going to enhance the self-respect that is the beginning of the process.
In order to change bad habits - on the food front or otherwise - it's necessary to understand - and describe accurately - the bad habits and the corrections to be implemented.
27
Okay then Alex. It's a bad habit to post ignorant narrow -minded, racist views in public forums. The correction to be implemented is "cease and desist from doing it."
4
Is there a better country in the world than America for people of all colors? I think not, stop with the poor me whining and take responsibility for yourself. Telling folks that they are nothing but a victim does nothing for them other than eliminate hope, without hope people have no chance. Please stop with this. As for the police, sure ther are a few bad people in every profession but who would suffer the most if there were no cops? Minorities would, they should thank the good cops everyday for putting their lives on the line to protect them. Come on, let's get real.
15
and stop advocating diets that most Americans can't afford in addition to access. think about the inefficiencies of the agriculture you support and why its products cost so much
6
Unfortunately, we no longer live in a world where the lives of the rich intersect with those of the poor. Politicians spend more time on jets and at fundraisers than they do touring their own localities. The fact that so many children are growing up in poverty, meaning that when school is out for the summer they may not eat, is appalling. What is even more so is the legacy of "the thousand points of light," i.e. that it is ok for government to ignore poverty and leave it to individuals, and that individuals can choose to leave it to the churches. It is not ok, it is appalling, for any one of us to ignore the needs of our community; we own this, whether we like it or not. Unfortunately, we have allowed rappers, movie stars, reality show stars, sports figures and business moguls to become obscenely rich; even more unfortunate, we have allowed them to not only ignore the poor, but to model undesirable and unattainable behaviors and lifestyle. That is not the American dream, but the American nightmare, modeling excessive consumption, self-absorption, indifference to others, and most of all violence in all kinds of media. Education? How can education compete with our culture? And how can we educate when children come to school tired, hungry and distracted? I have watched this fight for justice my whole life; unfortunately, we have been back-sliding for the past 15 years!
23
The impression that white police officers and white civilian are waging a war on black males is a creation of unbalanced news reporting and columnists like Mark Bittman. The truth is that blacks are quicker than whites on the interracial trigger finger. The FBI Uniform Crime Report (Expanded Homicide Data Table 6) shows that 409 blacks murdered whites while 189 whites (including Hispanics) murdered blacks in 2013. Blacks make up only 13 percent of the population, but commit about 68 percent of interracial murders. Black also commit more than 50 percent of all murders. The FBI data shows that 6,454 blacks committed murders while 5,855 whites (including Hispanics) committed murders in 2013. After the Michael Brown shooting, USA Today, reported, “Nearly two times a week in the United States, a white police officer killed a black person during a seven-year period ending in 2012, according to the most recent accounts of justifiable homicide reported to the FBI. On average, there were 96 such incidents among at least 400 police killings each year that were reported to the FBI by local police.” This means that about 24 percent of those killed by white police officers are black. USA Today could have reported that “Nearly five times a week in the United States, a white police officer killed a white person,” but white lives don’t matter as much as black lives when it comes to generating headlines.
19
And white police are quicker on the trigger finger in shooting blacks than black policemen. Not only are they quicker on the trigger finger in shooting unarmed innocent blacks, but white policemen are the objects of most police brutality investigations for mistreatment of blacks, innocent or guilty of police suspicions. To deny that racism plays a part in the white police relationship with the black community, against the evidence of almost a century, reveals ignorance of the FBI's own reports concluding otherwise.
4
Yes and that is why you don't see the likes of sharpton and his ilk parading and protesting when there is black on black crime. Remember one thing, the press loves to fan the flames of racism and turns silent when blacks kill other blacks. Sells a lot of toilet paper though.
3
I dont care for Sharpton, but he and other black leaders have spoken out against gansta rap which glorifies violence. However, there is a difference between black on black crime -- and crime committed by police officers.
2
The relationship between an impoverished class to affluent and wealthy classes reflect the rules that maintain a stable order of inequality; a windfall, an inherited wealth or government welfare, simply consumed, doesn't end poverty. In fact consumption sustains class inequality. It politically justifies the inequality in the idea that the poor are nouveau pauvre, recklessly incorrigible, immoral spendthrifts, found in both socialist and free-market societies. Feeding the impoverished class, however, requires bringing it into the employment game (or, if you prefer, providing the means to generate wealth from unconsumed income). Anyone earning less than $25,000.00 a year (our official poverty definition) ought to receive free housing, a food allowance, free education and free medical and health services while they are either in career or job training programs or working in a tax reported business for themselves or for an organization. Much of the criticism of welfare cash payment to the poor is that the income supplement is mispent and wasted, or that it is not enough to provide a healthy life for dependent children. Well, don't give cash. Give the poor the basic things instead that the poor at risk for homelessness, hunger and medical needs, cannot mispend or squander. Let the poor earn their own disposable income. Providing basic essentials of life is the way to shield children from the injuries and vulnerabilities of generational poverty.
3
Free housing, free food, free education and free welfare.............Who is footing the bill? There aren't enough 1%'ers to pay that. Get your head out of the clouds. What you are asking for is pure fantasy. There is no such thing as a free lunch, someone always ends up paying for it usually the taxpayer and that includes the working poor because 47% of this country PAYS NO TAXES.
3
Initiatives in other countries, as reported by Vikas Bajaj in "What If We Just Gave the Poor Money?" (NYT Taking Note 10-25-13), show that it is probably far more effective just to give the poor cash grants and let them decide how to spend the money. One advantage of that approach for conservatives: no new or enlarged government assistance programs required. But something so simple can't work, right?
1
Plenty of money for trillion dollar wars, plenty of money for trillion dollar bank bail outs - -but not enough money to feed and house the poor. Sure.
7
Rght on as usual, Bittman. As aside, the millions Chicago is paying in victim reparation is our (taxpayers) money - yours and mine folks - for economic reasons alone a sign we must strongly object to a system that cannot eliminate the immoral and/or cognitively impaired from the hiring system of public servants. If these public servants were assured their improper behavior would lead to firing I think we would see increased equity.
6
Yes, indeed, it's fixable, as you point out, but not without a complete turn-around on the part of the elites, the .01%ters, the owners of America.
Convince them that inequality will eventually send them running in fear from the pitchfork wielding masses, and maybe, just maybe, they will see the light, before it's too late.
Convince them that inequality will eventually send them running in fear from the pitchfork wielding masses, and maybe, just maybe, they will see the light, before it's too late.
11
Thank you so much for writing this, Mr. Bittman. Please keep using your platform as NY Times columnist to shout this message repeatedly, loudly, vociferously.
7
We are supposed to love one another the same as ourselves. This is held as the ideal, but seen as an unreachable one by many. Frankly, it is the ONLY practical solution to all our problems in the world today.
6
“How do you help people eat well when they can’t afford food?”
Perhaps a better question would be, "How can you help people eat well when they have children that they can't afford"
We don't encourage people to move into mansions on a McDonald's salary. We don't offer auto loans for Bugattis to minimum wage employees. We don't sell Brooks Brother suits to garbage collectors.
Yet, there seems to be no opprobrium associated with creating a hundred thousand dollar responsibility or two or three while being unmarried and unemployed.
Fix that and food suddenly becomes affordable.
26
"...when they have children that they can't afford" - as if that's always a choice! Pretty arrogant. That will be hard to fix considering the recent war on kids, women, and education. There's no support for funding sex education or birth control by the very same parties that expect infants to pull themselves up by their bootstraps as soon as they exit the birth canal.
11
Are you also against free contraception, abortion on demand and sex education in the schools?
7
So not only should poor people only live in bad, polluted neighborhoods and have terrible public transportation and terrible education and not enough food and not enough good shoes or warmth, they should not even be allowed to have children.
8
Thank you for a thoughtful and insightful column. There is much work to do and we need recognition of the problems followed by intense strategizing by all of us in order to make necessary changes.
1
This is La La land. In reality, if we get a republican president, he will:
Decrease taxes on wealthy, deregulate environment protections, reduce food stamps and social security, loosen gun restrictions and on.
What planet are you on today?
Decrease taxes on wealthy, deregulate environment protections, reduce food stamps and social security, loosen gun restrictions and on.
What planet are you on today?
11
And when Obama had the majority in both houses was there any meaningful legislation by way of tax reform on the rich? Yeah thought so.
6
The first two years that W. Bush was in office; What did he accomplish?
The Enron debacle, over a hundred closed doors meetings in the Oval Office, price fixing electrical and utilities rates with industry insiders on the west coast who were " the smartest guys in the room"
Oh yeah, and allowing or setting the stage for 9/11, the worst attack on U.S. soil, and starting the most useless futile war in Afghanistan, which is still going on, accomplishing what?
The Enron debacle, over a hundred closed doors meetings in the Oval Office, price fixing electrical and utilities rates with industry insiders on the west coast who were " the smartest guys in the room"
Oh yeah, and allowing or setting the stage for 9/11, the worst attack on U.S. soil, and starting the most useless futile war in Afghanistan, which is still going on, accomplishing what?
2
"The good news is that it’s fixable, not by “market forces” but by policies that fund equal education, good-paying jobs, and a good food, health and well-being program for all Americans."
Amen. A good beginning is to "de-privatize" all government services and fund government-run work forces rebuilding infrastructure, while paying decent wages. We did this before and it worked very well with the TVA and the Boulder Dam. We need to stop the profiteers of private industry and Wall Street financiers from using government projects and services to make obscene profits. Only a President Bernie Sanders will make this possible.
Amen. A good beginning is to "de-privatize" all government services and fund government-run work forces rebuilding infrastructure, while paying decent wages. We did this before and it worked very well with the TVA and the Boulder Dam. We need to stop the profiteers of private industry and Wall Street financiers from using government projects and services to make obscene profits. Only a President Bernie Sanders will make this possible.
13
You will never again see the likes of the WPA or the TVA, one glaring reason is unions. They would demand that all work done would have to be done by union workers so what once was a wonderful plan put into motion so many years ago is but a pipe dream now.
3
Yes workers want living wages - -and that means union.
2
Do you realize that those WPA jobs paid way under minimum wage? I mean "under the minim wage of the 30s", which was REALLY low -- 25 cents an hour.
You couldn't do it today, because those jobs were often hard physical work and people today are super-lazy. What? no big screen HDTV? no internet? no video games? I'd love to see you sell urban poor kids on taking logging jobs in the Northwest. Guffaw!
You couldn't do it today, because those jobs were often hard physical work and people today are super-lazy. What? no big screen HDTV? no internet? no video games? I'd love to see you sell urban poor kids on taking logging jobs in the Northwest. Guffaw!
Poverty is often used to excuse criminality among African Americans, but while African Americans are disproportionately poor, there are nearly three times as many poor whites than poor blacks. The most recent Census Bureau poverty report shows that in 2013 there were 29.9 million white Americans living below poverty level and 11 million black Americans living below poverty level. (Source: Table 3: People in Poverty by Selected Characteristics: 2012 and 2013, Income and Poverty in the United States: 2013.) Blacks make up about 27 percent of Americans living below poverty levels, but commit far more than 27 percent of crimes in virtually every category. According to FBI Uniform Crime Report (Data Table 43: Arrests), in 2013 blacks made up 38.7 percent of those arrested for violent crimes, including 52.3 percent of those arrested for murder or manslaughter and 56.4 percent of those arrested for robbery.
28
You repeat a lie long enough then finally it becomes truth, right? How many years or decades will it take before America wakes up and utterly reject the so called conservative whacks-a-mole ideas and platitudes.
2
It makes a better narrative and a better "guilt trip" if you can blame all economic differences on skin color -- and assume "everyone white is RICH!" and "everyone poor is BLACK!".
This was never true. As you correctly state, most poor people and most welfare recipients are WHITE.
The difference is that most black poverty is urban, and most white poverty is rural (not all, but most). Most lefty liberals live in large metropolitan areas, where they claim the nicest places to live for themselves -- whether suburban gated community of McMansions or urban hipster area. As such, the poverty they see IS black and urban. Since they never set foot in "flyover country", they have no inkling what life is like there for tens of millions of Americans (whom they despise, as "low information voters" who won't sign onto the lefty liberal agenda).
This was never true. As you correctly state, most poor people and most welfare recipients are WHITE.
The difference is that most black poverty is urban, and most white poverty is rural (not all, but most). Most lefty liberals live in large metropolitan areas, where they claim the nicest places to live for themselves -- whether suburban gated community of McMansions or urban hipster area. As such, the poverty they see IS black and urban. Since they never set foot in "flyover country", they have no inkling what life is like there for tens of millions of Americans (whom they despise, as "low information voters" who won't sign onto the lefty liberal agenda).
3
What are you trying to say?
If you have to declare a logic "irrefutable", it isn't. The author cites the bad neighborhood-school-education-job cycle as tautological; no debate or even questioning required.
But why do we equate "low paying" jobs, with "bad" jobs? Denigration of low-paying work is the primary cause of the problems the author seeks to solve.
Before rushing to legislate a solution, let's look at ourselves. Not long ago, when asked what they do for a living, one could answer "I drive a bus" or "I'm a janitor" with confidence and dignity. These jobs were "honest work" and were treated with respect.
Now society calls them "bad jobs" and dismisses anyone who does them as a failure. When people who work in these jobs live in neighborhoods with more accessible property prices , these become "bad neighborhoods".
If society called you a failure and insulted where you live, mightn't you feel a bit disillusioned? It is this disenfranchisement that creates truly "bad neighborhoods" - which are defined by the level of lawlessness and disorder, not level of income.
It is no surprise that immigrants from cultures where "honest work" is respected, often believe most strongly in the American dream. The history of the success of the US is their story.
Treat people with respect and they'll behave with dignity.
As for food, people around the world with much less money than the poorest Americans live much healthier lives. Lentils, rice and basic vegetables are cheap, and going for a walk is free.
But why do we equate "low paying" jobs, with "bad" jobs? Denigration of low-paying work is the primary cause of the problems the author seeks to solve.
Before rushing to legislate a solution, let's look at ourselves. Not long ago, when asked what they do for a living, one could answer "I drive a bus" or "I'm a janitor" with confidence and dignity. These jobs were "honest work" and were treated with respect.
Now society calls them "bad jobs" and dismisses anyone who does them as a failure. When people who work in these jobs live in neighborhoods with more accessible property prices , these become "bad neighborhoods".
If society called you a failure and insulted where you live, mightn't you feel a bit disillusioned? It is this disenfranchisement that creates truly "bad neighborhoods" - which are defined by the level of lawlessness and disorder, not level of income.
It is no surprise that immigrants from cultures where "honest work" is respected, often believe most strongly in the American dream. The history of the success of the US is their story.
Treat people with respect and they'll behave with dignity.
As for food, people around the world with much less money than the poorest Americans live much healthier lives. Lentils, rice and basic vegetables are cheap, and going for a walk is free.
71
We call them "bad jobs" because they don't pay enough to live on and that's bad. It's pretty simple, if corpoartions and sometimes government pay people enough to support themselves and their families and subsume the profit motive for the public good, many, not all, of these problems will disaoppear. To some extent the downward slide in wages over the last 40 years is the problem not race or bad neighborhoods.
6
Please, Matt . . . are you British or an American in London?
Bus driver and janitor are honorable jobs. That's not the point. Jobs have become "bad" because there is no security, no health care, not enough money to rise above poverty.
As to immigrants: Your point is both romantic and no longer true. The hard-working immigrant story was once accompanied by a living wage and decent benefits. Last night on PBS a report on Afghan immigrants who served as translators for the American military, told the current story. They should be treated like veterans (which is not so good these days either). But these hard-working immigrants, who are willing to take any work at all, can't make enough money to rent a modest apartment and feed their children. They are fleeing our "great" country to go back to the war-riddled Afghanistan, where their prospects look brighter. That's the truth of the American dream in 2015.
Bus driver and janitor are honorable jobs. That's not the point. Jobs have become "bad" because there is no security, no health care, not enough money to rise above poverty.
As to immigrants: Your point is both romantic and no longer true. The hard-working immigrant story was once accompanied by a living wage and decent benefits. Last night on PBS a report on Afghan immigrants who served as translators for the American military, told the current story. They should be treated like veterans (which is not so good these days either). But these hard-working immigrants, who are willing to take any work at all, can't make enough money to rent a modest apartment and feed their children. They are fleeing our "great" country to go back to the war-riddled Afghanistan, where their prospects look brighter. That's the truth of the American dream in 2015.
6
Matt, spend a few years working as a janitor, and try to get by on the pay you get. Then get back to us and let us know if you think it is a bad job or not.
"No debate or even questioning required"? Mr. Bittman has the right to state his opinions, for one thing. For another, sometimes a spade needs to be called a spade. The cause and effect relationships he cites do exist. There are many complex reasons that they exist, and of course they need to be questioned and debated. But there is nothing wrong in noting that they exist. If you are from a poor and neglected neighborhood, the system of school funding in the US is such that you will almost certainly go to a poor and neglected school. And since education determines pretty much everything, and one good teacher in the life of a student can make massive differences in that student's life going forward (check out the research), students at those poor and neglected schools almost certainly won't do as well in life as students in the well funded schools. And so on and so on. Yes, people have to take responsibility for themselves, but you need to understand that human beings are highly vulnerable to external and often intangible social forces. There's nothing wrong with drawing the reader's attention to those forces. Would you prefer that we all just keep quiet about them?
"No debate or even questioning required"? Mr. Bittman has the right to state his opinions, for one thing. For another, sometimes a spade needs to be called a spade. The cause and effect relationships he cites do exist. There are many complex reasons that they exist, and of course they need to be questioned and debated. But there is nothing wrong in noting that they exist. If you are from a poor and neglected neighborhood, the system of school funding in the US is such that you will almost certainly go to a poor and neglected school. And since education determines pretty much everything, and one good teacher in the life of a student can make massive differences in that student's life going forward (check out the research), students at those poor and neglected schools almost certainly won't do as well in life as students in the well funded schools. And so on and so on. Yes, people have to take responsibility for themselves, but you need to understand that human beings are highly vulnerable to external and often intangible social forces. There's nothing wrong with drawing the reader's attention to those forces. Would you prefer that we all just keep quiet about them?
2
"The bad news is that we should be ashamed of ourselves."
But the really bad news is that, in general, we are not.
But the really bad news is that, in general, we are not.
182
No shame, and not even for that of our treatment of Native Americans from the mid-seventeenth century to today.
4
Because we're Number 1! USA! USA!
1
I get this argument. I also get and would support more government programs to address the social and economic problems pointed out in this article. What I don't get, and I don't know if there is an answer, is where is the tipping point for taking personal responsibility for one's destiny in life. You can allocate more money to schools---to fix buildings, smaller class sizes, purchase technology, hire more qualified teachers---but at one point does all these supports translate
in taking personal responsibility for showing up to school everyday, paying
attention in class, doing homework, and studying. I understand the argument that living in poverty systematically erodes the feeling of personal control over one's future, but at the same time, I question whether our traditional liberal approaches to the problem are enabling or eroding taking responsibility for one's future.
in taking personal responsibility for showing up to school everyday, paying
attention in class, doing homework, and studying. I understand the argument that living in poverty systematically erodes the feeling of personal control over one's future, but at the same time, I question whether our traditional liberal approaches to the problem are enabling or eroding taking responsibility for one's future.
36
The problem is that over the past 50 years, we did EXACTLY these things that are suggested by lefty liberals -- we created a vast welfare state. We encouraged single women to have lots of babies and go on generational welfare. We built housing projects galore, and then when poor people destroyed them, we turned to Section 8 and gave them subsidies or free rent.
We put 15% of the population on food stamps -- double what it was in 2007! -- and that was not enough. Mr. Bittman still alleges people are "hungry". We don't restrict food stamps as we restrict the excellent WIC program -- so recipients are entirely free to spend their whole allotment on candy and soda pop and chips. And they do. (Remember many food stamp recipients are TEENAGE GIRLS with no education.)
We just put another 10 million people on 100% FREE Medicaid welfare, and have slapped the huge tax cost of that expansion on....ordinary working middle class people, who struggle to pay their own increased premiums. NOT the rich. On ordinary workers. Then we act surprised when "nobody likes the ACA".
We put 15% of the population on food stamps -- double what it was in 2007! -- and that was not enough. Mr. Bittman still alleges people are "hungry". We don't restrict food stamps as we restrict the excellent WIC program -- so recipients are entirely free to spend their whole allotment on candy and soda pop and chips. And they do. (Remember many food stamp recipients are TEENAGE GIRLS with no education.)
We just put another 10 million people on 100% FREE Medicaid welfare, and have slapped the huge tax cost of that expansion on....ordinary working middle class people, who struggle to pay their own increased premiums. NOT the rich. On ordinary workers. Then we act surprised when "nobody likes the ACA".
2
I'm don't mean to pick on this one writer, the idea of taking personal responsibility is a comforting and broadly used retort. Which part of being born poor, being born black, going to very poorly functioning schools does a child's choice enter into. If you read anything about the background of Baltimore or Ferguson, you would recognize that the oppression is so intentional that all the nutritional food in the world would only address the surface of the iceberg.
As this particular letter writer points to pogroms in Russia as proof of the ability to overcome prejudice, what I remember in the US is stories of Jews being denied admission to country clubs, not stories of being lynched.
This op ed states the obvious, which if we are to really "take responsibility" points to the culpability of almost everyone who reads these letters. Those who are born with advantage will use any excuse to deny its effect.
They don't eat right, they don't work right, they don't smell right, they don't talk right, they don't dance right and on and on, why don't THEY get their act together.
As this particular letter writer points to pogroms in Russia as proof of the ability to overcome prejudice, what I remember in the US is stories of Jews being denied admission to country clubs, not stories of being lynched.
This op ed states the obvious, which if we are to really "take responsibility" points to the culpability of almost everyone who reads these letters. Those who are born with advantage will use any excuse to deny its effect.
They don't eat right, they don't work right, they don't smell right, they don't talk right, they don't dance right and on and on, why don't THEY get their act together.
1
"The good news is that it’s fixable, not by “market forces” but by policies that fund equal education, good-paying jobs, and a good food, health and well-being program for all Americans."
You are absolutely right in that markets are not perfect and hence are not the solution to certain ills in society and we have to turn to public policy for righting them. However, ever since St. Reagan more and more Americans have been fed the mantra that government is the problem and not the solution. Cutting taxes that will always spur the economy is now taken as an article of faith. And as long as these beliefs are held by many and propagated by Faux News, Bill O'Reilley, Rush Limbaugh, Mike Huckabee and others, and as long as Obama - the evil Marxist from Kenya is POTUS - I don't think socially friendly policies will ever be enacted.
You are absolutely right in that markets are not perfect and hence are not the solution to certain ills in society and we have to turn to public policy for righting them. However, ever since St. Reagan more and more Americans have been fed the mantra that government is the problem and not the solution. Cutting taxes that will always spur the economy is now taken as an article of faith. And as long as these beliefs are held by many and propagated by Faux News, Bill O'Reilley, Rush Limbaugh, Mike Huckabee and others, and as long as Obama - the evil Marxist from Kenya is POTUS - I don't think socially friendly policies will ever be enacted.
21
Nothing ever changes until masses of people take to the streets and do so in such numbers that not even the media can continue to ignore it.
2
How much more money do you want to throw at the problem? The 'war on poverty' has been going on for over 40 years, not much improvement, yet you want to throw more money at it? How about we try something different? The old ways obviously didn't help, new ideas are needed.
1
I've felt for a long while that our problem here in the U.S. is one of values. There's a heartlessness, a remorseless sanctimony on so many people's parts that is dispiriting, and the harm caused is bottomless. As the poet Phillip Larkin said in another context, "they don't mean to but they do".
120
I liked the recent article by Orlando Patterson on this issue. There are twin problems. One, which this article points to is racism and police brutality. He says,
"It’s not just police racism. It’s about a culture of violence."
He himself is black, and a Harvard professor.
The other problem to which Patterson points is the enormous amount of lawlessness among black teenagers who pursue a culture of toughness and heartlessness. They prey mostly on the black community but occasionally outside and occasionally kill policemen.
Patterson points out that some tough laws, e.g. against drugs, were enacted with the SUPPORT of black community leaders who were fed up with their communities being preyed upon by gangs and macho young men.
Until we learn to understand that there are two problems and not just one, we will get nowhere.
It is a tragedy that neither liberals nor conservatives look at the full picture.
"It’s not just police racism. It’s about a culture of violence."
He himself is black, and a Harvard professor.
The other problem to which Patterson points is the enormous amount of lawlessness among black teenagers who pursue a culture of toughness and heartlessness. They prey mostly on the black community but occasionally outside and occasionally kill policemen.
Patterson points out that some tough laws, e.g. against drugs, were enacted with the SUPPORT of black community leaders who were fed up with their communities being preyed upon by gangs and macho young men.
Until we learn to understand that there are two problems and not just one, we will get nowhere.
It is a tragedy that neither liberals nor conservatives look at the full picture.
AMEN. In her journals, Dorothy Day was always writing that we have to build a society where it is easier to be good, and now we could add, healthy. I hope we get there.
13
Our minds frame the world in ways that show us paths we personally can take to improve the world. We see the world as: bad neighborhood means bad schools, which means bad education, etc. and that creates a path: we can change the neighborhood, we can improve the school, we can change people's education. It is actually this mode of thinking that is the heart of disparity.
We people don't deny and reward opportunities based on our assessment of a person's education. Our mind's choose to help or hinder other people based on what social cues we perceive. The closer someone appears to be someone who sees the world as we do (similar assumptions and likely to collaborate) the more we are willing to share opportunities in an equal way--the opposite is also true. We assess other people's social position and when we sense they have less social power, our brains light up differently--our minds don't perceive them as being good potential partners and in a good position to make decisions for themselves--so people who 'want to help' start thinking of ways they can change the other person's life--change how they dress, how they speak, what choices they make. All of these things ultimately are about seeing 'help' as find a way to get the person from the other social group to show the right social cues. We need to accept people as being able to partner despite their social cues. Here is a related study http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(11)00354
We people don't deny and reward opportunities based on our assessment of a person's education. Our mind's choose to help or hinder other people based on what social cues we perceive. The closer someone appears to be someone who sees the world as we do (similar assumptions and likely to collaborate) the more we are willing to share opportunities in an equal way--the opposite is also true. We assess other people's social position and when we sense they have less social power, our brains light up differently--our minds don't perceive them as being good potential partners and in a good position to make decisions for themselves--so people who 'want to help' start thinking of ways they can change the other person's life--change how they dress, how they speak, what choices they make. All of these things ultimately are about seeing 'help' as find a way to get the person from the other social group to show the right social cues. We need to accept people as being able to partner despite their social cues. Here is a related study http://www.cell.com/current-biology/abstract/S0960-9822(11)00354
2
The US obesity epidemic is still inncreasing and has nothing to do with poverty.
Look at all the wealthy, obese, in addition to the poor obese.
Look at all the wealthy, obese, in addition to the poor obese.
16
It has a lot to do with Big Food selling unhealthy choices. If stopping that is "socialism," birng it on!
6
On the contrary, in the U.S. poverty and obesity are closely correlated. The poorest counties have the highest rates of obesity, diabetes, and other related conditions such as hypertension. A simple Google search will turn up dozens of articles confirming this. Or you could take a stroll down Madison Avenue from 72nd to 59th Street and then take a walk along 125th Street between Frederick Douglass and Malcolm X (Lenox) boulevards. If you still think that obesity is equally spread among the rich and the poor, I give up.
4
What's bitter is those who don't care
Who say with their nose in the air,
"Just poor shiftless takers
From affluent makers"
They drive me to angry despair!
And all that Bittman has detailed
Is ignored or even assailed
They Facebook & Tweet
Live lives of deceit,
And slime of Rush Limbaugh is hailed.
Who say with their nose in the air,
"Just poor shiftless takers
From affluent makers"
They drive me to angry despair!
And all that Bittman has detailed
Is ignored or even assailed
They Facebook & Tweet
Live lives of deceit,
And slime of Rush Limbaugh is hailed.
172
Dear Mr. Eisenberg,
I really enjoy reading you verses. Thank you so much. They are quite clever. As one poet to another, you really tickle my beard.
I really enjoy reading you verses. Thank you so much. They are quite clever. As one poet to another, you really tickle my beard.
4
Good one, Mr. Eisenberg! I always read your limericks. Thanks!
2
This is one of your best, Larry!
1
Keep up the good work, Mark B. We've taken commercials for most tobacco products off the TV. Liquor ads are still restricted ( I hope). Some ads for fast food are an assault on reason and health.
David Letterman asked Bill Clinton yesterday why we have some American kids who are starving while others are obese. Clinton said that little separates the two groups. The very poor can't afford food. In working-poor families, food is a convenience becasue parents have neither the time nor the education to select food wisely and form good eating habits in their children,
But please, please, stop this stuff about the panacea of funding for schools... More books and labs will not empower poor parents to serve better food--or enough food.
David Letterman asked Bill Clinton yesterday why we have some American kids who are starving while others are obese. Clinton said that little separates the two groups. The very poor can't afford food. In working-poor families, food is a convenience becasue parents have neither the time nor the education to select food wisely and form good eating habits in their children,
But please, please, stop this stuff about the panacea of funding for schools... More books and labs will not empower poor parents to serve better food--or enough food.
9
Books and labs will empower the poor if properly funded and implemented.
An education system that is based on local property taxes, clearly provides an enormous bias in favor of the affluent. Start federal funding of all schools, raise teachers salaries,to encourage the best to go where they are needed. provide books and labs and see what happens in ten years or so. Free lunch wouldn't hurt either. The very affluent would still send their kids to private schools but the rest would have some of the tools that they need to get out of the poverty cycle.
An education system that is based on local property taxes, clearly provides an enormous bias in favor of the affluent. Start federal funding of all schools, raise teachers salaries,to encourage the best to go where they are needed. provide books and labs and see what happens in ten years or so. Free lunch wouldn't hurt either. The very affluent would still send their kids to private schools but the rest would have some of the tools that they need to get out of the poverty cycle.
5
Funding for schools is not, as you say, a panacea. It is, however, a pre-requisite for many other things that society values, such as an educated electorate, students who will have the option of skilled jobs rather than strictly unskilled or minimally-skilled labor, schools that offer good-tasting, healthy meals (which, studies are shown, kids WILL actually eat), and most imporant, a vision of the future for each student that includes delayed child-bearing, college, and a solid, middle-class career.
5
Down here in North-Georgia public transportation from the projects to the well paying jobs would help. Affordable childcare so mothers can work would help. Abolishing the "Right to work" law which only serves employers would help. Not putting "dead beat dads" in jail so they can NEVER catch up on that child support would help.
Reforming the justice system would really help. Here you get arrested for "looking guilty" (misdemeanor) checking in to jail they find your cigarettes in your underwear (felony) after a few weeks in jail (depending on the occupancy rate, it is a business, you know) the D.A. lets you plead guilty to the misdemeanor which you gladly do to get rid of that felony and you accept 2 years of probation. From that day on that paddy wagon follows you because most things you would normally do are now a violation of your probation. While you were in jail you lost your job, your car was repossessed, you got behind on your child support and your girl friend moved your cloth to the curb. And all that for a misdemeanor you were not guilty of.
I am in now way a proponent of unlawful conduct but the Police Departments and D.A. system have grown so big that they have to justify their existence to secure further funding so they resort to all kinds of methods to make arrests and get convictions.
This creates high crime statistics, keeps new industries with good jobs from settling here, makes insurance rates go ski high and has an adverse affect on credit rating.
Reforming the justice system would really help. Here you get arrested for "looking guilty" (misdemeanor) checking in to jail they find your cigarettes in your underwear (felony) after a few weeks in jail (depending on the occupancy rate, it is a business, you know) the D.A. lets you plead guilty to the misdemeanor which you gladly do to get rid of that felony and you accept 2 years of probation. From that day on that paddy wagon follows you because most things you would normally do are now a violation of your probation. While you were in jail you lost your job, your car was repossessed, you got behind on your child support and your girl friend moved your cloth to the curb. And all that for a misdemeanor you were not guilty of.
I am in now way a proponent of unlawful conduct but the Police Departments and D.A. system have grown so big that they have to justify their existence to secure further funding so they resort to all kinds of methods to make arrests and get convictions.
This creates high crime statistics, keeps new industries with good jobs from settling here, makes insurance rates go ski high and has an adverse affect on credit rating.
7
I'm gratified to read your remarks. I'm (a little) hopeful that more (of us) white Americans are opening their eyes, seeing the injustice (which benefits our lives), and finding it not just shameful but unacceptable. This is not the America we want it to be. And we can all take one small step every day by being aware in our interactions with black citizens to ensure that we treat them at least as friendly and fairly as we do our white neighbors.
24
Thank you, Mark, for so clearly connecting all the dots of our unjust, unequal system. If we want a society that is just, we must also have systems that are just.
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Julian Bond, the intellectual, professor, civil rights activist and one time top official of the NAACP, says that politics is the process of deciding "who gets how much of what from whom". It is essentially a process of dividing up the spoils, in our case, of a rich, successful nation.
We spend billions of dollars per year to subsidize farmers, many of whom are millionaires many times over, both by income and through the ownership of huge tracks of land. We support billions in spending for defense contractors, supplying hardware, software, goods, services and human personnel by the thousands. A vast segment of our society is supported by the enterprise of war. The govt. pays for research and development efforts, most benefiting corporations. None of these expenditures is considered extraordinary or even much questioned.
In another realm, efforts to help raise people from poverty are hotly debated. When people say they oppose "big govt.", what they often mean is they oppose those specific efforts. People blame black people for being poor and many believe "its their own fault". It is a short leap to justify arresting, jailing or shooting the poor.
Wealth and poverty are part of the same process. The riches that the top 5% reap are drawn from the bottom 95%. Without a big middle class, there would almost no wealthy, save for a few oligarchs.
What people need most in Baltimore is access to good employment. After that, they can, and will, take care of themselves.
Doug Terry