Equality vs. Justice

Sometimes I think we get equality and justice confused when working with people who are struggling  with their basic needs living in poverty.  Rules are established as one-size-fits-all though serve people in different life situations who desperately need advocacy for justice rather than equality.

This morning I was met by a woman coming into the outreach center looking for assistance with rent.

With her permission, this is her story with only her name changed:

Michelle worked for 34 years of her life as a successful chef.  She was the breadwinner in her family and lived comfortably.  Not even two years have passed since that defining day that changed everything.  While coordinating a wedding reception, she tripped backwards over a metal door track in a walk-in refrigerator onto her back.  Rather than immediately seek medical attention, she was concerned more for the bride, groom, and guests of the wedding to have the most amazing day they had dreamed of.  She dusted herself off and continued serving champagne, cutting the cake, and completed the evening as planned.  The next morning she was unable to walk.

She was diagnosed in the emergency room as having a broken tailbone.  There is no treatment nor cure besides rest and time for her tailbone to heal.  Her employer argued because there was no incident report completed at the time of her fall, they are not responsible in accepting her workman's compensation claim.  She then filed for unemployment.  34 years of contributing to unemployment from payroll taxes to then fall again, backwards, as long-term unemployment ended in December 2013.  She received an unexpected letter from unemployment dated December 28, 2013, 3 days after Christmas and 3 days from the beginning of a new month in a new year with rent due.  She has no income.

Today she has two collapsed hips from an initial misdiagnosis and surgery scheduled for next week to begin the grueling process of back-to-back hip replacements.  Her extended family is helping her to keep her lights turned on and survives by simply getting through each day with love, as she describes.  Her husband struggles with his own disabilities and love, is what allows them to live.  Love for each other, love for her life, lucky to wake up each day, and knowing love will surmount the countless challenges that await as she painfully and cautiously moves one leg and the other from the bed to the floor each morning.

She is looking forward to having the surgeries though hesitates as there will be risks involved.  She knows the alternative is to most likely drowning in poverty.  She has an unwavering belief after the surgeries and the upward battle to become physically well again, losing the 45 lbs. she has gained, she is most looking forward to going back to work again.  It has been more excruciating to be denied access to resources that she has contributed to, rather than the physical pain that she endures daily in addition to finding all of the resources for basic survival in the community when she has no money.

She is grateful for the outreach center and the food she receives, because this is all she has after her nominal amount of food stamps are spent each month.  Without the food, she doesn't know what would become of her.  She cannot afford bread, she cannot afford eggs, and she cannot afford the basics to survive every month.

Though she absolutely does have the motivation and unquestionable desire to remember and return to what she once had - stability and for now, love is her life raft and taking each day as it comes.

SO when you think about equality vs. justice, I have found this visual widely helps illustrate:



When we are given the opportunity to listen, please listen.  So many voices are unheard when empowerment and advocacy matter for those who need a little more. Equality is not always Justice.

An investigator from the current UP3 group, graduating on June 11, stopped by this morning to share how much the workshop has made her reevaluate her life.  She lives in her home with her husband, adult daughter, her daughter's boyfriend, and her 3 grandchildren.  Additionally, she chauffeurs her other adult children who live close-by to work, as far as Malvern and home with the only car they have, which consequently is having front end problems.  Prior to the workshops, she seemed apathetic towards her situation, has a history of struggling with depression and anxiety, and accepted what had become of her life.  When asked during one of the workshops what her passion is, she had no hesitation sharing her life's dreams though putting herself first with an ailing mother in addition to all of her other responsibilities caring for her children and grandchildren has become an immense strain.  Today when she was talking of the group, she had a glow for which I had not ever seen.  She was alive in her animation of describing what she wants her future plan to look like and that includes setting a date with her husband as to when her adult daughter and family need to move from dependence to productive self-sufficiency; to quote the mission of the outreach center.   She is excited but tentative as the formal workshops are coming to an end on Tuesday, June 3.

We have spent every week together since February, at times two times a week, and have shared intimate details of our lives with one another.  We are a family.  It reminds me of Mother Theresa's quote:

" There is so much suffering in the world - physical, material, mental.  The suffering of some can be blamed on the greed of others.  The material and physical suffering is suffering from hunger, from homelessness, from all kinds of diseases.  But the greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, having no one.  I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience."

Social resources are explored in the workshops and for the majority at the table, people in their
"inner circle" are limited.  Relationships are important, though most often with people also struggling to survive and rarely with those who are able to help "get ahead," who aren't paid (professionals).

When I asked the group earlier this week, "What will you miss the most?," the woman speaking above said she will simply miss just being with adults who genuinely do not want to live in poverty and talk about being stuck despite all of the tireless efforts for a better, more stable life.  Another woman shared prior to participating in the group, she thought everyone received food stamps and never knew there was any other way to live.  Another shared, prior to the group, she would come home after taking her kids to school everyday and take a nap.  Now she awakens at 5:30am to start her day with a new-found gratitude for life and feeling powerful.  Another participant resonated with the previous sentiments and added his apartment feels like a jail at times and is thankful to come to participate and be productive. 

UP3 empowers people. Period.

"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will."

- Karim Seddiki

This morning I had a conversation with a UP3 graduate who shared with me she needed to purchase a refrigerator for her household and thought of the predatory "lending" that occurs with people living in poverty, stuck in the "tyranny of the moment," and refused to "purchase" a refrigerator from Rent-A-Center.  She recalled the exploitation of such business practices and chose to purchase outright, a refrigerator she could afford and immediately own.  She also continued by sharing how she feels more in control of her situation by knowing how best to spend her money, and she and her husband talk about their finances beyond the needs of today.  Prior to graduating from UP3, this was not something that occurred or was even discussed.  Money was meant to be spent. 

She is currently on disability and wants to work (she is able to work part-time); however, working would mean a loss in food stamps and more importantly her medical insurance.  She needs life-sustaining medications and without insurance, she would not be able to afford coverage and would fall into the gap that exists due to our state not expanding Medicaid.  Additionally, her husband cannot afford care through the Affordable Care Act and is choosing to be penalized in 2015, with the fine to be deducted from their tax return. (This is the story of a countless number in our state who fall through the gap.)

UP3 is an initiative supported by the outreach center to move people from the hopelessness they feel by the limitations of poverty (the definition itself) to a future emphasizing stability.  Each of the graduates feel empowered with tools and resources that otherwise remain hidden and thank each of your reading this blog for your interest, support, and assistance in giving a voice to those who otherwise feel invisible. 

Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor for President Clinton, reveals the staggering statistics of income inequality in the United States in Inequality for All.  One fact that resonates the loudest with the UP3 investigators is, "400 individuals in the United States hold more wealth than 150 million Americans, almost half of the country's population."  Think about that.   

I empower those living in poverty who never heard of enormity of welfare (bailouts & they ARE welfare) given to corporations & yet everyday, people living in poverty are invisible despite working one, two, & for some, three jobs & yet the person is blamed. Please be educated.