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The question is, why are there poor people being stigmatize and discriminated? What can we do to help the poor? The stigma against poverty is a serious problem. Society believes that poverty is a “dimension” that would be awful to be in or to experience. People in poverty often are socialized with the words “parasites, skivers, work-shy, lazy, stupid, feckless”. I believe that society is too quick to judge the people who may be on government assistance.
They isolate them, aging then feel like they are not part of the community. Excluding them from things that go around the community. The absence of poor people from the public space enhances the social normalization of poor people. Poor people try to engage themselves in various informal jobs to increase their income; occupational multiplicity is a must for them to afford food. They try so hard to not depend on the government’s welfare. Putting the people that are living in poverty down gives them a terrible attitude towards life. Not only do they bring themselves down but bring others down.
Example: Let’s say that you have a hard working person that is trying to put a meal on the table for their family, trying to do whatever they can do then they see a person just standing there doing nothing, that hard working person then believes that person is lazy and does not strive to succeed. As a community, believe that there are a lot of things that we can do to include the poor. Making them feel like they belong and not exclude them. Suggesting events where they can attend and not feel out of place would be an awesome idea. Believe that their vote counts for anything and everything.
I know that the community often talks about renovations around town and what is going on. We need to make sure that they know that they are invited to these meetings and that it is important that they voice their opinions. I hope that this stigma against poverty will soon fade away. We need to come together as a community and start getting along with each other, no matter what kind of background anyone has. Stop judging those who may need more help than others. Becoming together as one will help fight this stigma and help the community become a better place to be.