Amazing Grace Summary 2
To America, poverty is an issue that is important and one that is emotionally charged. America is a country of prosperity, wealth and abundance, yet, many people find it difficult to pay for their basic assistance without financial support. Living in the wealthiest country, the United States still has a significant portion living in poverty. 36.5 million people live in poverty in the United States (Who is poor?). So what is causing poverty is the question many people asked themselves. Who is the majority living in poverty? What can we as a nation do about poverty? Our children are living in poverty more than adults. “Almost 16% of all children in the U.S. live in poverty. 30% of African American children and over 27% of Hispanic children under age 18 live in poverty” (Kirst-Ashman 247). What is normal? For the children of the South Bronx, living with the pollution, the sickness, the drugs, and the violence is the only way of life many of them have ever known. First try to picture children in a slum where the filth in their homes is just as bad as that which is in the streets. Where prostitution is uncontrolled, the thievery is too common, and murder and death is a daily occurrence. Crack-cocaine and heroin are sold in corner markets, and the eyes of men and women wandering about uselessly in the streets of Mott Haven. Their bodies puncture with disease, disease which seems to control the neighborhood. This is Mott Haven, in New York City 's South Bronx, the outback of this American nation 's poorest congressional district.
Looking at the perspective of the people strengths, we can gain the strong belief in God and the search for faith. Although many of the adults are pessimistic and tired, others find the strength in religious faith. Children from families active in the vibrant church communities enthuse about heaven and eternal rewards for living a good life. The children accept that life is not fair, but many talk of God and heaven as a place where fairness and
Cited: Brooks/Cole, 2007.
Chicago Press, 2000.
Press, Inc, 1999.