Poverty and

race.  A dear friend and I have been having some lengthy discussions lately about all the violence that has been in the news.  We have been talking about what part poverty takes in the mix.  We have come to the conclusion that poverty is a powerful thing.  It takes away hope, and cuts us down to the core.  It makes us feel afraid and mad.  It makes us feel like an animal trying to get out of a cage.  I haven't been in poverty, but I have had years of going from pillar to post just trying to get by.  The reason I say I haven't been in poverty is that some way I got through it.  Many people are caught in this cycle.  It causes irrational behavior because we are trying to just get what other humans take for granted.  In many places, poverty is disproportionate in the black populations, however, many other people suffer from it, too.  The combination  of poverty, being desperate, and being treated unfairly has to be a horrible experience.  We have to start somewhere.  Money needs to be allocated to cleaning up these areas.  Minimum wage, and jobs need to be addressed.  Most of all, since we are all precious valuable citizens, we need to be treated as such.  Yes, Republicans, money can be made from all this.  People will invest time and energy when they work and live in a place they can be proud of. We MUST to invest in them, first!