Lots of people think they understand the various levels of poverty. They even have special quotes for polite society. Annelise, like many of us has and in some respects is living with poverty. Her point of view Is relevant.
Reading this story again and again the cruelty of the teacher hits me hard why would she shame a child for not having enough? What does the child have to do with any of it, she probably would have loved the ball. Most kids like to play with a ball. When we did gift exchanges the value was always very low to make sure everyone could afford it. Very sad how cruel this teacher was.
I appreciate that you are writing from a position of personal experience, and that it includes a developing world position. In the USA, many of us do not understand true poverty, and cannot understand the shame that those in poverty live with. Having said that, there is a way forward that includes compassion and self respect. Thank you for your perspective.
LIke you I have first hand knowledge of poverty. We lived in a surplus Army tent when I was younger. We had to haul water & keep it in old milk cans. An outhouse was located nearby. My father shot squirrels to supplement our food. We raised some veggies in hardscrabble soil. We wore hand-me-down clothes. Sometimes there were mouse turds in our cereal. We were hungry plenty of times. OUr family was the butt of cruel jokes by others. I learned to be wary of society in general. I was shy & blended into the background for survival. Learned early on that life isn't fair. I became feisty & fought anyone who demeaned my family. There were no food banks then. Poverty is not only a state of mind but living in the actual physical condition.
Thank you so much Joyce for sharing your knowledge and personal experience on Poverty. I am so sorry that you had to experience hunger and unsanitary food while growing up. yes, I agree there is a lot more that goes into the state of poverty than the state of mind.
I know how it is to be left out and because you are not of the same standard as other people. Teachers should be patient and not rude with such students. It is sad how they demean a poor standard.
I read about poverty in the USA and how soup kitchens flourish over there feeding the poor. If you listen to the stories of developing countries you would have only tears in your eyes. The extent of poverty is too widespread in India. People do not have two square meals a day for a family. It is a pitiable state. Just depends on where you are born in a country like this. A poor person will always remain poor.
Lots of people think they understand the various levels of poverty. They even have special quotes for polite society. Annelise, like many of us has and in some respects is living with poverty. Her point of view Is relevant.
Reading this story again and again the cruelty of the teacher hits me hard why would she shame a child for not having enough? What does the child have to do with any of it, she probably would have loved the ball. Most kids like to play with a ball. When we did gift exchanges the value was always very low to make sure everyone could afford it. Very sad how cruel this teacher was.
I appreciate that you are writing from a position of personal experience, and that it includes a developing world position. In the USA, many of us do not understand true poverty, and cannot understand the shame that those in poverty live with. Having said that, there is a way forward that includes compassion and self respect. Thank you for your perspective.
Very true Pam, thank you for sharing your thoughts on poverty.
LIke you I have first hand knowledge of poverty. We lived in a surplus Army tent when I was younger. We had to haul water & keep it in old milk cans. An outhouse was located nearby. My father shot squirrels to supplement our food. We raised some veggies in hardscrabble soil. We wore hand-me-down clothes. Sometimes there were mouse turds in our cereal. We were hungry plenty of times. OUr family was the butt of cruel jokes by others. I learned to be wary of society in general. I was shy & blended into the background for survival. Learned early on that life isn't fair. I became feisty & fought anyone who demeaned my family. There were no food banks then. Poverty is not only a state of mind but living in the actual physical condition.
Thank you so much Joyce for sharing your knowledge and personal experience on Poverty. I am so sorry that you had to experience hunger and unsanitary food while growing up. yes, I agree there is a lot more that goes into the state of poverty than the state of mind.
I know how it is to be left out and because you are not of the same standard as other people. Teachers should be patient and not rude with such students. It is sad how they demean a poor standard.
I agree Preeti no matter what students need to be treated well regardless of their background situation.
I read about poverty in the USA and how soup kitchens flourish over there feeding the poor. If you listen to the stories of developing countries you would have only tears in your eyes. The extent of poverty is too widespread in India. People do not have two square meals a day for a family. It is a pitiable state. Just depends on where you are born in a country like this. A poor person will always remain poor.
Poverty is a very complex and sad topic. Thank you for sharing your experience Preeti.