"Opportunity" continues to elude many in urban communities

Op-Ed by Edward Foxworth III/Tell Us USA News Network

(Tell Us USA) - In 1964, the average yearly income was $5,880, a gallon of gas – 25¢, a loaf of bread - 21¢ and President Lyndon B. Johnson launched a “War on Poverty”. Forty-seven and a half years later, the average yearly income is nearly $42,000, a gallon of gas cost - $3.59, a loaf of bread – $1.89 and nearly 40 Million people are living in poverty. While the ‘absolute poverty line’ is the threshold below which families or individuals are considered to be lacking the resources to meet the basic needs for healthy living, which includes having insufficient income to provide food, shelter and clothing needed to preserve health, urban centers are noticeably experiencing extreme deficiencies. At the very root of the rising crime statistics, dropout rates, and drug use, appears the vicious cycle where opportunity for advancement is minimal!

Having seen and heard stories of individuals growing up in abuse, neglect, illiteracy, and low-income households and communities before, what has changed over the past 40 years? Being without has had its negatives as well as positives. For many, it is a continuous excuse for why they have not succeeded. Yet there are so many more that use it as an opportunity to grow, to stay in or go back to school, to learn how to network, or to walk, talk and act in a professional manner.

Conforming to these higher standards in the workforce and society-at-large for that matter, has been a hurdle, as the attention, often at an early age, turns towards what is most important right now! That often means covering the basics of food, water and shelter. “As a result and especially at job fairs, individuals are showing up less than prepared to enter the labor market; from the content & format of their resume to their overall appearance”, says Treneice Barns, an Event Planner for a National Career Fair organization and former Social Worker. “What lies behind this presentation or lack thereof, tends to be an undercurrent of self-doubt. We are witnessing a growing number of people who have become discouraged, removed and desperate, inevitably taking themselves out of the running for opportunities.”

It is this writer’s opinion that the real “War on Poverty”, for those who have been marginalized, begins with the gift of time where they first decide on a direction for their lives, are able to take inventory of their skill sets, determine their deficiencies, coupled with an internal drive and support from a network of people who can assist is a great start. From that point, this circle of committed, caring and encouraged people must be then willing to share contacts, advice and honest assessments of each other’s habits & behaviors, many that might need to change if they are looking to advance!

It is then and only then, that one person at a time, their pursuit for something better than what they are experiencing translates into something much more rewarding for them, their family, their community and beyond!

Ed Foxworth is an Entrepreneur and Author of “The Six Routines of Self-Discovery” and the newly released “Recapture Your Passion” System. To book him as a Speaker or to pick up your copy of his self-help books or CD’s, visit www.edwardfoxworth.com.