I am spending this summer working at an organization in Chicago that works with seniors on issues of affordable housing and home care for the older adult population. I spend my days working with people who have worked their whole lives, who have given their all to society, and yet, their pensions don’t cover rent, their social security barely covers the basic needs of a month. I work with individuals who deserve to live their lives with dignity, who have only ever treated others as honorable human beings, and yet, they are in a fight with the world to keep their homes, to keep their buildings affordable.
A week ago, one of the members stated that they must stand up for themselves since no one else will do it for them. I’m not sure that statement is true, after all, I spend time with them, I’m fighting for them. I think, rather, they need to stand up for themselves because each individual has a story, a history, a voice that can will you to listen, help, hope with and for them.
I have been thinking about the injustices in the world, which i know are too many to mention. What strikes me the most is that the government thinks I need xx dollars to live on every year, and yet, this amount is at least $10,00 above the poverty line for a family of 4. That’s right, I need xx to live on, as a single, working student, and the family of four is expected to live on less than that. I dont’ understand the math. I learned that I am expected and asked to live on $xx a month and yet, a social security check, for a woman who has worked since she was 16, is nearly half that. how is that fair. Yes, I can pay back my loans, God-willing one day, but what happened to the value of a life’s work? what happens to the widow who has no one to take care of her? what happens to the man who needs a nurse to help him with his daily life but can’t afford to pay her with the raise in wages? what happens to the family who is expected to live on $xxx a month, after they’ve worked three jobs and can’t make ends meet?
I dont have the answers, I have an idea as to where to begin- with a relationship, a meeting, getting to know the neighbor you never spoke to. Writing a letter in support of those who helped build our country so we can have the freedoms today. Sometimes, it’s hard to find the Justice in our world, the justice in working hard… these are the glory years?!
A week ago, one of the members stated that they must stand up for themselves since no one else will do it for them. I’m not sure that statement is true, after all, I spend time with them, I’m fighting for them. I think, rather, they need to stand up for themselves because each individual has a story, a history, a voice that can will you to listen, help, hope with and for them.
I have been thinking about the injustices in the world, which i know are too many to mention. What strikes me the most is that the government thinks I need xx dollars to live on every year, and yet, this amount is at least $10,00 above the poverty line for a family of 4. That’s right, I need xx to live on, as a single, working student, and the family of four is expected to live on less than that. I dont’ understand the math. I learned that I am expected and asked to live on $xx a month and yet, a social security check, for a woman who has worked since she was 16, is nearly half that. how is that fair. Yes, I can pay back my loans, God-willing one day, but what happened to the value of a life’s work? what happens to the widow who has no one to take care of her? what happens to the man who needs a nurse to help him with his daily life but can’t afford to pay her with the raise in wages? what happens to the family who is expected to live on $xxx a month, after they’ve worked three jobs and can’t make ends meet?
I dont have the answers, I have an idea as to where to begin- with a relationship, a meeting, getting to know the neighbor you never spoke to. Writing a letter in support of those who helped build our country so we can have the freedoms today. Sometimes, it’s hard to find the Justice in our world, the justice in working hard… these are the glory years?!
Rabbi Eve Posen 