The Jan. 31 article “Community Leaders Hold Conversation On Race” was about the poverty problem. U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield’s thinking expressed in that article needs to be addressed.

Butterfield’s district is composed of 51 percent blacks; 44 percent whites; and 5 percent other minorities.

Butterfield implied that his approval/disapproval shown at the Christmas parade was due to race. Does he think the folks in his district do not have enough sense to judge him on his congressional record?

Black, white and other ethnicities who are living in poverty need to realize handouts from government are not the answer to their poverty. Foods stamps can keep you alive, but they will not change your poverty status.

A 2009 study by the Brookings Institution found that Americans who finished high school, acquired a full-time job and waited until age 21 to get married before having children were much less likely to end up in poverty.

In fact, “young adults who finished high school; acquired a full-time job; and waited until age 21 to get married before having children had only a 2 percent chance of winding up in poverty and a 74 percent chance of winding up in the middle class (defined as earning roughly $50,000 or more).

By contrast, young adults who did not finish high school, did not acquire a full-time job and did not wait until they were 21 to get married and have children had a 76 percent chance of winding up in poverty and only a 7 percent chance of winding up in the middle class.

Why do politicians continue to treat symptoms instead of going to the root of the problem? Is it because they don’t know any better? Or is it because it is in their best political interests to keep a large percentage of the population dependant on federal and state aid?

Listen, adults and teens, there are public schools and libraries available to everyone. Unless you have a learning disability, you do not have to be uneducated and dependent on others.

Sometimes, small children may start out behind because of a lack of instruction at home but if a person will learn to read, there is no limit to what he or she can learn.

Getting a good education will require sacrifices and self-control, but being an independent person not having to rely on a handout or being able to make an educated decision is very liberating.

Not everyone will take the high road of educating themselves, and becoming responsible people with dignity and character, but the odds will be much greater if we treat the root of the poverty problem instead of the symptoms.

Matthew 26:6-11 – “For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me.”

Jesus knew there would always be poor people and his teachings tell us to help them. But enticing a person to be irresponsible through handouts is not what he taught.

Those living in poverty need to take their lives into their own hands by educating themselves.

If you have already taken on the responsibility of a family, don’t be discouraged. Get busy and educate yourself, so you can liberate yourself and help your children to be liberated through education.

Julia Manning

Spring Hope