To the Editor:
I absolutely agree with Shannon Jensen's column, ("A Different Scene of Tragedy," DP 9/12/05) for drawing attention to the everyday circumstances of poverty suffered by millions of Americans. Her statistics lend credence to claims of national poverty often overlooked, and her suggestions of better communication and a firmer grasp of numbers would do their part to increase awareness and improve the public response to the un-extraordinary tragedy of poverty in the U.S.
I merely write in hopes that Hurricane Katrina's disastrous aftermath might not overshadow, but perhaps highlight, the specter of poverty in our nation today. Katrina could be a source of encouragement for us, Penn students living in the West Philadelphia community, to seek opportunities of service or social justice involvement.
Following the advice of former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, we could volunteer at city shelters, visiting not only with displaced hurricane victims but also with all of Philadelphia's homeless population.
The Student Coalition Against Hunger works in conjunction with the Philadelphia Food Stamp Enrollment Campaign to increase access to food stamps. Empty the Shelters works with the Kensington Welfare Rights Union on issues of social justice, organizing educational workshops, distributing food and providing Reality Tours of Kensington, the poorest district in Pennsylvania.
Countless other organizations at Penn can be reached through Civic House and the Center for Community Partnerships. Katrina can encourage a proactive response in us Penn students, right here in Philly.
Meredith EdwardsCollege '06
