WAR ON POVERTY

            

Gabriel, Trip. "50 Years Into The War on Poverty, Hardship Hits Back." New York Times. New York            Times, 20 Apr. 2014. Web. 1 Mar. 2016.

           In the article, “50 Years Into the War on Poverty, Hardship Hits Back”, author Trip Gabriel analyzes the history and current situation of the poverty stricken McDowell County in West Virginia. President Lyndon B. Johnson declared this war on poverty in 1964 and from this many federal programs came about to help many people achieve a decent standard of living. However, about half-century later poverty rose again in McDowell County. This is because the coal industry declined and many people were forced to leave. Among those who stayed drug abuse and a lack of education took its toll. The only way these remaining families could survive was through government benefits, such as food stamps and disability insurance. In the past couple of years changes have been trying to be made. Reconnecting McDowell is a program working toward bettering education while the West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition is working to help teach new parents the essential skills they need. Gabriel emphasizes the importance of not forgetting to help the small County’s, such as McDowell, to defeat poverty as well as everywhere else.

            In evaluating this I do agree with author Trip Gabriel that poverty is a huge problem. We all must work to help those in its grasp rise above it. Many people in McDowell County had very poor upbringings which damaged their futures. These children came from broken homes and had nothing, so they turned to a life of crime or drugs. We cannot blame them for their poverty because they were never taught another way of life. This is why it is crucial to enact these programs, West Virginia Healthy Kids and Families Coalition & Reconnecting McDowell, to assist these aching families by providing them information to be passed down from generation to generation.