Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: tired

Solving Only Part of Poverty

Some folks had half of a good idea: they started an anti-poverty project to move poor people out of ghettos into better neighborhoods. That part worked. Unfortunately most of the problems associated with poverty -- most perniciously, the mindset -- moved with them. It created crime booms in the neighborhoods where the poor people moved. The missing half of the idea would've been to provide thorough opportunities for education and employment, and to weave people into their new neighborhoods so they'd have a solid support network.

The original article is here. It's long and complicated, but it's an excellent analysis of half a success story. We need this kind of thoughtfulness if we're to learn how to solve problems the rest of the way, when the first attempt doesn't hit the bullseye.
Tags: community, economics, news
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  • 2 comments
datalore

datalore

June 30 2008, 00:36:53 UTC 13 years ago

I have to say... why did they think that getting rid of the "poor area" by moving the people out would also magically give them all jobs and make all the criminals go straight? Durrr....
ysabetwordsmith

ysabetwordsmith

July 1 2008, 02:28:22 UTC 13 years ago

Maybe because they thought the very real problems caused by ghettos were the only problems. Getting rid of the ghettos is a necessary first step, just not sufficient.