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Brianna Blanco
10/18/2017
English 111
Olabajo Dada
The United States holds a population of 323 million, and 45 million of those people live
below the poverty line. The reason for this is not the stigmas placed on them by others, such as
laziness or occupied with life. The reasons boil down to specific factors such as being born with
the wrong skin color, a decrease in education for job outcomes, increased cost of living and
homelessness.
Being born in a family of four, where both parents makes less than $24,000 a year is
considered poor. Even from day one when a baby is brought into this Earth, the labeling begins.
It is less likely for that baby to attempt to live a life of the same situation its parents are in
whenever they start a life of their own. If you think about genetics, that same baby is genetically
modified to be poor because of its parents. Then think about the family of four, as African
Americans, the tables turn and there is data that shows outcomes. When looking at some states in
the United States, one can see the difference in poverty between whites, blacks, hispanics, and
even other races. In Maine the poverty rate for African-Americans is 87 percent while compared
to whites which is 11 percent. (Kaiser 1) In Louisiana the poverty rate for African-Americans is
30 percent while for whites it is 24 percent. (Kaiser 1) In California the poverty rate for African-
Americans is 23 percent while for whites it is 10 percent. (Kaiser 1) These are only some of the
states across America that have this ratio. There are plenty more with higher rates in poverty
People who are poor do not have many options when it comes down to where they are
living. They end up in an area with high crime rates as well as homelessness. Education
correlates tremendously depending on where people live as well. Going back to the same
African-American family of four, they ended up starting a new life in Wadesboro, North
Carolina. Wadesboro is one of the top worst cities to live in North Carolina. (James 1) Anson
High School is one of the eleven schools in that district. The minority enrollment for Anson High
School stands out to be 76 percent, while the economically disadvantaged enrollment rate stands
to be 74 percent. (US News 1) While the minority rate is higher in this particular school, the
education rate between this school and the states is different. In English Anson High School has
a 25 percent in proficiency, while the state has 60 percent proficiency in that subject. (US News
2) Looking at math, the high school has a less than 20 percent in proficiency, while the states is
40 percent. (US News 2) Also taking into consideration the schools college readiness that turned
out to be 15.0 out of an index of 100.0. (US News 2) The kids in the family of four growing up
in Wadesboro have a higher chance of going straight to low paying labor after high school rather
The young adults in Wadesboro will continue their journey in the workfield after high
school because of the increased cost of living. College is also a dilemma because of its expense.
The family of four living below the poverty line cannot afford to live in a suburban area where
there are plenty of stores lined up down the block for food and other necessities. They can only
afford to live in the area of Wadesboro where there are higher crime rates and a food desert. A
food desert is described as parts of the country lacking fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthful
whole foods usually found in impoverished areas. (USDA 1) Due to the lack of food options, the
low income families are being forced to eat unhealthy which can lead to health problems in the
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parents as well as the children. The father of the family of four has diabetes and high blood
pressure, does not have health insurance and works 60 hours a week just to provide for the
family. He pays out of pocket for his medications which takes up most of his income. Just
imagine being in that situation where the area one lives in can potentially kill because of lack of
nutrition leading to health problems. There is only one Food Lion and one Walmart located in
Wadesboro, North Carolina followed up by mom and pop shop grocery stores. (Home 1)
Compared to Charlotte, North Carolina where there are 5 different larger company grocery stores
With cost of living increasing Wadesboro seemed to be a perfect fit with cheap living
expenses. Now, with cheaper living expenses that does not correlate to the amount of
homelessness that Wadesboro encounters. There are over 3,000 listed facilities to help the
homeless with Wadesboro being only a population around 5,000. (Wadesboro 1) These facilities
can include homeless shelters, drug rehab, and halfway houses. Homelessness can occur a
variety of different ways. Mental health issues, health problems, loss of employment, no
Looking over the rollercoaster of things that people in poverty go through is astonishing.
Why do people have to live in a world where they struggle to survive with their families? Clearly
the government has not found a solution to the problem of poverty. When a solution is brought
up, homelessness would decrease, education for children would rise and cost of living could be
affordable for everyone. Racism of course will hopefully diminish as well. The world as it is
constantly changes, and one day it will change for the better.
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Work Cited
Web.
"Poverty Rate by Race/Ethnicity." The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. KFF, 22 Sept.
2017. Web.
"USDA Defines Food Deserts." American Nutrition Association. American Nutrition, n.d.
Web.
Areavibes. "Wadesboro, NC Crime." AreaVibes - The Best Places To Live. Areavibes, n.d.
Web.
James, Nick. "These Are The 10 Worst Cities In North Carolina For 2017." RoadSnacks.
Meet the Author Peter L. Hinrichs Senior Research Economist Peter Hinrichs' Main Field
"Poverty Rate by Race/Ethnicity." The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. KFF, 22 Sept.
2017. Web.
"USDA Defines Food Deserts." American Nutrition Association. American Nutrition, n.d.
Web.
www.shelterlistings.org/city/wadesboro-nc.html.