I often say if more people exhibited compassion on a regular basis, this world would be a lot better.
I’m a firm believer that when we exercise compassion, we are less likely to pass judgment or make certain generalizations. In other words, compassion keeps us fair and open-minded.
Many Hoosiers are very fortunate. They enjoy the resources to live relatively comfortable lives, pay their bills and even afford luxuries others only dream about. And while such individuals need not apologize for their good fortune, I hope they realize how blessed they are. I also hope they realize many people throughout the Hoosier state are not so privileged.
In understanding the plight of the less fortunate, we must first be educated on why select individuals are in such dire poverty. To do that, we must denounce stereotypes and cling to the facts. That can be a hard task to accomplish.
Last week I had the opportunity to speak to a group of college students at IUPUI. A few of the students were journalism majors, others were civic leadership majors, but the vast majority were policy majors. As we conversed, the subjects of race and socio-economic status quickly arose. While the students were all very engaged and polite, it didn’t take long for me to realize that growing up, many of them were not exposed to diversity – either from an ethnic or socio-economic perspective.
Some students made comments revealing opinions based on stereotypes or misperceptions, rather than fact. I sincerely think they were not intentionally trying to be mean-spirited or judgmental, rather they stated their opinions based off what they were exposed to or had been taught in the past.
The great thing about most youth and young adults today is many remain open-minded.
Once I equipped the students with hard data relative to race and the socio-economic status of Americans and Hoosiers, the questions they asked changed, and most importantly – the solutions they suggested changed.
When those IUPUI students began to think differently, their compassion and reason became more evident, their proposed solutions to community problems, more balanced.
Indiana lawmakers would be wise to follow the example of these IUPUI students.
Within the past week, we saw two huge developments in the state of Indiana.
First, Gov. Mike Pence’s defiant about-face and refusal to seek $80 million dollars in federal funding for preschool developments. It’s baffling. Members of his own administration worked with others in a bi-partisan effort to submit the grant for the funding. But in the 11th hour, our governor pulled the plug. His lack of action on this initiative dealt a devastating blow to thousands of Hoosier families. Pence offered very little explanation as to why he changed his mind, except to say, “more federal dollars do not necessarily equal success.”
Another slap in the face to Hoosiers: the work requirement for people who receive food stamps that is scheduled to take effect next spring.
Basically the measure mandates any adult without children who receives the subsidy will only get food stamps for three months.
In order to continue receiving food stamps after that time period, those individuals will have to either get a part-time job or participate in a job training program.
While there are some who take advantage, their numbers are incredibly low, and there is legal recourse to deal with them once their frauds are found out. Data show most Hoosiers who receive food stamps do work, they just don’t take home enough money to make ends meet. Lumping all food stamp recipients into a “lazy” or “shiftless” category is not only unfair, but it’s a waste of time to institute procedures that don’t even impact the majority.
Both Pence’s refusal to seek funds for Pre-K, and the state’s new food stamp requirement, are attacks on the poor. More compassion needs to be shown to the least of these. In doing so, Indiana becomes richer – financially and also, morally.
