“Not my son,” Marilyn
calmly whispered as she listened to the local news regarding the deterioration
of the neighborhood public schools. Though outwardly silent, she made a
thunderous inner vow. Her son would acquire
an education and break the cycle of housing projects, violence, broken homes, and
hopelessness. It would end here.
Poverty in America
is usually encapsulated in political sound bites, gloomy documentaries or
contrarily glamorized in rap videos. But
the genuine effects of poverty lie in the unspoken matters that remain tucked
away in the heart. Like a child
wondering why his father won’t come visit him.
Or the spilling tears and mournful wails of a mother during the dark
hours of the night. These are the soul-wrenching
realities of poverty that often evade the cameras.
From FDR’s Depression-era
safety net programs to LBJ’s War on Poverty, the growth of government dependency
has been deceptive. We have learned that
government generosity is never free, but rather represents a subtle trade. One welcomes a measly monthly stipend…in
exchange for a loss of personal dignity and individual choice.
And this individual choice – especially in education – is fundamental to familial income mobility.
And this individual choice – especially in education – is fundamental to familial income mobility.
Just as the gospel
of Jesus Christ places all men on equal ground at the foot of the cross, rich
and poor alike have always hailed education as the great economic and social
equalizer. However, access to a high-quality education has been elusive to
many. Too often, public education in its
present form locks impoverished children into an educational prison.
Because the current
structure of public education is comfortable and financed by powerful political
lobbies, many people are unwilling to even consider new strategies. The result?
Poverty and hopelessness are no longer temporary setbacks, but rather
have become a generational inheritance.
In too many cases daughter, mother and grandmother reside in the same prison,
reaping the bitter fruits of poverty.
We have to set
aside every political agenda, past transgression, or cultural norm for the sake
of unity and the future of our children.
Parents must be empowered with a myriad of choices, on how best to
engage their children’s educational needs.
Choice is the cornerstone of freedom, and education is the principal
instrument that should express that consecrated freedom.
Marilyn – my mother
– was given that choice. She was offered
a special school transfer. This permitted
me the opportunity to attend a school far outside of my zoned district. That
solitary option has forever changed the future of our family. I thank God every day for the freedom we have
in Christ and in our nation. But I also
thank my mother for her courage to seize the choice laid before her.
Let’s give every parent in South Carolina the same power to break the cycle of poverty and dependency. Let’s ensure the most hallowed freedom of our nation continues to remain the most sacred: the power to choose.
Tim Lollis is Director of Community and Public Relations at Word of God Ministries and a freelance writer. His passion is bridging divides and strengthening relationships within the Christian community. He previously served as a Regional Director in the office of U.S. Senator Jim DeMint and currently resides in Columbia with his wife Renatha.
Let’s give every parent in South Carolina the same power to break the cycle of poverty and dependency. Let’s ensure the most hallowed freedom of our nation continues to remain the most sacred: the power to choose.
Tim Lollis is Director of Community and Public Relations at Word of God Ministries and a freelance writer. His passion is bridging divides and strengthening relationships within the Christian community. He previously served as a Regional Director in the office of U.S. Senator Jim DeMint and currently resides in Columbia with his wife Renatha.
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