When 'Challenge' Is Reality

One of the things people really liked -- and disliked -- about Roseanne Barr's show in the late 80's/early 90's was that it brought characters into our homes that still knew a little bit about struggle...what it felt like to be concerned with making ends meet. They were far from perfect and weren't particularly well-off contrary to some of the others on TV, pretending to cry the Hill Street Blues, living a Dynasty or even...living like The Cosbys.

(I'll always cherish the Cosby days for many important reasons, but Cliff and Clair weren't necessarily hurtin' at the bank...but there was a reason for that, too. Anyone remember Good Times?).

Where are you going with this, Michel?

I'm trying to convey that on today's program, we wanted to do the same by highlighting the Food Stamp Challenge, where lawmakers -- and others who will likely never have to live a day on food stamps -- are taking up the cause with on a very meager food budget. Admirable, of course. And although it was a thoughtful and even fun story, the reality is that there are people...in this America...who live on $20/week (or less) for food; people honestly trying to make ends meet, but still live that reality.

We don't hear these stories often. We live our lives, retreat to our homes, open the fridge and grab (or beckon for) whatever we want...and then we swallow it. End of story. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Today, Tell Me More thought it might do good to remind you that such is not the case for everyone...

After today's broadcast, we heard from a mother living in Stamford, Connecticut. She's in school, furthering her education. Instead of taking what many might consider the more convenient route -- working one or two steady jobs to pay the bills, tired at the end of the day, but making weekly trips to the store to replenish the kids' weekly "fix" for Cap'n Crunch -- she chose delayed gratification...exchanging one grind for another: the classroom. She's furthering her education...and financially struggling to an extent that it's excruciating.
We feel like it's our social responsibility to let you know stories like hers.
(You'll read from her in the comment thread below...)

If any one knows of assistance for working moms who are also in school...doing the best they can, please share that knowledge here on the blog. Especially if you know of resources in the Stamford area. The least we can do (all of us) is help her connect the dots that could offer her some relief.

Just dropping knowledge...

Michel Martin

10:40 PM ET | 05-24-2007 | permalink

comments | | e-mail

10:40 PM ET | 05-24-2007 | permalink