6/29/2010 10:19:00 AM
WJBC Staff

   

This is Mike Williams for WJBC's Forum;

This coming Sunday will be the 4th of July or Independence Day. Independence Day is a celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776, declaring independence from Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and good old apple pie! My mouth is watering...

Everyday thousands leave their homeland to come to the "land of milk and honey" so they too can live the American Dream. I often wonder if our forefathers imaged or had any inkling that America would be the nation that it is? There are endless opportunities to be successful in American. Unfortunately, some Americans don't see opportunity; they see a life of poverty and dependence upon the government. The bible clearly states that we will have our poor. I'm not questioning the "Bible"! But, if we can lead a family out of poverty, the next generations are less likely to grow dependent upon the government.

What a concept in its simplest form...if each of us are willing to step out of our comfort zone and align ourselves with an organization that's working to end poverty we are not only helping the poverty stickered but the next generations and our nation. There are endless opportunities to close the poverty gap if we have the willingness to do something about.

I recently was in a meeting and we were discussing the disparities that our nation is plagued with. And one meeting attendee said "If you educate a woman...you've educated a nation." This is a powerful statement....if you really sit down and think about it for a minute.

As we all are aware, single mothers heading households are growing in numbers especially for the poor. How do we combat this ever growing trend? Formal education and life skills are an option that should be looked at. Mid-Central Community Action is doing so. I attended their annual banquet and the stories that are told about how women and men have rose out of the ashes of life tragedies and are now living the "American Dream" by becoming home owners, completing their education, and contributing to society. If you haven't supported Mid-Central Community Action, I encourage you to do so. It's a wonderful program and its ran by an outstanding group of people.

Give it some thought and joining the fight against poverty and have a memorable 4th of July.

In the struggle this is Mike Williams for WJBC's Forum.