Symposium looks at race, poverty

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, eight teachers will talk about race and poverty in America in a open symposium entitled “A New Look at Race and Poverty in America.”

This free event will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Gallery. Eight North Lake professors will serve on the panel. They are Christan Amundsen (psychology), John Hitt (government), Chad Wilkes (religion), Paul MaGee (sociology), Enrique Otero (psychology), Tuesday Hambric (psychology), Mark Evans (psychology) and Phyllis Elmore (English).

According to Amundsen, who will moderate the symposium, the country has been neglecting poverty. “Nothing has been done about this issue in 40 years,” he said, “not since the 1960s war on poverty.”

John Hitt said poverty in America is at a higher rate than most believe. “Due to the Bush administration’s lack of response to the loss of jobs due to Katrina, Rita, and even 9-11, more people are without jobs now,” he said.

A total of 36 million people below the age of 65 are considered to be in the poverty group.

Professor Chad Wilkes will look at the religious aspect of this dilemma, focusing mainly on the merger between Christianity and capitalism.

Paul MaGee will discuss the future of our country’s economy if it continues to ignore the impoverished people living in our society.

English professor Phyllis Elmore said that she will be looking at the connection between race and poverty and how it came to be in our country.

The symposium will be a great way for students to get a new understanding of the level of poverty in our society and how that is influenced by race.

It will also be a chance for students to see ways that they may be able to help with this problem.

The symposium is open to all students, and is co-sponsored by the News-Register and the Journalism Club.

Refreshments will be served immediately following the event, and panelists will be available to meet with the students.