Last week, following the viral testimony video on the poverty level to Congress (watch below), I was contacted by a large and widely popular news organization for an interview. They wanted to tell the story of the woman behind the testimony; what’s my story and how I became so passionate.
Okay, I thought. And then I heard that they were coming on “this” day and wanted a food pantry and SNAP recipients. I sat there for a minute and then told him that I was working that day and doing a Census presentation, which I’m sure he didn’t want to cover, and that I wouldn’t do poverty porn. That’s right, poverty porn. And I haven’t heard back.
Poverty porn, to me, is when media outlets come in here looking to exploit our stories by choosing to focus on the most abject circumstances rather than portray us as people surviving in the midst of them. You know, the stories that make it appear as if we are the epitome of every stereotype about our state and our people. And I won’t allow myself to be a part of that. Period.
Speaking the Truth
I firmly believe that there are two overarching reasons why my testimony has gotten over seven million views: I spoke the truth for a demographic that is largely ignored, the working poor, and I did it without playing the victim card. I know hundreds of people who are working and still struggling and maybe two of those play the poor victim. And there are other issues at play there, such as mental health, rather than just finances. We aren’t those in the media portraying us to be what we are instead of uneducated … but it’s the poverty porn that usually sells.
It’s sexier to paint a picture of every struggling person as lazy and uneducated, but that has to stop. We need to start hearing the stories of the mom working for $13/hour with a disabled spouse who can’t work. We need to start hearing stories about working-class families who have two and three incomes just to stay afloat. We need to hear about how hard it is for childcare centers to find great staff when they could make more working at a fast-food restaurant. We need to hear about the nursing aides and the social workers who are out here caring for and loving on folks while worrying about paying their rent and utilities in the winter because of heating costs.
Too Much. Not Enough
But how do we hear these stories? Well, we have to start
telling them, and that means being honest and vulnerable about what our lives
really look like. Not having enough is shrouded in such shame that it’s
remarkably hard to find people who want to share their experience with it, but
we absolutely have to!
There is no other way to make folks aware of what it looks like to be stuck in that gray area of “too much to get help” and “not enough to get by” other than telling our stories. And believe me, once your truth is out there, others will begin speaking up, too. They’ll join their stories with yours because they’ll be glad someone understands them. Start by taking this survey to give your ideas about what we need to fix in the system to move from assistance to self-reliance. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YQ8Q2L3
Sharing the Poverty Story
I’m launching a website, rattlethewindows.org, and I’m asking for you to share your story. I want to know where you live and what your struggle looks like because I’m certain that we’re the norm rather than the exception. We’re working hard, and we’re out of breath from chasing the American dream, so let’s unite our voices and help to change the narrative around what it’s really like to make it out here. The only shame we should feel is that we’ve shouldered poverty alone for too long.
And here’s the other thing: stand in your power when you’re telling your story.
Your truth and your dignity can only be compromised if you encourage it. Speak the facts about working and struggling and not getting ahead. Tell the story of how you’re doing the best you can with what you have. Your strength is that you keep going despite the systemic barriers.
Hold onto that as you’re sharing.
Let’s work together to shut down the poverty porn industry.
Onward,
Amy Jo
