One of the big disconnects that I noticed during the years I worked with agencies engaged in LBJ’s War on Poverty is that there was abundant individual listening and recognition of what was happening and what was possible and what were likely to be solutions, but there were little institutional listening that could guide policies, programs, and resources to help.
Some of my daughter’s friends in international health over the past decade have the same experience of their “helping” careers.
This American life shows exactly how that plays out in Appalachia. Joshua Wilkey is going beyond asking that all us folks in the peanut gallery be our compassionate selves and listen.
Great article. Thanks.
A terrific article.
There is a certain ethic among those who work on poverty issues – a tendency NOT to listen. I am as guilty of that as anyone – probably more guilty. The political response to the loss in 2016 has been to do everything BUT listen. Solutions are proposed that certainly do not come from the poor, and advocates seldom begin by listening.
I saw it even when I worked for Legal Aid.
I follow Chris Arnade on twitter – he is worth the follow. He is touring the country and actually talking to people. He isn’t right about everything but at least he is attempting to understand the poor.
There is a line buried in the movie Fight Club that has a lot of truth. The protagonist winds up going to support groups for people who are dying.
He says when people think you are dying they actually listen to you, rather than waiting for their turn to speak.