Imagine yourself telling your story and racing to the microphone. But you are blocked by a sea. You don’t have the credentials to stand before it. You see people on the opposite side and quickly realize that they have power and social mobility. Their entire experience is designed in a way that allows them to operate without you even knowing. They have the financial, social and political capital to do this. They also have the means to tell stories. They don’t pray to be heard; they know they will be heard.
On the other hand, you don’t have any of these. You don’t have a huge name. You don’t have a large bank account. Every title you hold — woman, mother, person of color, person living in poverty — is devalued. This is the fate of working-class families, especially mothers, early childhood educators workers, and anti-poverty activists. On the other hand, political leaders have the luxury to engage you and your community only when it is in their best interests, such as for photo ops, election season, or for financial gain.
It is hard to see leaders who are disconnected with the struggle of working families controlling the microphone and the platform. They dictate the narrative about those who are struggling. They are able to ignore those who are unable to make ends meets, which is even worse.
What I’m describing is not an intro to a fictitious work. Some, like myself, are from places such West Virginia where Sen. Joe Manchin has ample opportunities to share his austere perspective, despite the fact that he displays contempt for those who are less fortunate.
Manchin, for example, is a politician who views poverty as a character defect and not a problem caused by policy. For example: Manchin killed the extension of the Child Tax Creditwhich would have lifted many children out of poverty. Refusing to extend the credit meant an estimated 4 million children — 50,000 in his own state — returned to poverty. Manchin’s gripe: The measure didn’t have strict work requirements. However, such requirements are rigid and punitive for mothers without access or caregivers of children with special needs, grandparents, parents in schools, and other individuals with unique circumstances. There are no provisions that can address all facets of life.
Plus, millions upon millions of children are now back in poverty. Yet, their advocates and caregivers have never had the chance to express their frustrations. They saw those in power ignore the needs of the poor, and they were unable to offer a counter argument. This is because the majority of working people — including early childhood education workers — cannot capture the attention of those in power.
As part of Team for West Virginia Children and Rattle The Windows, a group made up of West Virginia women and I took 500 teddy bears with us to Washington, D.C. last year to represent the 50,000 West Virginia children who would be forced to return to poverty after the Child Tax Credit expired. We learned from national partners how to get a permit, how to position ourselves physically to ensure that the teddy bears could be seen by elected officials, and how to contact congressional offices. If we didn’t have funding for the trip, or a firm to help us, we would not have known the mechanics of effectively engaging elected leaders. The truth is that most Americans wouldn’t even know where to start if they wanted to plan an action at the nation’s capital. Our policy makers are blocked by rules and gatekeepers that most of us don’t know. It is nearly impossible to attract the attention of elected representatives. Advocates are often told that they should wait until their elected leaders are in the district. However, there is no guarantee that policy makers will meet us even if they have an address down the street. It is not enough to schedule a meeting. It is not a guarantee that elected officials will show up on the scheduled date and be available to talk with us in good faith.
It is painful to watch people like policy makers — people who are never searching for a microphone, platform or audience — disregard us, yet be offered one opportunity after another to make their case. The mainstream media covers their every move, every objection, and every illogical reason for making life more difficult for marginalized communities. They are given ample opportunities to express their opposition to policies that would improve the lives of working-class and poor people. A nation that supports the rich and despises those who are poor is not a country that offers working people a chance.
This country is currently experiencing a child-care crisis. For years, early childhood education has been lacking in funding. This has led to centers being unable retain staff. child care workers themselves are being paid poverty wagesFamilies in need of child care are being forced to go without, making it impossible for them to work. Due to systemic barriers, children and parents are not receiving the education they need. Families are now more squeezed because of rising inflation and rising housing prices. When will the working poor be asked for their opinion on policies that affect their ability to sustain themselves? What is the point of a press release about our lives? I don’t have the answer, but I do know that children and families will continue suffering until they are considered part of the solution.
