No Crystal Stair: The Poetry of Poverty

WINNING STRATEGIES IN THE RACE AGAINST POVERTY Karen Young, Presenter | Multicultural Ministries Dept.

The Salvation Army | USA Central |TERRITORIAL SOCIAL SERVICES CONFERENCEAPRIL 28-30, 2015 | Indianapolis, IN

“Poor is not who you are. Poor describes your circumstances—

and circumstances can change.” – Rev. Julian DeShazier

From “The Line,” a documentary chronicling the new face of poverty in America.

Writing Process

AN INTERVIEW WITH ETIENNE NDAYISHIMIYE

Dust & Stones

The Batwa

» What is your first response to the story of the Batwa?

» What are your first thoughts about poverty and poetry as expressed in the interview with Etienne?

» How is Etienne’s story about poverty a universal one?

POVERTY:Photolanguage

»What is poverty?»How has poverty affected

your life?

» Poverty looks like …» Poverty tastes like …» Poverty feels like …» Poverty smells like …

» What does the picture you chose say about poverty?

» How does it speak to your personal experience?

» What values, beliefs, or cultural messages did you receive about poverty and the reasons that people are poor from your family of origin and others that you spent much time with growing up?

POETRY Readings

» What is the poem saying about poverty?

» What strategy do you think is needed to “win the race against poverty?”

haiku

Thank you!

Winning Strategies In the Race Against Poverty