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Sufferers of poverty are affected by pollution probably more than any other focus group. But, as perspective is the key to this discussion, I believe that we need to keep those who are victims of poverty in a healthy perspective.

We tend to assume that the poor choose to be poor. We believe they simply don't try. Often we lay their plight at the steps of governments who don't do enough.

I believe that we must look much deeper within ourselves before throwing any blame on anyone entity or group.

I have known people who are poor because they didn't choose to do better. Sometimes they are responsible for a lot of pollution for the same reason that they remain poor. They don't choose to try to clean up after or around themselves.

I have seen the plight of thousands who are victims of governments who practice genocide, if by no other fashion than to starve their own people and give a lack of clean water systems, or facilities. There even some governments who react poorly to those who would step in and help a village or group to learn how to fend for themselves and to help provide what they are not capable of providing themselves.

I also see the person across the street. The elderly neighbor whose yard is full of beer cans thrown by kids driving down the street on Friday or Saturday night. Broken glass sin their yards because of careless litter bugs, or thoughtless games. These leave unsafe conditions for people to live around. I've gone to help one or two of these neighbors and they are so glad to see someone who cares enough just to notice, and cleaning up their yard is a bonus.

I have seen programs about children who must live off of garbage dumps and felt like throwing up.

I've seen the wealthy throw their refuge upon the poverty stricken by a lack of caring for their rental properties that these people have to live in.

We let people of poverty, and the homeless fall through the cracks. We see them and walk on by without even thinking of asking if we can give them a hand up. We fear them, degrade them, and pollute their areas even more by moving in with our bulldozers and pushing over vegetation that holds the very soil they need from falling into the rivers.

And those of us who aren't poverty stricken who go to McDonald's, Wendy's, or other fast food and convenience stores, throw our trash out the car window rather than collect it until we reach the next garbage can.

So, no I cannot lay pollution at the door of poverty.

But, I can lay poverty at our doors and careless nature as the polluters.

Learn more about this author, Glenda K. Fralin.
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