If you click "Preview" above (by the orange update button) and then click on the map in the preview box and click on it again (to zoom in) it's not as blurry.
Controversy Map Description and Works Cited
For this map I decided to investigate the various methods that the poor are able to utilize to find employment, housing, or to try and get out of poverty. Many of the articles I researched noted various agencies and businesses that are willing to help the poor. However, in chapter 3 of Barbara’s book, she does not utilize these options.
How to read this map:
· Black arrows represent connections between various ideas in the map
· Purple arrows represent links from topics to their perspective articles (see works cited for full details of sources)
· The major categories in this map are as discussed below
Barbara’s Observations:
· To find a job when she first arrives in Minneapolis, she calls or drops off an application at each employer.
· She also utilizes the Star Tribune’s classifieds, and a periodical called Employment News (125).
o Both of the above methods show that she had to search for a job by herself.
· To find affordable housing, she had to contact each apartment directly or utilize the Star Tribune ads (which she notes are very limited) (138)
o This also shows that she did not utilize any agencies or government help
The Numbers:
· I included this section in the map to show the poverty rates in the area where Barbara was working (Hennepin and Ramsey Counties).
o In Hennepin County the rate is 13.7%
o In Ramsey County the rate is 17.2%
· I also included the Blue Earth County rate of 16.9% to connect Mankato to the discussion.
· The state average is 11% which is confirmed by three different sources (as noted by the purple arrows)
· These numbers provide the reader with an idea of the metro area’s poverty rate.
Article Research, Ways to Decrease Poverty:
· The Minnesota Budget project focuses on the state government as a means to help decrease poverty. They note that it is important for the state not to cut programs that help the poor when they are trying to balance the state government.
· A legislative report from the Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 states that there are several means for helping the poor. These include:
o Businesses
o Faith Communities (such as churches)
o The Federal Government
o Nonprofits
· They also touch on the fact that affordable housing must be provided to truly help the poor because many people cannot afford the security deposits and are forced to pay for a hotel room every night. This was a problem which Barbara encountered when she got to Minneapolis.
Article Research, Welfare Programs
· A fact sheet on welfare from the Minnesota Department of Human Services states that Minnesota’s welfare system is much more developed than many other states’ across the country.
· They note that 66% of welfare recipients in the state were located in the 11 counties in the metro area. This is mostly because the metro is more highly populated than many other counties, but also shows that the metro area is heavily affected by poverty. This is relevant to Barbara’s situation because this is where she was working.
· The fact sheet also states that $54 million was spent on Minnesota welfare programs in 2009. This shows that many poor people are utilizing these important programs.
Comparison
· Although many of the articles note that agencies are an important part of helping the poor, Barbara fails to utilize these agencies in her search for jobs and housing. In this respect there is a major clash between Barbara’s experiences and what the articles claim for poverty. I would imagine that if Barbara were more established in Minneapolis, she may have been able to utilize more of the programs that are reviewed in the articles. This is why I did not include an arrow from Barbara’s experiences and the methods in the lower half of the the map. If there were more room in the map I would include an arrow with an X in it to indicate that there is a clash between Barbara’s methods of dealing with poverty and the way the articles say to deal with poverty.
Where I Fit In to the Map
· I agree with the articles more than Barbara’s experiences. I feel that in a time of great economic decline, such as the current time, there are many agencies available to help the poor. Specifically I think it should be the duty of the state government as well as the federal government to provide for the poor. Whether this is through funding of other agencies or the creation of government agencies to help, it should be the duty of these two governments to provide assistance to the lower class.
Works Cited
Boyd, Cynthia. "Poverty Rate Rises in Minnesota While Giving to Help Poor Has Declined." Poverty Rate Rises in Minnesota While Giving to Help Poor Has Declined. MinnPost, 14 Sept. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
Ehrenreich, Barbara. Nickel and Dimed: On (not) Getting by in America. New York: Holt Paperbacks, 2008. Print.
Kassel, Kathleen. "2010 County-Level Poverty Rates for MN." ERS/USDA Data. Economic Research Service, 2 Dec. 2011. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
Mariani, Carlos, Morrie Lanning, John Marty, and Claire Robling. Legislative Report. Rep. Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020, Jan. 2009. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
"Poverty Rises Significantly in Minnesota, Median Income Falls." Home. Minnesota Budget Project, 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
"Welfare in Minnesota: Facts and Figures." Minnesota Department of Human Services. Minnesota Department of Human Services, Sept. 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2012.
