In our fast-paced, consumer-driven U.S. economy, where youth are prone to demand things now — unable or unwilling to delay gratification like their elders did years ago, there’s one thing that stops all dreams, actions and thoughts — no matter how young or old you may be. It’s called hunger.
Many Americans assume that hunger is something that only occurs in war-torn countries or in Third World nations. When we have visions of starving children, we often tend to give them Black faces while insisting that they live in places like Uganda, Ethiopia or Rwanda. But the truth is, hunger is quickly becoming one of our countries most critical, life-threatening issues.
Have you ever gone to bed with hunger pains nagging at you and keeping you from sleep? Have you ever gotten up in the morning just wishing that you could have a bowl of cereal or a few slices of toast and bacon to fill your stomach — a stomach still empty from the night before? Have you ever been forced to swallow your pride and stand in long lines at a county or state office hoping that you will qualify for food stamps? Have you ever looked into the eyes of your children and been unable to say from where their next meal will come?
The need for food in Miami-Dade County in particular and the four-county area of South Florida in general has reached levels not seen since the mid-1990s. More and more families are being forced to choose between paying the mortgage and buying groceries. And Blacks are leading the way with children and senior citizens suffering the most.
There was once a time when Blacks extended their arms and opened their doors to those in our community who were hungry and suffering. Do we still have that kind of spirit or have we taken on a philosophy of “me, myself and I?”
Predictions are that things will get worse and lines for food will get longer before we see a turn for the better. We must become our brothers and sisters keepers.
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