Uplifting Poor Communities

A Call to Action: Southern California

Dear Friends,

I want to begin by acknowledging my own feelings of guilt for not being firmer and more proactive in uplifting our community. There is a profound connection between our education, health, diet, and unchecked consumerism that has contributed to our ongoing struggles as citizens in this country.

We often overlook the numerous case studies and research that seek to answer the crucial question: What has led to our decline as a community? Why do we find ourselves in situations of poverty and witnessing the gentrification of our neighborhoods, leading us to places like Las Vegas, Moreno Valley, Antelope Valley, or Texas?

It’s important to recognize that the wealthy and powerful benefit from our status as consumers who are often depressed and uneducated. Pharmaceutical companies thrive on our illnesses, while mass producers of unnecessary goods encourage us to desire things we cannot afford, keeping us trapped in a cycle of financial struggle.

As we look towards 2025, we find ourselves repeating the same cliché statements each year to feel good for a brief moment, only to fall back into detrimental habits—excessive salt and sugar intake, lack of exercise, and spending on luxury brands, all while postponing our education.

What we truly need is a comprehensive lifestyle change. We should celebrate only significant victories—such as overcoming poverty or establishing our own bank accounts, or saving enough to send our children to college. Instead, we often celebrate empty moments, only to face the reality of financial strain the very next day. This misalignment of priorities leaves us vulnerable, allowing the rich and powerful to maintain their status while we struggle to make ends meet.

Achieving a lifestyle change requires a shift in mindset. We need to engage in deeper conversations about these issues, and I am committed to conducting extensive research to explore them further. There is even a connection between our community's engagement and our willingness to vote; unfortunately, we often shy away from awareness, which affects how we are treated by those in power. Ignorance can be bliss, but it often comes at our own expense.

Let us continue the work of awakening our community. Together, we can foster a culture of empowerment and resilience.

Sincerely,

Yusef Wiley