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BE RICH IN THE MIDST OF POVERTY
Dickson P. Pagente
Class of 2006, Central Mindanao University
BSE English
Defining poverty in whatever way we like does not give us even a little idea on how to solve it. Considering its
etymology cannot even help. Brilliant economists and political leaders from the different parts of the world
have been talking a lot with one common advocacy – to totally eradicate poverty in the world. Undoubtedly,
they are sincere to get the poor out from poverty by implementing all possible economic and political reforms.
The question is, do these reforms help? Yes, they definitely do. No questions about it. Do these reforms totally
eradicated poverty? The answer is a big NO, it didn’t. So when will poverty be extinct? Sad to say, nobody
knows. Maybe it will but until humanity is dead. What a terrible projection if it will happen for real.
However, many people don’t realize that poverty does not only bring negative thoughts and feelings like
hopelessness. Instead, poverty promises hope if you’ll just learn to look at the positive side of it. Consider the
following points and reflect on it.
1. Get out, don’t get barred! Being immersed in the midst of poverty should not suppose to enclose you behind
bars where you find no way out. This is the challenge: your being poor should kindle a burning desire in your
heart to find any means that can at least make a difference in your life.
2. Get rid of “fatalistic mentality.” According to my History Professor in college, “fatalism (the belief in fate)
hinders our determination to succeed in life.” Most people take fate as a predestined situation or condition in
our lives in the future. So, when you firmly believe that it is your “fate” to be poor, you will no longer find any
means to get out from poverty. What’s the significance of finding means if you believe that it is your “fate” to
be poor anyway?
3. Some rich are poor themselves. If poverty is a state of scarcity or insufficiency of something, then poverty
does not only exist among the poor. Though rich people are more than financially sufficient, many of them are
emotionally insufficient. Some of them crave for the love from their families. Others feel the lack of
appreciation from their peers. These make them poor in a way. Being rich doesn’t guarantee happiness as most
wise men say.
Poverty is caused by interrelated factors within us and in our society. Blaming any one of these factors does not
help us to solve it. Helping hand in hand rather can make a big difference. Being poor doesn’t make you less of
a person. Being rich but lonely is much frustrating than being poor but happy. And this makes the bottom line
of the matter.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Define poverty in your own words.
2. What do you mean by fatalistic mentality?
3. If you were to change the title of the essay, what would it be and why?
4. Explain this statement, “some rich are poor themselves.”
5. What do you think are these interrelated factors that caused poverty?