EDL 711
Pete Prichard
Prompt 3
Wright State University

Prompt 3: Questions for Dr. Payne
If you had the opportunity to visit with Dr. Payne over coffee, what are two open-ended questions you would likely ask her regarding the framework?

I mentioned in an earlier post that I attended a “Bridges out of Poverty” workshop several years ago. This workshop issued a “Bridges out of Poverty “workbook and it was conducted by Philip E. DeVol and Terie Drussi Smith. These presenters co-authored the “Bridges out of Poverty” book along with Ruby Payne. This workshop addressed a small audience of 20-25 people so we were able to ask a lot of questions about the different cultures and gain some real insight into our own perceptions about the poor, middle class and wealthy. Since the workshop was so small Philip DeVol sat with me and another coworker during lunch and we had the opportunity to ask him several open ended questions, it was much like the scenario in the prompt. Most of the questions centered on the poverty culture and how we can better reach them. I think I would ask Ruby Payne some to the same questions to gain a full benefit of her and her colleague’s perspective. I would also ask some questions that have come to mind since then and since I recently got reacquainted with her work.

1. The first question I would ask is: What keeps people in poverty and how does someone break out of generational poverty?

This question has fascinated me for some time now. I have wondered how people in the poverty culture continue to stay in that culture and why would they choose to stay there. After years of experience working with people in this culture I began to observe that all people have support systems that they rely on. These support systems can be good or bad relationships and often a resource is used as a bargaining chip or leverage to control someone in these relationships. This control is what I see as a huge barrier, however I know that there are other barriers as well. Knowing this, I wonder how a person in a generational poverty family can ever get out of that situation. I know that education is a huge step, but what other steps does one have to take in order to transition out of poverty?

2. How can attitudes or actions that we take keep individuals in poverty?

The rational for this question stems from the thought that I could perpetuate one staying in poverty by a subconscious attitude or action. I am troubled to think that what I believe to be a good deed could create a persistence of one not wanting to change or grow. I wonder if all of our efforts to provide services to those in need create a condition that is known as “learned helplessness”. I am aware that certain behaviors contribute to one living in the poverty, but can my actions also contribute to its continuance?

I think these questions would create a dialogue that will generate more questions. I also think that it would motivate me to study the cultures in more detail and learn how I can help grow or aspire to achieve more. Finally at very least, I think the conversation would make me more aware of the poverty culture, the middle class culture and the culture of the wealthy which will help me to be more empathetic. If being more empathic is all anyone can take out a conversation I think much was gained.