VIEWS CHANGE
Poverty 'discovered'
The nation has turned to the government for the solution of its social problems, said Clarke Chambers, speaking at yesterday afternoon's lecture sponsored by the history department.
Chambers is a professor of history at the University of Minnesota and is currently director of the Social Welfare History Archives Center at the University of Minnesota.
"SO OFTEN we are told that the mid-twentieth century is dominated by large corporations in education, government, welfare and labor," said Chambers. "There is a growing feeling of frustration that the small group has no control, we are overwhelmed by business."
Our society is dedicated to material abundance, Chambers said. "From the beginning, we have been a people of plenty, and this affects our view of poverty. The concept of poverty is a relative and subjective one," he said.
"Earlier and less sophisticated generations knew that the undeserving poor deserved one thing; their poverty," said Chambers.
CHAMBERS SAID that education has been the key over the years to combat poverty. In view of this tradition, "it was only natural that Project Headstart was the most enthusiastically received poverty program," he said.
A sharp distinction was made between the deserving and the undeserving poor until the mid-19th century, Chambers said. "The 19th century economy was enormously erratic, with violent swings up and down," he said.
New attitudes toward the poor began being formed at this time. "Poverty began to be thought of as due to something other than chance, fate or immorality," Chambers said.
"BY THE END of the 19th century, America had slums and social cannibalism like Europe." Chambers said. "In that drastic new historical situation, thinking men and women discovered poverty."
After the new discovery of poverty, the first task was to gather evidence and give it publicity. Chambers said. "Social roots and consequences had to be discovered," he said.
"This was the progressive era of reform and it was characterized by a real concern with pressing problems." Chambers said. "Voluntary associations for the achievement of reform were organized at this time (1890-1910)."
CHAMBERS SAID, "Politicians
Arabs plan Palestine celebration
To commemorate the day Arabs were exiled from Palestine, the Organization of Arab Students will have a film and lecture tomorrow at 7 p.m. in 303 Bailey Hall.
The day corresponds to the day in 1948 when Israel declared independence and Britain withdrew from Palestine. Arabs were driven from Palestine through the creation of Israel, according to an organization publication.
The actual date is May 15 but because of scheduling difficulties, the program will be held on the 18th said Ibrahim Rebdi, Saudi Arabia sophomore and vicepresident of the organization.
M. T. Mehdi, secretary-general of the Action Committee of Arab American Relations, will speak on the Palestine question.
came around to progress when it became a popular issue."
world War I distracted the American people, said Chambers. "The 1920's brought a general advance in living standards and public indifference and apathy towards those who did not share in the wealth at hand."
The Stock Market crash of 1929 brought poverty back to the forefront, Chambers said. "With Franklin D. Roosevelt's inauguration, the country saw renewed efforts and an expansion of poverty programs," he said.
THE 1303'S saw a period of "mass poverty." Chambers said.
"The middle one-third of American life received the most benefits from the New Deal." Chambers said. In 1937, he said, brought the stalemate of the New Deal.
"In the post war years, following World War II and the Korean War," said Chambers, "Americans saw high employment and a rise in the gross national product. Americans again lapsed into indifference over domestic social concerns at this time.
"AMERICA'S poverty stricken were out of sight, out of mind and out of heart." Chambers said. "The period following the war was one of consolidation and moderation, having some similarities to the 1920's."
Chambers said the "poor were scattered and invisible, isolated in dark pockets. They were the least articulate segment of our
population. The middle class was greatly removed from their plight, those who might have been concerned were kept aloof from the problem.
"The concern of labor leaders was for the security of those who had jobs." Chambers said.
PUBLIC WELFARE and settlement workers were alert, Chambers said. "The general attitude toward poverty, in the 1950's, was due to personal inefficiency," he said.
In the late 1950's, a handful of concerned began to chart unsettling social developments, Chambers said.
"Those close to the poor discovered the same things that were discovered in the 1890's and the 1920's. The poor didn't remain poor by choice. They want to get up and out, to escape," Chambers said.
CHAMBERS SAID the ideas and programs used now were developed in the 1950's.
"A revolution of color here and abroad had the largest impact on public opinion," he said. "Black, like black, was the color of poverty."
Out of this ferment and rising concern, came the rediscovery, in the early 1960's, of poverty, said Chambers. "The industrial professional classes played a crucial role. They were a saving remnant and starting with John F. Kennedy, many new programs to break the vicious cycle of poverty were begun."
African dancers to don bras
MEXICO CITY —(UPI)— The African Ballet members who have appeared topless throughout the world will wear bras for their performances in Mexico.
refused to give the group a permit unless the dancers' breasts were properly covered.
An announcement said Mexican government theater censors
Daily Kansan 5
Tuesday, May 17, 1966
In 1986
Halley's Comet will be dropping around again.*
Let's plan a big welcome.
*Watch this paper for time and place.
ANHEUSER-BUSCH, INC. • ST. LOUIS • NEWARK • LOS ANGELES • TAMPA • HOUSTON
ARRAYED FOR TRADE
To go honourably among the mercantile gentlemen of the town, a newly hatched, fledgling scholar requires correct plumage. Such feathers are now to be seen, hopefully for a flocking together with solid citizens of enterprise.
University Shop
THE Town Shop DOWNTOWN