Archive for the ‘Understanding Poverty’ Category

Poverty and Food

Friday, April 15th, 2005

Chronic hunger has been all but eliminated in the United States. Experts instead measure “food insecurity,” and it afflicts about eleven percent of people in North Carolina, according to the USDA. Many people living with food insecurity are also overweight. Host Melinda Penkava leads a conversation about hunger, food stamps, and obesity. Guests include: Barbara Laraia, professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; David Super, professor of law at the University of Maryland; Chris Fitzsimon, director of the North Carolina Policy Watch; and Paul Bloom, professor of marketing at UNC – Chapel Hill. Listener Call-In. (59:00)

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Poverty and the Economy

Thursday, April 14th, 2005

For many people living near the poverty line, it all comes down to wages. Higher wages could mean a better standard of living. But jobs and pay are part of a much broader picture involving politics, the economy, and changes in the global marketplace. Host Melinda Penkava leads a roundtable discussion about the links between poverty and the economy. Guests include: Sheldon Danziger, professor of public policy at the University of Michigan; John Hood, president of the John Locke Foundation; and Sorien Schmidt, legislative director of the North Carolina Justice Center. Listener Call-In. (59:00)

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Legislature/Public Opinion of Poverty

Wednesday, April 13th, 2005

Legislative Round Up: North Carolina Public Radio — WUNC’s Laura Leslie joins host Melinda Penkava for a discussion of the myriad of issues facing the NC legislature — from the upcoming Senate vote on a lottery to the Charlotte/Mecklenberg school deconsolidation. (12:00)

Public Opinion About Poverty: As part of the series North Carolina Voices: Understanding Poverty, host Melinda Penkava speaks with Tim Vercelotti of Elon University about a public opinion poll that measures current public opinion in North Carolina about poverty. Duke professor Bob Korstad joins the conversation to put current opinion in a historical perspective and to talk about what has changed in the past 40 years. Listener Call In. (40:00)

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The North Carolina Fund

Tuesday, April 12th, 2005

In 1963, North Carolina Governor Terry Sanford introduced one of the most innovative, state-level, anti-poverty programs in the country. Comprised of 11 community action programs, the North Carolina Fund served as a model and a catalyst for President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty.” Host Melinda Penkava discusses the history of North Carolina’s own war on poverty with Jim Leloudis, professor of history at UNC-Chapel Hill; David Dodson, president of MDC, Inc.; Shirley Hise, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development for Mitchell County; and Joyce Clayton, director of Upward Bound of Durham County. Listener Call-In. (59:00) (JG)

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What Is Poverty?

Monday, April 11th, 2005

The answer to the question “What is Poverty?” is a complicated one, shaped by economic factors, community standards, and personal choice. A single mother of three working as a cashier in eastern North Carolina may qualify as poor in this country, but be considered wealthy in others. Host Melinda Penkava begins a two-week-long look at poverty on North Carolina Public Radio — WUNC by examining the most basic question: What is poverty? Guests include Robert Rector, senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation; and Mark Greenberg, director of policy for the Center for Law and Social Policy. Listener Call-In. (59:00)

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