Back-to-school Info

BACKGROUND

Many families of color face financial problems, especially those who immigrated to the United States. The wealth gap for many people of color has caused a dramatic shift in their lifestyle and family dynamics due to the lack of education, cultural differences, and experiences. It has led many people of color to work two to three jobs to survive, but they continue to face financial crises.

Low-income communities of color are due to many factors—for instance, immigrants and refugees migration to the United States without any education on the cultural setting. Upon arrival to the United States, language barriers, social change, and unaware opportunities have forced immigrants and refugees to survive in the United States without any resources for growth.

As the cost of living rises, people working at minimum wage, even holding down multiple jobs, struggle to survive. According to 2018 US Census Data, the highest poverty rate by race is found among Native Americans (25.4%), with Blacks (20.8%) having the second-highest poverty rate and Hispanics (of any race) having the third-highest poverty rate (17.6%). Whites had a poverty rate of 10.1%, while Asians had a poverty rate of 10.1%.

In addition to financial living, people of color are in integrated spaces that are patterns of white dominance that are inevitable. These patterns include issues of legitimized academic language, perfectionism, fear of open conflict, a scapegoat for those who cause discomfort, and a sense of urgency that takes precedence over inclusion.

Numerous studies have documented that providing spaces for people of color assists in their living situations by providing their own cultural space to gather and share resources. Enriching resources of unaware opportunities, education, charitable contribution, and programs increase the chance of success for communities of color, especially immigrants and refugees adjusting to the United States.

The Impact

Across the US, families are struggling with high inflation. Many families must choose between necessities, food, rent, and utilities. The rise in living expenses has left parents to cut back on discretionary purchases and take on a heavier burden to pay for essential items.

Regardless of income, many parents notice their income isn’t going as far as it once did. CNN interviewed several parents with different income statuses and noticed a commonality. Their income was not enough to keep their household running comfortably.

According to CNN,

“Shopping for back-to-school essentials is becoming a real struggle for families whose household budgets are stretched to the max by surging inflation.”