World Day for Overcoming Poverty Commemoration Event, New Orleans, LA Sunday, October 20, 2013 – 2-5pm – ATD Fourth World 7th Ward Neighborhood Center

In New Orleans, the Word Day for Overcoming Poverty was marked at the ATD Fourth World 7th Ward Neighborhood Center on Sunday, Oct. 20. Friends and members both new and old gathered for a program that focused on personal testimonies of struggles and strength in front of situations of poverty and exclusion. Many people spoke or presented for the first time, including Troy who told about why it’s important for him to encourage young people, especially the young men around him, to continue with school. Troy knows himself the added difficulties life presents without a solid education behind you and he looks for ways to share that knowledge with young people. He said, “The other day I saw a young kid getting off the bus for school, dragging his feet, looking like he didn’t really want to go. I said to him, ‘I know it seems hard, but you’ve got to stay on it now. You need to go, bro. You need the experience of school. Without school it’s rough in the world.’”

Not only did Troy take part by speaking of his own experiences, he joined many other neighbors around the 7th Ward Neighborhood Center in exemplifying a key element of this gathering by inviting other people to attend with them. There was a great turn out of people who attended for the first time, mostly because a friend or family in the neighborhood encouraged them to join us.

Queen Chief Warhorse of the Tchefuncta Nation Chahta Tribe, whose community is just north of New Orleans, came to speak about the discrimination they have faced historically and still face today. Her central point developed to include all people who are discriminated against and experience poverty. Her affirmation that we are all of the same earth, live here together, and need to come together to take care of the earth and each other was echoed by other comments and testimonies during the commemoration. During the discussion held afterwards, Sr. Joanne responded, “We are not meant to live like this, it doesn’t need to be this way,” referencing the book written by ATD Fourth World Movement members in New Orleans last year “Not Meant to Live Like This: Weathering the Storm of our Lives”.

Dierdre and Hubert sang throughout the event and Imam Rafeeq presented the New Orleans City Council Proclamation recognizing the principles and importance of the World Day for Overcoming Poverty.

The second part of the gathering was for people to meet, get to know one another, and continue discussing the topics and ideas that emerged from the testimonies. Many discussed in informal groups spread out around the yard while others sat together to work on a simple art activity that brought out messages, thoughts, and lasting impressions from this World Day for Overcoming Poverty.

A few of the messages:
“Grow up and be free. We will never be slaves again.” Raven, 9 years old
“Unity will guide our footsteps.”
“Working together toward a world without discrimination is possible as it begins with me.”’
“Every person counts.”
“Caring neighbors make strong communities.”
“Teach the children.”
“Respect all of God’s creation and live in peace.”