Analysis of a Columnist
For the purpose of this paper, the selected columnist is Carter Stewart. He authored the article “Money Rarely Solves Complex Social Problems.” He is a former American Attorney for the Ohio district. At present, he is serving as the managing director of Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation. According to the columnist, money has been used at all levels (the local, state and federal levels) (Carter par. 2). Despite the case, the use of illegal drugs in America has not been reduced. The columnist also cites a range of other issues such as addiction, mass incarceration, and systemic poverty. According to him, these issues are symptoms of other deeply rooted critical challenges. Carter feels that capital cannot be sufficient in solving these issues. Rather, what is needed is not only empathy but also the willingness of people to transform the prevailing conditions, which contribute towards the creation of inevitabilities of the majority of inequities.
The columnist feels that the inequities are caused by the assumptions that Americans currently hold (Carter par. 3). He accounts for some of these postulations. He names them as the poor as the parties to blame for their life situation, that the convicted offenders (felons) should not be handed any sympathy, and that specified racial groups are more likely to engage in criminal behavior. There is also a prevalent belief that these outcomes cannot be changed. Given such stereotypes, the author feels that there is no way that money can be successful in changing the society. To affirm his position, Carter takes the reader back to the historical times in which segregation was in its prime stages (Carter par. 4). During this time, Carter informs that civil right leaders needed money support to facilitate their fight against inequality. However, it is the sight of people rejecting the advances of segregation that the inequalities were mitigated. The columnist concludes his thoughts by indicating that, to promote widespread changes, it is necessary to harness collective action, which advances justice, transition perspective and sets the foundation for holistic change. According to the author, this journey should be gradual.
Thesis
In line with Carter’s thoughts, this paper takes the standpoint that money cannot solve the various social issues that prevail in the society. Rather, it can only play a supportive role to the willingness of the people to eliminate the various conditions that create the social issues including people’s mindset.
Possible examples that could be used
The ideas advanced by Gabriel Salguero could also be used to exemplify the thesis statement documented above. The columnist stresses that the investment ought to be holistic if human flourishing is to be secured. Salguero (par. 2) makes it known that streamlining the social scene is not solely about finances. Rather, there has to be a sacrifice, difficult decision, as well as, cultural change. At the heart of this course are ingenuity, human kindness, as well as, solidarity with the most vulnerable. Such a holistic discourse, according to the columnist, will be effective in delivering corollary impact in different life spheres including justice, education, and employment.
As examples, the ideas presented by Salguero and Man indeed provide essential support to the position that I took founded on the column by Carter. Given that the two examples have been given by people with expertise in social issues, it follows that my position, and the ideas advanced by Carter, are sound and credible.
Any foreseeable problems
I do not see any problem in the column by Carter. His ideas are succinct and coherent. The columnist addresses the topic rather comprehensively. He provides excellent logic and justifies his claims with plausible arguments. While this is the case, it would have been ideal if the columnist employed the use of examples. This is important as it tends to add validity to an article. Nevertheless, his message is clear and well understandable. His experience, or expertise, with Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides credibility to his article.
Works Cited
Carter, Stewart. Money Rarely Solves Complex Social Problems. The New York Times., 2 June 2016. Web. 2 June 2016. From:<www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/06/02/100-million-to-change-the-world-with-a-macarthur-grant-2/money-rarely-solves-complex-social-problems>
Mani, Anandi. Group Incentives Can Be Applied to Social Problems. The New York Times., 2 June 2016. Web. 2 June 2016. From:<www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/06/02/100-million-to-change-the-world-with-a-macarthur-grant-2/group-incentives-can-be-applied-to-social-problems>
Salguero, Gabriel. Investment Must be Holistic to Promote Human Flourishing. The New York Times., 2 June 2016. Web. 2 June 2016. From:<www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/06/02/100-million-to-change-the-world-with-a-macarthur-grant-2/investment-must-be-holistic-to-promote-human-flourishing>
