tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post113388180042730685..comments2023-10-23T12:23:54.134-05:00Comments on Larry James' Urban Daily: Slum ConversationsLarry Jameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1134064188974613162005-12-08T11:49:00.000-06:002005-12-08T11:49:00.000-06:00There you go! No surprise at all. We have been s...There you go! No surprise at all. We have been seduced by materialism and a strictly economic view of the world.Larry Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1134063785881597302005-12-08T11:43:00.000-06:002005-12-08T11:43:00.000-06:00On a much smaller scale, I recently consulted with...On a much smaller scale, I recently consulted with a low-income member of my congregation about some ideas I have regarding outreach. It was the most useful conversation I've had in a long time. Her insights and perspective will prove invaluable to the success of our efforts.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14182852753097707529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1134059843519165842005-12-08T10:37:00.000-06:002005-12-08T10:37:00.000-06:00It relates directly in terms of untapped markets a...It relates directly in terms of untapped markets and the combined economic capacity/power of people at the bottom. That particular book makes it very clear that the poorest of the poor are consumers and evidence great intelligence concerning markets, technology and how to improve their own plight if given an opportunity. Great question.Larry Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1134058180854748332005-12-08T10:09:00.000-06:002005-12-08T10:09:00.000-06:00Random question - how do you think this relates to...Random question - how do you think this relates to the theories put forth in The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, which promotes the idea that companies should take low-income people seriously as a market?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1134052170257668982005-12-08T08:29:00.000-06:002005-12-08T08:29:00.000-06:00Janet, you speak truth here. But then, you usuall...Janet, you speak truth here. But then, you usually do! Thanks for all you do for our kids.Larry Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06124477733714017000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9827454.post-1134050490789211792005-12-08T08:01:00.000-06:002005-12-08T08:01:00.000-06:00>>We need to take our low-income neighbors much mo...>>We need to take our low-income neighbors much more seriously than we normally do, especially in our cities in America.<<<BR/><BR/>I had a conversation with one of our college students yesterday (a sophomore at Baylor). She made a 94% on her math test...quite a feat considering she struggled quite a bit with her first year in college. It also reminds me of yet another college student, a junior political science major at Stephen F. Austin, who is now making all A's and B's. She, too, struggled tremendously her freshman year. <BR/><BR/>None of the 10-15+ students that I've helped enter college have been prepared adequately enough. Every single one of them has had to have at least one developmental class (those are the courses they have to take and pay for...financial aid (at least at some schools) will not pay for them...but receive no credit for in order to continue on in college). <BR/><BR/>Yet, the two I referred to and quite a few others I know are persevering and becoming successful...and even proving to be academically bright (despite what their SAT's and other tests have shown). I can't help but wonder what could happen and what great things these students could do for the greater society if the local public elementary and high schools academically prepared them for college...and if "we, the people," made our voices heard that we want equal education for ALL kids. <BR/><BR/>We *do* need to take these kids (and adults) in our low-income communities seriously. They have a lot to offer us.Janet Morrison-Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13155012134161023319noreply@blogger.com