The essence of purposeful writing is to narrate, persuade, express, give directions and inform. I am “piggybacking” on a letter written published on March 10 by a Spring Hope writer.

The letter clearly implied that minority women are the ones using food stamps, accepting Medicaid, having children out of wedlock, living in section 8 housing projects and are responsible for our government’s $16 trillion deficit.

There are some members of our populace who are unfortunate, underemployed, and are without advantages; thereby taking certain advantages of our government assistance programs. But the vast majority of black teen women finish high school. A great number complete college or have some technical or community college experience. Some have their own businesses, and a lot of them have to work two or three jobs just to make the ends meet. This is not to even mention the majority who are married and contributing to the success and to the advancement of their families.

Now, all of us can sit back and criticize the shortcomings and the misfortunes of many. If our society does not make at least small contributions in order to solve some of our problems, then we are part of the problems.

Our government provides the “safety nets” of Social Security and Medicare for its citizens during the time of need.

The Spring Hope writer speaks of biblical scriptures in her conclusions. If I may, I would like to do the same. Matthew 25:40 says, “Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it to the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” The 16th chapter of Luke tells of a magnificent parable about a rich man named Divers and a poor man named Lazarus. The parable tells of events, which led to Divers eventually ending up in hell. God never made an indictment against all wealth, although at one time he told the rich young ruler to see all there-in, but here he was prescribing individual surgery, rather than rendering a universal diagnosis. Divers went to hell because he allowed Lazarus to become invisible and never saw him. Divers went to hell because he failed to maximize the minimum – he was too busy minimizing the maximum.

Divers went to hell because he refused to use his wealth that would have bridged the gulf that separated him from Lazarus. While in hell, the rich man lifted his eyes to see Lazarus slumbering in the bosom of Abraham.

I certainly do not think there are political figures anywhere promoting and encouraging people to seek public and government assistance. I sincerely hope that black and other minority women are not perceived as the sole ones who are responsible for the astronomical debt our country has acquired. Certainly, our previous president’s tax cuts for the super rich and the two unfunded wars must be taken in consideration. The many entitlement programs are vital in our flourishing society.

Robert 
E. Cordell Sr.

Rocky Mount