[California] CSUEB project explores poverty

From Inside the Bay Area

HAYWARD — The suffering of people at the bottom rung of American society will be thrust into the public eye in the coming weeks, as California State University, East Bay, prepares to begin its first "Poverty in America" month.

A photography exhibit featuring the work of Robert Terrell, a communications professor, will be on display from Tuesday through Feb. 28 at the main library. The photos will bring the focus close to home — they document the homeless and destitute in the Bay Area.

For Terrell, who has photographed the poor living everywhere from Berkeley to Kenya, poverty is personal.

"I grew up desperately poor, and I always felt that was a form of social abuse," he said. "I always vowed to myself that I would never forget what I had gone through, and I would never forget the people who are going through similar circumstances."

Arthur Jenkins, an adviser for Cal State East Bay's Student Life and Leadership Program, chose to launch the project after hearing about Terrell's photos from a group of students. "This is something that relates to every culture," he said, adding that the events would empower students to volunteer and to "give back" to the community.

On Jan. 16, students, faculty and staff will join members of the South Hayward Parish collective in a rally and holiday march to honor civil rights leader the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

A lecture and discussion on why poverty has persisted in wealthy nations such as America will take place Jan. 17 in the Biella Room of the library. A "Soup for the Soul" fund-raiser will be held Jan. 18 in front of the University Union. For a $2 donation to benefit the Alameda County Community Food Bank, participants will receive a bowl of vegetable soup, crackers and hot chocolate.

Terrell said he believes that "Poverty in America" would likely resonate with East Bay students, some of whom "come from desperately poor circumstances."

He said one student recently approached him after class and asked to borrow a textbook because her welfare check hadn't arrived. "It's not just the people on the street who are suffering," he said.

For more information, call student affairs at 510 885-3657.