DPSS - Department of Social Services. As part of my assignment in my Policy class, I visited DPSS. DPSS provide general relief financial funds to underprivileged citizens of United States of America.
It is a county run organization under the government of the US, and it opens at 8am. I was there at 7.35am and there was already a mile long line outside the office, much before it opened, and it was already 90 degrees F. before it strike 8am. I was okay, I didn't get burnt down, and neither did I lose my patience. It was just a new experience to see life of under poverty line citizens in developed country “America”
While standing in the line, many people stared at me especially guys. I felt as if I was back in Delhi where eve teasing is a 'normal' thing. There were different kinds of people – different age groups, different colors, all standing in one line. Sadly there were mostly two races, Black and Hispanic. I didn't see any Asian, White, Indian or even Middle Eastern person in the line...which I know do exist in America and many ARE living under poverty line. May be they weren’t there today or maybe they were just too ashamed to be there…
I got inside the office by 8.30am and explained my 'situation' to apply for general relief fund to the receptionist. He looked at me weird, and asked me bunch of questions. I replied all based on my story line (thank god for acting career from past) I guess he looked at me weird because I didn’t ‘look’ pitiable or broke.
The system of DPSS is a great way to support those people who are unable to make their money. I am so glad that many people get the chance to meet their minimum basic needs through the tax rich or affluent people pay. I also pay tax, higher than I can or more than I make but it is good to know that there is some return when and if I am in need, though I hope I never reach to that place. I am sure it is a very black and white system and the Grey shades hardly exist but it is better than many other systems which we just hear about but never get to reach to.
Taxes also help in social security, which older adults get when they can’t work and make money on their own, or is given to those who are disable and can’t work. It is such an awesome system, to save your money with government and get it as pension when one gets old. I wish India had similar systems. I know the pension system is there in India as well, and my father is a recipient of it because he was a government employee but my mom is not, though she paid taxes as a wife and as a mother. What makes American system interesting is that every single person who pay taxes get some sort of help back when they are in need, and they don’t have to be a government employee to receive this social security income/pension.
Well, back to my DPSS visit, I was kind of sad while standing in the line, acting as if I am a disadvantaged girl, who is pregnant with a casual boyfriend’s baby, and who needs help but I was still bearable in my own eyes. My friend, who was with me, felt the heat and poverty of people more than I did…I am glad she didn’t bitched or complained about it. Probably she has a history of her own too which I am not aware of…
I didn’t feel more than the physical discomfort, may be just because I have seen worse of everything in India, or maybe I have lived a life when I had no money, had no job and had no support in this country and when I wasn’t aware of these kinds of systems. Actually, not to put anyone down but I am glad I didn’t know these systems because I rather make less money than getting dependent of government to pay for my shit. Truthfully, the separation, the loneliness, the broken heart, and the emotional recovery, nothing…nothing killed me and that is what has made me stronger. Once again, to each its own and everyone carry their own cross. There are many who have come out stronger than I have, and there are many who lost the battle half way. Any which way, the best part of this whole system is to provide you assistance when you need it. May be it’s not enough, or maybe it is not perfect but it is good enough to feed yourself and the little baby, to give yourself and your family a shelter and cloths to cover your body. It is better than nothing, better than being a homeless. It is still much better than what Indian government provides, to its growing population, to its citizens, who live way under poverty line, and to those who live their whole life on street, waiting for the prayers to get answered by the unknown God or known government…
Today, after I visited DPSS, I read few articles about Social Security System and the privileges it comes with, and they made me sad. Articles talked truth, books talked data and my heart had only blood running through its veins, and data seemed to be part of paper, not part of my heart, my emotions. I will elaborate on it some other time…now it’s time to go to bed.
FYI it is freaking 93 degree F. in my house and I am pissed at heat, still Thank You God for the shelter, cloths and food you provide me on regular basis…Please be there for many developing countries and its citizens, the way you have been there for developed countries…
Damn, I do forget policies are black and white…often!!!
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