By Queennandi Xsheba PNN KEXU
Millions of americans have received their “hunger stimilation” payments but there are many more who have yet to get the aid. While there are “waves” that marginalize the masses, folks who receive SSI, SSDI, Veteran’s benefits or Railroad retirement have been placed on the back burner with a date pending in regards to when the stimulus payments will go out.
Bills are due and food needs to be put on the table, we cannot tell the bill collectors that we are in debt to that their money is “pending”, just like we can’t tell our children and elders that our meals are “pending” as far as hitting the table. That would be categorized as being negligent in today’s society and although a few corporations and institutions have granted small extensions to those who need a little bit more time to pay however, late fees and other penalties continue to accumulate resulting in deeper debt.
Earlier reports stated that the delay in the stimulus payments is mainly due to the failure of the SSA (social security administration) submitting the proper files to the IRS so that the funds are dispersed correctly to the people who receive government benefits. But I say, who knows?
The $1,400 “band-aid” is hardly enough for many to cover bills for a month, no to mention having to take care of the past due bills meaning that the stimulus check is spent before you even get a chance to smell the money. Rent in the bay area alone runs in the thousands monthly so how are the people to survive without recurring aid to those in need to stay afloat. It feels like you’re financially drowning and the powers that be keep throwing out life rafts that are riddled with holes.
The emergency COVID EBT food allowance has been slightly cut but not on a significant level, but folks are not making a “super fuss” about the small reduction because according to “how the people feel”, The EBT-COVID food allowance has been more consistent with the recurring, monthly emergency grant on a county level, while lawmakers are still coming up short when deciding on whether or not they are even going to decide to vote on any type of aid that runs concurrently.
Ever since the COVID pandemic began and even before, it has been communities of color who always get the short end of the stick when it comes down to receiving any kind of assistance during a natural disaster or a deadly epidemic. Whether it was the AIDS crisis, the massive earthquake of 1989, hurricane Katrina or even the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccination, us poor folks and people of color have always been the last priority. With that said, it is a felony crime against humanity to marginalize people because of income or race statuses because when it comes to LIFE, poverty and help from the powers that be should never be PENDING…
CR Queennandi Xsheba, PNN KEXU