by Kathleen M. Jacobs, West Virginia Watch
July 2, 2025
While I should know better, I continue to be caught off-guard by the growing number of people throughout the nation and the state of West Virginia who can’t seem to see the forest for the trees. Historically, West Virginia has made the list of one of the poorest states in the union and continues to make that list — year after year, decade after decade, which just adds to the incredulity of the number of voters who continue to put in the most powerful positions to lead the state and her people the same candidates of the same ilk. They’ve been drinking the Kool-Aid long before the current powers that be in D.C. and in Charleston took office — now though, the consumption appears to be limitless.
Following the repeat cycle that keeps West Virginia on that list is, without a doubt, the single most destructive element in moving us forward. And with the last presidential election and West Virginia’s gubernatorial election, our chances of being forever removed from that list continue to dwindle. Still, when asked (and here’s where it gets really unnerving), the majority of voters in the U.S. and in this state would, given the chance, elect the same leaders.
How is that possible when these leaders are doing everything in their power to make certain that the marginalized among us — you know who they are — continue to receive as little help from the federal and state governments as possible? This segment of society is being scraped to the marrow. Every effort to make it to the top of a very slippery slope only brings about more change that is not in their favor, until they once again slide down to the bottom. It is impossible for those not marginalized to continue to ignore the marginalized. This segment of our society has no choice but to keep grabbing that rope that is thrown to them and that is already thin and try to make the climb again — and again.
The definition of ignorant is that you simply don’t know. But how can you claim to be ignorant of a clear sign of intentional degradation of a growing segment of the population, when it is in clear view? And if you truly don’t know about the challenges, then let go of your claim to ignorance and educate yourself and then ask yourself what you can do to improve the lives of the less fortunate among us.
When the federal government eliminates programs that are in place to help the marginalized in our country, our states, and our communities we must step up to the plate and do what we can. This directive is not debatable. Mother Teresa said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed one.” And, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
I recently read a work by Anne Lamott titled, “Somehow: Thoughts on Love.” The book forces the reader to confront uncomfortable truths, reminding us of our humanity. If you’re often left wondering how you can help those among us less fortunate, this book is filled with so many “can do” suggestions, and with such minimal effort. Yes, you can donate food to a food pantry or send your read books to the Appalachian Prison Book Project. Yes, you can write a check (no matter how minimal) to those who are suffering from the devastating recent floods in our state. And yes, you can discover what the charitable organizations are doing throughout your community and find a way to participate. In the end, each of us matters. It’s a shame that we’ve lost that most certain acknowledgment.
Until we reinstate what we’ve lost politically, we must find a way — each of us — to make a conscious decision/effort to do what we can. We can’t keep turning away by suggesting that we don’t know that the problems exist. We can’t keep putting more and more weight on ignorance, when we know that we, in fact, know that these situations are front and center throughout our country, our states and our communities. Do something.
Make no mistake about it, this — all of this — is about politics. Perhaps it’s always been about politics, but never has the political scene been so fractured as to make certain that the underserved among us are becoming the first to be pushed so far to the edge that a plummet is on the horizon. We can’t let that happen. Stop leaning on ignorance and educate yourself and find a way to bring some dignity back to the people who suffer most.
West Virginia Watch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. West Virginia Watch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Leann Ray for questions: info@westvirginiawatch.com.