First, thanks for the assistance with gambling info from the group!

It is a difficult matter to determine the individual components involved in
disadvantage and which are due to
1. Prior situation of disadvantage such as chronic poverty, immigration, or
"apartheid"
2. Race
3. Income or education
4. Culture often associated with race but also associated with other Ways
of Living associated with class

Even geographic location can be important as was apparent in a review of
the counties in the US that had lost the most population
Small towns had some losses, but minimal compared to major cities where
industries had failed (coal, steel, oil, manufacturing, agriculture,
mining) or where there were regional problems (borders, reservations,
Appalachia) There are also problems where massive immigration levels
increase needs significantly.

Overall, the most prosperous areas have the most professionals and
managerial types. But the most prosperous areas also have the lowest levels
of people with less than a high school education. Areas with high levels of
both seem to be overcome with the characteristics of poor health,
education, income, and general inefficiency from too many with too little
in all areas. Areas with low levels of less educated seem to be more
prosperous even without much greater levels of top status people.

A more prosperous view for all is avoiding leaving people behind,
especially large collections of poor with the lowest levels of education.

Still there are race considerations as noted by a black patient of mine who
was on a panel at a medical school and noted that not one of the white
medical students she had encountered had given her eye contact during
interactions at the meeting. Only 2 Asian Indians had done so. Those not
relating in a "normal" way were made aware in a most painful and public way
of some of the most frustrating differences.

It is difficult for someone not born with obvious markers of race to
understand what this involves. Black comedian Chris Rock illustrated this
"Even the white usher in this place wouldn't want to change places with me,
and I'm rich!"  Chris Rock, Bigger & Blacker (MCA 1999).

The challenge of continuing to attract the popular support of those
excluded who are of lower income and different race while also addressing
the attention and support of mainstream groups with greater incomes can
only be understood by such as Martin Luther King or those such as Gandhi.

However those born poor do have a different way of life with much greater
emphasis on areas such as relationships and entertainment. The racial
distribution of athletes also indicates different emphasis areas. Different
origins in low or middle class background can make it difficult to
transition to the academic way of life more common in higher income
populations. Individuals with low levels of versatility and maturity may
not be able to make the adjustments. For many it is a matter of time and
experience, but we have entry to college and professional school age
deadlines that are difficult to meet for those with any delay.

One thing is clear. It is important not to divide limited forces who might
embrace income or race perspectives as dominant. There simply are not
enough around for this.

Robert C. Bowman, M.D.
[log in to unmask]

Thanks for the excellent article from Dr. Bennett. I could not help but
wonder whether she was a family physician or not, reading her work. Dr.
Bennett attended Havergal College, obtained her degree in medicine from the
University of Toronto in 1974, and received her certification in Family
Medicine in 1976. She and her husband, Canadian film producer Peter
O'Brian, have two sons. Bennett worked as a family physician at Wellesley
Hospital and Women's College Hospital in Toronto from 1977 to 1997, and was
a founding partner in Bedford Medical Associates.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolyn_Bennett

I also suspect that she has had significant background or life experience
with disadvantaged peoples.

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