Former Sen. John Edwards spoke of the dire state of America's poverty crisis to a full audience of AU students in Bender Arena yesterday.
Since his term in the U.S. Senate and subsequent bid for the vice presidency, Edwards has become the director for the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He said his work there has compelled him to address both youth and adults across the country about the necessity of taking action to reform certain governmental programs, such as health care, minimum wage and welfare, that perpetuate the poverty cycle.
"Once we have will to do it ... a national commitment, we will find a way to pay for it," said Edwards who didn't provide details on funding these programs.
Throughout his speech, Edwards emphasized themes of hard work and equal opportunity for all citizens, making appeals to students' intellects and emotions to assume responsibility for initiating change, especially increasing the minimum wage.
"What is a national embarrassment is the minimum wage, and it should be raised," said Edwards, who called it a modern way to effectively fight poverty. "Congress should act today to raise the minimum wage in America. If Congress doesn't act, then states should."
Expanding early income tax rates, especially for single workers, providing for families to obtain assets and a system of baby bonds, like those used in England, are among the ways that Edwards believes will help those who are struggling.
Students reacted positively with the idea of Edwards' appearance but felt the substance of his lecture left something to be desired.
"I thought he had a lot of charisma, but the content of his speech was very general," said Daphne Leger, a freshman in the School of International Service. "He didn't really respond to any of the specific questions."
JoAnna Smith, a freshman in the School of Public Affairs, said she felt Edwards did not do well speaking to his college-age audience.
Students also realized the unique opportunity that the speech served.
"I'm a Democrat and know that this was a unique opportunity that isn't available at every college," said Johanna Teske, a freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. "KPU events are one of my favorite things about AU."
Leger felt that Edwards' appearance brought positive benefits to the AU campus.
"I think [Edwards' speech] gave people things to think about, though it wasn't that informative," she said. "It made me want to take action though, which was his goal."
Teske felt that Edwards' appearance "made it even more obvious how committed AU is to serving D.C. and our country."
KPU Director Emily Fuller, whose tenure as director ended Sunday, thought the event was the best one of the year.
"He was exciting and really connected with the students on current issues that really mattered to them," Fuller said. "For a group of people who might be future leaders, he brought attention to something that is a problem in America and something needs to be fixed, and hopefully students will leave wanting to fix the problem."
Edwards is the last speaker in the Kennedy Political Union's 2004-2005 lecture series.
Staff Writer Stokely Baksh contributed to this
article.
