New Article: How We Can Make Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream of Ending Poverty A Reality

Posted by Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity on February 7, 2023

In a new article in TIME magazine, Michael Tubbs explores the dynamics and relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision to lift people out of poverty. The former mayor of Stockton, California and founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income points to action such as implementing a guaranteed income as a step towards mitigating economic inequities. According to recent data compiled by Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, guaranteed income provides “the freedom and flexibility Americans need to afford their basic needs, climb up the economic ladder, and pursue their dreams.” Tubbs also notes the disproportionate impact of poverty amongst Black people as a call for new policies, and that guaranteed income can also serve as an effective tool as inflation continues to hit low-income Americans. Tubbs points to the landmark success of the Child Tax Credit as proof of the effectiveness of guaranteed income. Although the financial relief was fleeting, the historical decline in child poverty supports Tubbs argument that guaranteed income is the key to turning Dr. King’s dream a reality.

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