Amid the coverage of terrorism in Paris, Egypt, Lebanon, and Mali (those are the headlining spots as of press time for this issue), there was an important story in the New York Times that may have gotten more attention during a more peaceful news cycle. Or maybe I’m being wishful, since the Times actually did run it on the front page. As its headline stated in perfect vernacular: “Half Of New Yorkers Say They Are Barely Or Not Getting By, Poll Shows.”
The implications of that statement rend the heart. Did it really say half? Did it really say barely? The poll makes me feel like most of us aren’t fully appreciating just how deep and wide income inequality has become.
As parents, we know what this means for family life. It’s hard enough. Add in serious money problems, and the hard can be unbearable. I’m over 50 now, but I still remember the pain and embarrassment of going clothes shopping with my mom when we couldn’t afford much.
The most impactful solutions would start with our politicians in the Federal government, but it seems hopeless to look to them when they can’t find compromise agreements on almost anything important. So we look locally, and then hyper-locally, into our hearts. How can we make a difference? That’s still the most rewarding question a person of any age can ask themselves.
As it should be, December is always a feel-good issue for us, in which we write about holiday fun around the city, toys for kids of all ages, presents for mom and dad, and good charities. I feel lucky that we’re ringing in the holidays this year with a big-hearted spirit like Wendy Williams on the cover. How nice is that photo? For that, I’d like to give a special shout out of thanks to its photographer, Sarah Merians, and our crafty art director, Holly Morrison, who went the extra yard to make those glorious snowflakes.
Feel good is wonderful; an affluent society in which a much larger percentage of citizens were getting by more comfortably, would be better.
Happy holidays,
Eric Messinger
Editor, emessinger@manhattanmedia.com
