I’ve written before about MLK50: Justice Through Journalism’s approach to writing about poverty: We investigate it as though it were a crime. Poverty doesn’t just happen to people; it’s often man-made and intentional. Part of our mission is to hold those responsible for creating poverty in Memphis accountable for their actions.
The things that keep people in poverty, and make them struggle to thrive are often the result of deliberate decisions too.
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On Monday, we published a trio of stories about the Memphis Area Transit Authority reported by government accountability reporter Katherine Burgess. MATA is now on the verge of collapse, directly affecting thousands of Memphians who rely on it to get to work, school, medical appointments and more.
There’s a lot of finger-pointing going on about which entity is to blame, but as Katherine’s reporting reveals, the heart of the problem seems to be neglect. Time and time again, the people charged with serving this community, the people with the ability to properly fund MATA, declined to do so.
It doesn’t take much investigation to see that.
Public transportation is essential to a vibrant city. An inadequate public transportation system can be tied to poverty, food insecurity and unemployment.
I grew up riding buses and trains. It allowed me to access museums and libraries, to encounter different cultures and communities, to learn the corners and secrets of my city. It was a gateway to develop many of the skills I’d need as an adult.
The mayor says he’s “all in” on transit. We’ll see what that means. What we need to remember is that every decision made has a goal. The question is whether it’s a goal that serves the people of Memphis or some other interest.
Adrienne Johnson Martin is co-executive director of MLK50: Justice Through Journalism. Contact her at adrienne.martin@mlk50.com
This story is brought to you byMLK50: Justice Through Journalism, a nonprofit newsroom focused on poverty, power and policy in Memphis. Support independent journalism by making a tax-deductible donation today. MLK50 is also supported by these generous donors.