Comments on: In Search of a City: The Toll of Economic Isolation http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/rightnow/2010/02/in-search-of-a-city-the-toll-of-economic-isolation/ News and events about Downtown Columbus! Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:23:49 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: James R. Klein http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/rightnow/2010/02/in-search-of-a-city-the-toll-of-economic-isolation/comment-page-1/#comment-4498 James R. Klein Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:00:06 +0000 http://www.downtowncolumbus.com/rightnow/?p=1853#comment-4498 I agree that there is a fair amount of economic segregation in play in central Ohio, but I am not quite sure it is the times that have brought it about. In 30 plus years of working with poor communities I have noticed that wealth brings with it the power of opportunity and the curse of delusion regardless of time or circumstance. Humankind has always experienced this power and delusion since before the lords of industry, plantation owners, benevolent despots, and medieval fiefdoms where economic segregation has reigned supreme. The dilution of wealth is the loss of compassion and the realization that giving back to community enhances opportunity, rather than limiting it. This then begs the question; “What are the wealthy zip codes doing to affect poor areas of our community?” This is not just “giving to,” it is “investing in” distressed people and neighborhoods. This is not a liberal indictment or a loss of conservative ideology. It is simply compassionate action. My father told me; “It’s not what happens to you, it how you handle what happens to you the makes you who you are.” James R. Klein CEO Finance Fund I agree that there is a fair amount of economic segregation in play in central Ohio, but I am not quite sure it is the times that have brought it about. In 30 plus years of working with poor communities I have noticed that wealth brings with it the power of opportunity and the curse of delusion regardless of time or circumstance. Humankind has always experienced this power and delusion since before the lords of industry, plantation owners, benevolent despots, and medieval fiefdoms where economic segregation has reigned supreme. The dilution of wealth is the loss of compassion and the realization that giving back to community enhances opportunity, rather than limiting it.

This then begs the question; “What are the wealthy zip codes doing to affect poor areas of our community?” This is not just “giving to,” it is “investing in” distressed people and neighborhoods. This is not a liberal indictment or a loss of conservative ideology. It is simply compassionate action.

My father told me; “It’s not what happens to you, it how you handle what happens to you the makes you who you are.”

James R. Klein
CEO
Finance Fund

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