Near the end of today's show, Melissa made an impassioned point in the conversation we had today about the issue of welfare, and how race is intertwined with that issue in our politics. The panel -- which also included business author Monica Mehta, columnist Bob Franken, Wake Forest professor David Coates, and writer/commentator Nancy Giles -- had been debating the specific issue of class mobility, and America's embarrassing lack of it.
Economist Howard Steven Friedman noted earlier this week at the Huffington Post that class mobility is inextricably linked to the cost of education, and Giles made a similar point, including health care in that calculus. Mehta interrupted, noting that such education and health care wouldn't have been possible without risk, presumably from those "job creators" Republicans like Mitt Romney always tell us about.
I say presumably, because at that point, Melissa interjected with this:
“What is riskier than living poor in America? Seriously! What in the world is riskier than being a poor person in America? I live in a neighborhood where people are shot on my street corner. I live in a neighborhood where people have to figure out how to get their kid into school because maybe it will be a good school and maybe it won’t. I am sick of the idea that being wealthy is risky. No. There is a huge safety net that whenever you fail will catch you and catch you and catch you. Being poor is what is risky. We have to create a safety net for poor people. And when we won’t, because they happen to look different from us, it is the pervasive ugliness.”
We'll have more on this welfare, race, and poverty discussion throughout the week, but for right now, we'll leave it there. It should be noted that Melissa offered an apology for "losing my temper" in that discussion. (Judging by the praise folks in #nerdland on Twitter and Facebook are lavishing on Melissa for saying what she did, it's up to you as to whether or not you wish to accept that apology.)
See the segment in full here, and below.
Melissa Harris-Perry and her panelists share a heated conversation on how many Americans link their perceptions on welfare to African-Americans, and later, they discuss the importance of the social safety net.
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she has nothing to apologize for, im right with her on this!!!
You go girl; I watched your segment; I applauded..you were right, you had the passion and the facts; no apology needed...I want to see more of it
no apology needed...I want to see more that passion...I adore you
BRAVA Ms Harris Perry
For the GOP, the Poor (and their welfare) are the true "elephant in the room."
I think everyone gets a Ned Beatty "Network" moment once a month. That needs to be said more.
Thank you, Melissa for articulating the truth about being poor in America. Our lives are incredibly precarious.
I live on SSI, a welfare program for disabled people who do not qualify for disability. I receive $698 a month to live on and am not allowed to get more than $20 a month from family, because according to the Social Security Administrations calculations this is enough to cover rent, utilities, food, etc. in this country. Luckily in 2001 I was able to get a rent voucher which covers part of my rent allowing me to live in a real apartment instead of the falling apart trailer I lived in before. Because there are so few vouchers available most people who qualify for rental assistance are not able to get the assistance.
Those of you who have never been in my situation do not have a clue about how scary, painful, and precarious it is.
By the way I am white and in my 60s. And I know there are many older women of every race who live this close to the bone.
God BlessYou ! hang in there ,things will get better ! I know that I dont have to tell you this but I feel because of the importance of this next election I will ! !
"VOTE" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for if the wrong party gets in , things "WILL" get "WORSE" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ms. Harris-Perry.........you knocked them out of the park today with the truth!!! I LOVED your passion!!! I think you scared Monica Mehta but the truth always does. Keep up the fabulous job you're doing at MSNBC it's refreshing to hear someone who doesn't "sugar coat" and stays on point.
Melissa, I was cheering as you spoke. It's about time we had your type of honesty. That is what is called speaking truth to power. So proud of you. To Monica, yes small business owners take financial risk, but that is not who the GOP is looking after either. If they were, they would have passed the President's bill to give tax breaks to small businesses.
I am so grateful for your passionate advocacy for the poor in America... I have become one of them, and I am in TEARS at I post this.... I cry every single day wondering how I'm going to survive into the next week.... I have enormous anger as well, and your guest who justified Republican nonsense as reality was WAY off base, and snarlingly consdescending in reflecting this... She represents the party of hate for all who are of modest means -- and YOU are right!!!!
You have become a hero of mine, and that's a steep hill... GOD BLESS YOU!!!
The Republicans have decided to blame what's wrong with America on the neediest among us. What they don't seem to understand that the policies their party supports ensures the proliferation of poverty. If a person is concerned about where they will sleep or if they'll have food to eat, it's a little difficult to even consider the idea of becoming the next business owner. That's where government can and should help. A foot up to join the economy is what is needed, not a foot in the head. And if you think it could never happen to you, think again. If you are working you are only two words away from joining the needy - "you're fired". Thanks for saying what needed to be said, Melissa.
No need to apologize, I felt the passion and the truth...Love your show; continue to be a seeker of "truth" and a reservoir of "Love!"
Mellissa,
I am a 66 year old New England Yankee liberal living in Tennessee. I loved your comment...NO APOLOGY required..You were SPOT ON! Your passionate response is what is needed at this time. Thank You for making my day!
Ron
No need to apologize, I felt the passion and the truth..... I love your show; continue to be a seeker of "truth" and a reservoir of "LOVE!"
1. Did the GOPs candidate’s parents pay for their college education? If so, how can they understand what it is like to try to pay for your own education? 2. The choices you make filing your taxes (what deductions you take, etc.) are a decision you make, why doesn't a presidential candidate have to explain the decisions he made in his life? The GOP is supposed to be the party of personal accountability. 3. The GOP tries to portray Obama as an angry black man. Is that not racist? 4. How much money did Romney make from investing in the company that was called pioneers of outsourcing and did that money end up in a Swiss or Caribbean bank? 5. Will he follow Israel into war with Iran? 6. Will the independent voters allow the Mitch McConnell led assault on bipartisanship work while the independent profess to believe that the parties should work together? 7. What do you need to do these days for the corporate media to call you a budget hawk? If you are a Republican, just come up with a plan to balance the budget by 2030, which is what COB says Ryan’s budget will do. 8. How long will people continue to call Bain Capital job creators, they had no interest in creating jobs: Their job is to take extremely wealthy people’s money and give them a huge return on their investment. 9. Will the increase in food prices the will be coming after this summer’s drought convince independents to vote republican (i.e. the party that wants more carbon in the atmosphere). We know that independents vote based on how their wallet looks at the moment (gas prices, grocery prices…push independents from one party to the other (they seem to stand for nothing other than their wallet). 10. I watched an debate between Sister Campbell (nun on bus) and a Paul Ryan supporter. The Ryan supporter was talking about people helping each other at the local level to solve poverty issues. How a person from a party that has pursued the southern strategy and divide and conquer politics for generations can say stuff like that is beyond my ability to understand. Also, if Jesus and the conservatives what people to solve poverty at the local level through private charity, what are the wealthy people waiting for? It is time to sell their worldly possessions and give the money to the poor. 11. Isn't the theme of the GOP convention (i.e. we build this) divisive? Apparently the GOP is saying while you people were out picking up your welfare (or other government aid) checks, we were building this. Independents apparently want politicians in Washington to work together. What do independents think about this? Are independents part of the "we" that build this or only republicans built it? By the way, Mitt Romney, unlike Bill Gates, Henry Ford, etc., didn't build anything other than the brand name for Bain, which means nothing unless you have a million dollars to give to Bain to invest. 12. Jesus said sell your stuff and give the money to the poor. Will Mitt sell half of his stuff and provide the money so the Secretary of State in Ohio can provide the same voting opportunities to northeast Ohio. Since Mitt “Believes in America” he will surely want northeastern Ohio to have the same extended voting.
I loved the passion. I was working and got up from my office, to personally go to my TV to see my usually very controlled, Melissa, go off. It was wonderful. Where is the passion in the hearts of so many?
Hi!!! Melissa please allow me to humbly congratulate you for the way you stood up today for your people... the 99% of Americans me included, you dont't need to apologize for being right That girl Monica Metha was not ready to face one of the most knowledgeable people in this particular matter (POLITICS) You were great and highly professional. Please don't feel bad for doing what you need it to do to...
tell this kind of stupid people how you feel and who you are. I'M VERY PROUD OF YOU.!!!!!
Your guest had it coming and the smackdown was masterful. Thank you for being the honest and passionate woman you are, MHP! Love your show!
I am a long time admirer of yours. Your admirable attempts to present a balanced picture of the topic, (I am a serious lefty), sometimes irks me, to no end, However, once I look at it through the prism of reality, I realize my response is often coming from my own inclinations to downplay or completely reject anything that doesn't verify my own point of view. In the end, I may not agree with what you've said but I relish the prod to look at things from a different light.
Having said that, I must say that I was moved to tears by your impassioned defense of the poor.
Do not apologize, ever.
I agree with armyvetofc. You should run for office.
I don't agree with the animus towards Monica Mehta. While totally disagree with almost everything she said, (I told her so. I talk to my TV), I think she was sincere with her position and should not be vilified for saying what that is. In fact, she was brave to show up where she knew her views would be challenged by most of the other panelists.
Melissa ,Melissa, Melissa ! I am so proud of you for not being able to hold in your feelings about doing what should come naturally to normal ,good and definetly Godly people ! I was going to turn your show off because in my gut I could not take that young lady who has underlined problems and we all know just what they are !
I am glad I kept it on for at the same time you could not take anymore nor could I!You need not to apologize for being a loving and caring human being"and believe me Mr. Griffin knows your passion and thats why you are on MSNBC !
The problem with most host like Candy C. , Wolf B. and etc. they just let people say anything ,let them tell outright lies and donot rebuck ! makes me wonder what the hell is their adgender(you see I am passionate too!)
You and Rachel are the smartest women on t.v. because you are the most "HONEST" !!
God Bless You and your family and I am glad you and yours are safe , and I am praying for all , not just in New Orleans , but this entire country for it sure needs it !
You should apologize for not having spoken up earlier. I still have goose bump from that passionate display of the compassionate truth. in just that one segment you have given voice to a group of people who have wanted to say just those very things but don't have the platform in which to do it....i am still shaking in delight at your presentation and hope to see more in the future thank you.
I was so happy to hear the program today. I wish all of America was as intelligent and caring as you are. Keep up the good work you do.
That's for sure !
if anything you should apologize for not having spoken up earlier. i still have goosebumps from witnessing the passion and compassion you have displayed. i crossed my fingers in the hopes you were going to finish and not catch yourself and pull back. i was completely delighted to hear you complete your statements on point. thank you for giving voice to all the viewers screaming at the tv wanting to say just what you said.
It's about time someone started speaking the truth with emotion. I just don't understand why MSNBC requires each show to have a token Republican. Today's wingnut guest spewed the typical Right Wing talking point. You Rock Melissa.
Melissa, I understand you like to prefer not to present your views in this way, but my gosh, it was wonderful. :-) This was a moment for cheering, to put a series of emphasising exclamations on the tail end of the point.
Well done.