Lunch shaming sucks. Period.
If you grew up poor you probably know the feeling well. You’re standing in the lunch line at school hoping the person taking money is feeling nice, cause you got none. And not ‘I’m saving mine for after school’ none, but like none, none. And you’re 12, so it’s not like you can just go make your own.
So you got a plate of mystery meat and you’re near the end of line. Now, depending on where you live, to curb your hunger you might have to clean the cafeteria or if you’re really lucky, you’ll be stamped on the arm with ‘I need lunch money’ and then be left to walk around and beg other kids for food.
My friend’s son came home from school Thursday with a stamp on his arm that said “LUNCH MONEY” because his account was low.
— TECHNOprah (@juanyfbaby) April 1, 2017
Man, good thing you’re already brimming with self-confidence and have no acne at all. Just kidding, you’re still 12.
FINALLY, New Mexico governor (and apparent saint) Susana Martinez signed a bill doing away with these practices. California and Texas have similar bills in the works—we see ya! Now we’re hoping some empathetic human beings in the other 47 United States do the same.
If you’ve been following us, you know that New Sincerity is about action – large and small alike – so here’s our two cents on what we can do moving forward.
First off, have hope. Small movements grow when we give them attention. Media is catching on – do your part to talk about it. Like, oh maybe, share this article?
Second, call your government reps and make sure that every state gets a bill like New Mexico’s.
Third, if you have the means, pay off overdue lunch accounts of kids in local schools. You have no idea how big of a relief it will be for that kid. Or maybe you do.
Let’s work towards building a country where our kids don’t inherit their parents’ problems and where they never, ever go hungry!
