The "other" (reflection)

So, despite the fact that our response for the week isn't even due yet, I am going to post my reflection for this week.
In the world of theatre actors and actresses are given the opportunity to portray characters different from themselves. Whether the difference be in personality, situation, upbringing, social standing, occupation, or place of birth it always places the actor in a position to be something other than what they are; after all, if their character was exactly the same then they wouldn't be acting, would they? This brings about the question of the other, something that always surfaces when addressing issues such as poverty. In our discussion on Tuesday Professor Jackson started off with the question "are you poor?" and after some silence Stephan answered "no". We are not poor, at least not in the way that first comes to mind when we first hear the word. We have beds to sleep in, food to eat, and the ability to get an education - we wouldn't be here if we didn't. So when we talk about those who are poverty stricken, the clients of Bread for the City for example, we are essentially talking about the other.
For UC common event I was placed into the theatre UC. Our homework was essentially to observe people, notice things that we wouldn't ordinarily give a second look to, witness how others behave and react in different situations, etc. We were also told to read a play "ClassyAss" written by Caleen Jennings. Both had the purpose of educating us in the ways of the other, with "ClassyAss" particularly addressing poverty in its own unique way. To be able to truly embody a character or create one, you must be able to see things from their point of view and understand the world, its people, and all of the situations they encounter as they understand them. I believe that the same goes for discussing world politics. In order to be truly constructive in discussing sides of a situation you must first understand where they are coming from and why they would view the situation in such a way. We have all heard the people who criticize those on welfare, saying they should just get up and get a job. The majority of these naysayers do not know, nor do they care to know that going off of welfare and getting a job could be detrimental to a person's well-being, causing them to lose insurance and childcare and creating further strain on their family economically. However at bread for the city, which is helping the impoverished these ideas are understood; the workers do their best to understand the view points and situations of those they are trying to help, and that is perhaps the best way to help them. How is anyone to be expected to make a difference on an issue to which they are ignorant?