Steven Friedman
12 September 2005
Steven Friedman has always been a social activist, and in part it was his grandfather’s Depression-era stories that helped mold his outlook. "I grew up hearing about the importance of trying to make a difference and the need to look out for all people—especially working people," said Friedman.
"My grandfather was a truck driver. He delivered baked goods for Drake Cakes. He identified with working people. I grew up hearing about the great things Roosevelt did, things that helped to rebuild the country and put people back to work."
The lessons stuck. In his 20s, Friedman went door-to-door as a canvasser for Connecticut Citizens Action Group to push for the proper disposal of toxic wastes. When he became a teacher, he introduced his students to the Oxfam Hunger Banquet, and later went on to speak on behalf of Oxfam at a variety of college and high school events.
"I think it’s possible to end poverty, but it’s a matter of political will. The resources exist. It’s a question of them being distributed properly, equally. I think it can happen. The question is, will it? I don’t know if enough of the political leaders are committed."
"On a local level, organizations like Oxfam are important because they’re doing things directly that lessen poverty. Maybe we shouldn’t think about ending poverty as a global effort, but work on it happening in a local way, like the irrigation efforts in Ethiopia where villagers and community people take control of their lives. If we look at it that way, it’s inspiring. It’s a model Oxfam believes in. Their projects are based on maintaining a community’s self-sufficiency. It’s a cooperative model. The more of these that become successful, you can see how they will impact things nationally."
"It’s absurd and tragic that we live in a world where so many people don’t have access to clean water, affordable health care, education for their children, or housing."
