Editorial Op-ed
Remember who we are
Perhaps the most poignant gesture on
that bleak September day occurred on
the steps of the U.S. Capitol — when
House members and Senators gathered
together to publicly condemn the terrorist
attacks of that morning, and appeal for unity
as we worked to rebuild and seek justice.
That public statement, taken just before
sundown on Sept. 11, 2001, ended with the
legislators singing “God Bless America”
together. It was an impromptu yet extraordinary
demonstration of what it means to
be an American — that regardless of our
individual political beliefs, we could still put
our differences aside and come together in
an hour of need.
Now, two decades later, we can’t seem
to agree on anything — mask-wearing,
vaccinations, economic recovery from the
pandemic, infrastructure reconstruction,
climate change, voting rights, women’s
rights, and so on.
A sizable number of Americans still can’t
accept the results of the 2020 presidential
election, and have chosen instead to embrace
nonsensical conspiracy theories that helped
fuel an attack on the U.S. Capitol itself back
in January.
Worse, this implacable division has penetrated
the halls of government more than ever
before. For some, the idea of “bipartisanship”
is desired, but utterly fantastical. Others have
no interest in working with different parties,
believing that compromise equals weakness,
and that it only serves to help the other party
rather than themselves or their constituents.
The end result is a government gripped
by dysfunction, with one party seemingly
interested in traditional governing — and the
other party telling their rivals to go to hell.
We shudder to think how this country
would react if, God forbid, we fell under
attack in a similar way as we did 20 years
ago last Saturday.
Would that be the moment when we fi -
nally snap out of our delusion and divisions,
and remember who we are as Americans?
Or would we further retreat into our own
corners and try to scapegoat and smear our
way out of a national crisis?
Edward R. Murrow once said that we,
as a nation, “did not descend from fearful
men.” We also did not descend from people
and politicians who think only of themselves
24/7, demonize their opponents and refuse
to compromise with them.
As we continue to commemorate the 20th
anniversary of 9/11, let’s all take a moment
to remember that, and resolve to pull ourselves
out of this needless, divided morass.
Publisher of The Villager, Villager Express, Chelsea Now,
Downtown Express and Manhattan Express
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Minority Women Business Enterprise
Time to invest in a workforce
providing services to
individuals with disabilities
BY MATTHEW STURIALE
Every day across New York state,
more than 500,000 Direct Support
Professionals (DSPs) show up for
our community. A majority of DSPs are
women and people of color.
This workforce provides the critical
care and supports necessary to help more
than 120,000 people with intellectual and
developmental disabilities remain in their
homes, live in and be a part of their communities,
obtain employment, and maintain
their independence.
Throughout the pandemic, DSPs have
been on the often-forgotten frontlines,
caring for those who are sick, keeping
individuals safe and engaged, helping
maintain a sense of normalcy, and being
available 24-hours a day for those living
in congregate settings. DSPs demonstrate
compassion, sensitivity, and patience. They
often put the needs of those they support
fi rst, and are champions in helping people
reach their fullest potential. Simply put,
DSPs are heroes.
As we celebrate National Direct Support
Professionals Recognition Week (Sept. 12
– 18), it is time to invest in this essential
workforce. Governor Kathy Hochul and
state legislators must fi nally commit the
resources necessary to provide DSPs with
an equitable wage and competitive benefi ts
so they can pursue their chosen career and
comfortably provide for their families.
Furthermore, the New York Congressional
delegation should support President
PHOTO VIA GETTY IMAGES
Biden’s proposed $400 billion investment
into Home and Community Based Services
in his Better Care Better Jobs Act.
Nonprofit providers are increasingly
challenged to recruit and retain the skilled
direct support staff necessary to meet the
urgent needs of people with disabilities. The
primary reasons can be attributed to the lack
of a consistent fi nancial investment in this essential
workforce and the implementation of
the $15 minimum wage, resulting in wages
for DSPs being kept at or slightly above the
minimum wage. The responsibilities of DSPs
are broad and complex, and they should
be recognized and compensated for such.
According to a recent survey conducted by
New York Disability Advocates, nearly 74
percent of organizations have more vacant
DSP positions than before the pandemic and
nearly half of surveyed agencies have had to
close programs or reduce operations due to
these staffi ng shortages.
Without adequate funding, nonprofi t
organizations will continue to face this dire
workforce crisis and essential, life altering
services and care for individuals with disabilities
will be jeopardized. Our direct
support professionals and the individuals
they support are counting on us to act. We
can and we must do better.
Matthew Sturiale is President & CEO of
Birch Family Services, a nonprofi t providing
education and community supports to
people with intellectual and developmental
disabilities in New York City. He can be
reached atmatt.sturiale@birchfamilyservices.
org.
8 September 16, 2021 Schneps Media
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