In an effort to better understand the needs of everyday Kansans, Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla suggests leaders metaphorically walk in the shoes of someone who lives in poverty.
De La Isla was in Iola Monday afternoon as part of her campaign for the 2nd District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. De La Isla is a Democrat. The seat is currently held by Steve Watkins, a Republican.
Living in poverty — even as an experiment — shows how people have to make either/or decisions. Purchasing food or medicine. Paying the rent or a utility bill. Buying gas or shoes.
“We need to educate our leaders about what poverty really is and why poverty exists,” De La Isla said. “We need to change the conversation about poverty and talk about real compassion.”
De La Isla shared her story of her rise from poverty to the top leadership position in Topeka to a crowd of about 20 at the Around the Corner coffee shop.
De La Isla hopes to make a difference in Congress by addressing health care, agriculture, education and more.
De La Isla said she supports a public option for low-income citizens to access health care while still allowing private insurance. As for farmers, De La Isla said the recent round of tariffs has made it difficult for them to sell their crops.
Mostly, though, she talked about the importance of listening to others, especially those who come from different backgrounds, experiences and political parties.
“When I see all of you and I see your challenges, I don’t say, ‘Oh, there’s people who are struggling.’ I see people who are waking up every day trying to do their best. And the people who are doing that happen to be Republicans and Democrats.”
DE LA ISLA’S discussion about poverty followed an exchange with Tracy Keagle, founder of Iola’s Humanity House, which provides services and programs to help those with low incomes.
Keagle expressed frustration with local leaders and asked how to help them understand the challenges faced by those in poverty.
“This is a much deeper conversation than ‘Michelle running for Congress,’ but I’m happy to have that conversation,” De La Isla responded. “The way you change that is by your community stepping up and talking about these issues.
“There is nothing more powerful than all of you getting together and forcing those conversations. Build relationships with leaders, whether you like them or not. Invite them to see things they never would have been exposed to. Invite them to hear stories of real people and the challenges they’re having.
“People only get to an understanding because we’re sitting with them and talking to them and showing the real struggles. Only then will the conversations change in our country.”
De La Isla, who was elected as Topeka’s mayor in the fall of 2018 and previously served on the Topeka City Council, shared her experience of being a Latina female who had lived in poverty.
