Gainesville, FL (EEF News)— What happens when the systems designed to protect us fall short? When kindness is replaced with silence? When does poverty push a person to their limits? Our Cohort IV Education Equalizer Foundation Scholars recently watched Straw, a powerful Tyler Perry film that follows Janiyah, a mother navigating poverty, job loss, and tragedy in one day. Through her story, the film illustrates how systemic failure, community silence, and emotional isolation can lead someone to the edge.
Here’s what our scholars—and one parent—had to say:
1. Poverty Isn’t Just a Struggle—It’s a Systemic Threat
“The movie shows that poverty can be deadly by highlighting how Janiyah loses her job, her home, and her grip on reality all in one day. With no support and nowhere to turn, she’s driven to rob a bank, showing how extreme financial stress can lead to life-threatening decisions.”
— Regan Hollinger
“The movie shows that poverty can be deadly by emphasizing failures from the system. She faces eviction, her child’s problematic school issues due to lunch debt, as well as a harsh work/living space.”
— Sharla Gary (Parent on behalf of EEF scholar)
“By emphasizing how the main character mom was repeatedly rejected on the basic healthcare and support, the movie demonstrates that poverty can be lethal. It wasn’t just that she was broke—it was the system that failed her time and again.”
— Deangelo
“The movie shows that poverty can be deadly because Janiyah needed help but didn’t have access to things like healthcare or safe housing. People around her were struggling too, so no one had enough to support her.”
— Isona Wolfe
“Poverty made Janiyah feel unheard and unseen. She was constantly addressing her needs and expressing her point of view, but she was easily dismissed.”
— Amiah Carter
“The movie shows that poverty can be deadly because it presents itself as low class—and people get treated differently and get less and feel less accountable.”
— Merveille Namusura
“Tyler Perry’s film Straw portrays that poverty can be deadly by highlighting the lack of accessibility Janiyah faces in providing for herself and her daughter, along with the lack of support and understanding from others, which creates psychological turmoil for her.”
— Kyleigh
“Poverty can be deadly by being surrounded by an unhealthy environment that could have a negative impact on someone’s health and future.”
— Journei Anderson
“The movie communicates how poverty could be deadly through the way Janiyah is treated. Her being kicked out with all of her belongings in the rain and just being kicked at her lowest really broke her.”
— Lenniya Allen
“This movie shows that you never know the silent battles people face until everything unravels, because Janiyah was living as if life was still normal until she got the call that her daughter died—and that’s when reality started to set in.”
— Emory Robinson
2. Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual Breakdown
“The movie showed that poverty really has an impact on someone’s life… when the person doesn’t have the basic needs to survive, it can drive them to a frenzy where they could need and use anything to help themselves from digging a deeper hole.”
— Keise Davis
“It shows how being poor isn’t just about not having money—it’s how people treat you when you don’t have anything… The system kept failing her, and that made everything worse.”
— Kayshell Tubbs
“Janiyah had a lot of resilience… but we all have our breaking points. So much kept stabbing her spiritually that it forced her to stab back by trying to rob the bank. Physically her body was drained. Spiritually her world was falling apart. Emotionally, she lost her sense of reality.”
— Jay Morant Jr.
“In our lives, we are all on some level of this journey. We live, thrive, and survive in that crisis. This movie was to show hope even in tragedy and a series of unfortunate events.”
— Sarah North
3. What Could the Community Have Done Differently?
“If the people in the apartment complex knew what she had going on, they could’ve pitched in and helped. Her co-worker at the super center could’ve also helped her out too.”
— Keise Davis
“Someone in the community could’ve offered help—like checking on her, giving her a place to stay, or helping with food. Just a little support might have kept her from reaching such a breaking point.”
— Regan Hollinger
“Honestly, someone just checking in on her or offering a ride could’ve helped. Sometimes people just need to know someone cares.”
— Kayshell Tubbs
“A member of the community could have done one simple thing: check in. A neighbor who offered a ride, assistance with childcare, or dropped off a meal would have helped a lot.”
— Deangelo
“Someone could’ve checked on the mother instead of seeking to take away her child—help her and the child.”
— Journei Anderson
“The one thing someone in the community could have done to help Janiyah was literally be kind.”
— Kyleigh
“Someone in the community could’ve just checked on her or tried to connect her with help earlier. Even a small act of kindness might’ve made a big difference.”
— Isona Wolfe
“Her neighbors could’ve provided her with more support—financially and mentally.”
— Amiah Carter
“They could have set up a better support system, like a local resource center, to catch people before they fall through the cracks.”
— Merveille Namusura
“One thing someone could’ve done to help her was to just make a simple sacrifice and cash the check.”
— Emory Robinson
“I would’ve loved to see the community raise a GoFundMe or even just give her a shoulder to lean on during her time of grievance.”
— Lenniya Allen
“The simple act of kindness and natural respect would have been a huge factor. Many people looked down on her instead of helping… Someone loaning her money, a place to stay, or help with her daughter could’ve gone a long way.”
— Jay Morant Jr.
“Every community and person could do more, including her. Her co-worker made the same money and offered her, her last. There were many moments of indirect or quiet help.”
— Sarah North
4. Faith, Hope, and Healing
“When you’re tired, hurt, and broken—PRAY. He’s listening, walking with you through your storm, and a storm does not last forever. She survived, she will heal, and she brought a community together. That movie had two endings, and I love the one he (Tyler Perry) chose. She will rest and heal. Alive.”
— Sarah North
Tyler Perry’s Straw didn’t just tell a story—it held up a mirror. Our scholars saw themselves in Janiyah’s journey and named the often unspoken failures. They also called the hope that still lives in the community compassion and change.
At The Education Equalizer Foundation, we empower students to think critically, feel deeply, and act boldly. Straw reminded us that healing is possible, but it starts with care, and care starts with all of us.
Because when we know better, we must do better.
About The Education Equalizer Foundation
The Education Equalizer Foundation empowers middle—through high school students and their families on the path to higher education. The college admittance process can be daunting and complex, particularly for scholars from underserved backgrounds. Our mission is to demystify this process and provide students with the necessary tools to gain admission and graduate successfully.
Thank you to the following organizations for sponsoring The Education Equalizer Foundation.
The Wagmore Foundation
Drs. Corey and Erika Hartman
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