Quote:
Originally Posted by Sweetpea
ignoring the injustices in the world won't make them go away.
and nothing you can do? a common and apathetic misconception. (not that you are apathetic mixedmedia, i don't think you are, rather, we have a culture of apathy)
everyone has a voice in this world, feeding that voice knowledge is the only way to make any kind of change.
What occured in Rwanda is now similarily occuring in Darfur.
one can learn further in this article: http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/aler...FSKJYAodLzLkuQ
i'm in social work, myself and my peers can't help to change every single issue in the world, I recognize that and have for a long time. It's overwhelming to want to make change on every single issue in this world.
However, what I suggested is: pick an issue that stirs you, and do your best to affect any kind of change on that issue, however small you might think your actions are, they do make a difference, write your senators, volunteer, give money, give your time, do whatever you can and spread the word on your chosen issue. Education is power.
so in short. yeah, I'd like to know about what's occuring in our world good
and bad. I owe it to myself and I owe it to my existence here.
this is not to say I don't enjoy my life and the things I have that millions in this world do not, aka. adequate shelter, clean food, medicine; not to mention such things as T.V., pets, hobbies.
the average american is so incredibly lucky in what we take for granted. I don't feel it handicaps me to know this fact, I don't feel it takes away from my enjoyment of the things I have, it does stir me to at least do my part at times to make something positive and give back the good fortune I have.
sweetpea
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Thank you, sweetpea. I do not feel entirely apathetic - I do know what you mean by the use of that term and it does not insult me. I have contributed money, written letters and talked, talked, talked about these things a lot. The only visibly constructive thing I've been able to accomplish however, is the passing on of the importance of awareness to my kids. But, of course, the sort of thoughts I am alluding to in the OP make me wonder if that truly is a good thing. (And, of course, I am talking about my older children, not the seven-year-old.) But your post helps to affirm my instinct that it is better to inform and concern yourself with the realities of our ever-shrinking world. Thanks for that.
I have also told my kids, again I am referring to the older ones, that when they are all grown, secure and on their own, I will most likely volunteer for an NGO and travel where needed to make a real, hands on contribution to people living within these desperate situations. It may sound pat, naive or disingenuous, but I am absolutely serious.
And you are absolutely right, ASU, about the problems here in the US and I will admit that not enough attention is given to them and that I myself am probably more informed about the situation in the Congo than I am with some of the most deprived areas of our own country. I don't like to, but I have to admit it. But if, when the time comes, it is apparent that I need not leave the US to help people living in dire, chaotic situations then that's where I'll be.
I'm not one who typically believes in things like fate or "having a calling," but I do know that my concern about a good quality of life and the right to live without fear for people who do not have these things occupies a heightened standpoint in my psyche. I don't want to die having always been an observer.