Saturday morning, a few hours before my midnight shift ended, the newspaper delivery guy came in to the hospital to drop off some papers and we had a chat. It was the coldest day of the year (so far), so we were discussing weather and how it really used to get cold here in Kentucky. The we began discussing global warming and pollution. Naturally, this led us to take the entire world into consideration as we tried to discover the real problem that causes humanity’s stuggles.
My solution was greed. Mankind is fueled by greed. All of our wars have been fought to either obtain more resources or to protect our resources. When I think about my life and all of my “problems,” I really get stressed out sometimes. But then I stop and consider people in “third-world countries” and their problems and I don’t feel so bad for myself. People around our planet are literally wasting away from hunger, disease, and hatred…and we worry about whether or not we’re going to be able to make it home in time to catch the newest episode of our favorite show. It makes me feel pretty guilty to be honest.
If you think about it, politics just makes things worse. I mean, politicians always preach how they’re going to change things for the better, but they never really do much. Our country runs off to fight wars like the war in Iraq in which we’re freeing the people from tyranny (or at least that’s what we’re told). But it seems like if we were really reaching for the common good of all people, then we would be fighting against the evil governments that let their people perish without a second thought.
It seems so simple when you think about it…but the only way that anything would ever change would be if everybody quit being greedy and if we began to give a shit about the rest of the people around us…I just wonder what it will take, sometimes, to make people care. Maybe these will help…
A vulture looks on as a starving child lies weakly before it.
Another starving child…
This image, I think, hit me the hardest…it looks like a skeleton with skin just stretched over it. Why would people just let other people suffer like this?
Honestly, the worst part is that I don’t know what I should do, as one person, to help. What can one person do? I do know that, when I am able, I will donate to charity. We in America have so much and we can afford to give a little. I feel guilty because I see these starving people and then I look down at my gut and think to myself, “How can we live in a country where so many people suffer from obesity while these people would die for a slice of bread.” It sucks so bad.
God help us all…
SIDENOTE: So far, I’ve only gotten one comment on this rant…which I don’t really care if anybody comments. The thing that struck me is that the comment was so hateful…probably just some jerk with nothing better to do than flame people’s blogs. Anyways, just food for thought…that reaction to this blog is exactly the problem with people these days that I’m talking about. It makes me wonder about the question: Are people truly just evil by nature? A lot of times, I think the answer is yes…who knows?
Hi!
I was very happy to find your post. My ideas are pretty much the same as yours. The worst thing is that i lived most of my life knowing that people suffer in the world and JUST DIDN’T CARE. My eyes opened not so long ago, when i had big difficulties in my life, and realized what suffering really was, which awoke compassion in my heart. I started thinking about God, other people and understood how awfully selfish and heartless we all were in industrialized countries, without even realizing it.
Now the biggest desire in my life is to try to change something. Of course, we cannot change things on a large scale – unless we unite. On a large scale, only politicians and big companies decide what happens. Unfortunately, our politicians seem to not be concerned – in fact, they mostly do the opposite of what is needed to help poor countries. The only solution is to unite. People like you and me are many. Together, we can organize in networks and take action – participate by doing charitable organizations work, by organizing fund raisers, and by talking to our representatives, at least the local ones.
And the most important thing, I think, is GIVING. You think one donation does not make a difference. You are wrong. One donation plus one donation plus one donation amount to big sums. Together, we can help others. Your one donation does help one other person on the other side of the globe. It can even save a life. Personally i feel guilty every time I go to the supermarket – i cannot allow myself to buy expensive things anymore – every dollar that you spend is a dollar not given, a dollar that could have saved a life. Maybe I’m doing to much, but just trying to cut your expenses, the ones you don’t really need – and invest this money in charity. If everybody did the same, the world would be a much better place. What we have to do also is to try to change the minds of people around as – and rally as many as possible to the right causes.
Here are the sites of my favorite charities of the moment which i donate to, that i so much want to share with people:
http://www.nothingbutnets.net/
http://www.smiletrain.org
http://www.care.org
I would be really happy to hear back from you.
Check out my recent post on People Power Granny. I have lots of questions about what you think of us Americans, and what I think of us. You can also vote in my poll and let me know what you think of us who live in the USA.
Feel the same way about stuff and junk. Know lots of people who want to change but are too lazy to organize. I don’t eat meat and I drive slow on the highway to save gas in my non-suv/truck. Keep in-touch if you want. We’re all in this together.
-Jake
travel to the third world countries n try to make a difference urself, thats the only way one can help now a days…dont trust no charities and just trust urself
Hi, I just randomly found this post, mainly because I was searching for the child and vulture image on google. I just wanted to say that if you feel this way there are things you can do but first you have to educate yourself. You cant just stumble out into the world and say “Ok! Here I am, I’m going to do good deeds!”. Sometimes even the best intentions can lead to disease and more harm so start from square one, read some books. One I would recommend off the top of my head is Just Health. Another is Dying for Growth. Both relate to global health issues, inequality and global development (the source of most of these problems). Once you know what the real issues are and the reasons behind them you can begin to take proactive steps. And finally, dont assume you know better than the people actually living in developing countries. They know what their needs are and they will tell you if you just take the time to ask.
I wish you well!
Hey there – you make a great point and thanks for commenting. Honestly, my belief is that these problems could all be cured if the governments in charge of other countries would take an interest in the well-being of all citizens, rather than lining their own pockets. But that’s just my opinion…thanks again!