Today has been an interesting day. I think my 'social activism' gene is being pressured.
First… the newspaper taunts me, with headlines only a mother could love:
"Death rates high for Aboriginals: Study" - aboriginals have a higher death rate. Breaking news.
"Gym class not helping chilhood obesity: Study" - last line in the article… 'research suggests that diet may be the central factor in making kids fat'. Too easy.
Next, I'm being challenged by the "thehungersite.com".
The words "pornography of poverty" were thrown at me recently (the person who used them didn't quite understand what they meant… but I won't get into those hard feelings), but it really made me think. I'm reading about Madonna adopting a new "ethnic" child, despite (apparent) adoption laws. I see pictures on facebook of people with cute "ethnic" kids, to show how great they are being in foreign countries. I see people walking around with their international development work souvineirs - wraps/skirts/scarves wuith beautiful colours.
But what are we doing??
Thehungersite.com allows people to use what they know best - armchair activism - to "save the world". With just one click of your computer mouse (well - a couple of scrolls, a type, etc.) people can have a hand in saving the world, right from their own desk chair. No sweat required! Man - this international development stuff is EASY!!
It hurts me to think that of everyone in this world cashing in on the feel good "save the world" movement that's sweeping every former emo kid and yuppie parent out there, is doing it, thinking their making a world of difference, and at the same time wondering what all those development workers were complaining against - it's easy!
If "development" continues to be easy, we'll have some problems. If people think that 'development' is a click of a mouse, and a goat as a Birthday gift, then the world we live in is in a world of trouble.
I have a case of food for the food bank. I have had it sitting in my kitchen waiting for an appropriate time since December. Now, I see calls for food, since it's not a holiday, and therefore people aren't donating. I am going to have to make a trip, on TTC with a large box filled with cans. Inconvenient - totally. Worth it - kids in breakfast programs in the Toronto area would say so.
Helping others is hard work. We're a lazy generation.
and then....
First… the newspaper taunts me, with headlines only a mother could love:
"Death rates high for Aboriginals: Study" - aboriginals have a higher death rate. Breaking news.
"Gym class not helping chilhood obesity: Study" - last line in the article… 'research suggests that diet may be the central factor in making kids fat'. Too easy.
Next, I'm being challenged by the "thehungersite.com".
The words "pornography of poverty" were thrown at me recently (the person who used them didn't quite understand what they meant… but I won't get into those hard feelings), but it really made me think. I'm reading about Madonna adopting a new "ethnic" child, despite (apparent) adoption laws. I see pictures on facebook of people with cute "ethnic" kids, to show how great they are being in foreign countries. I see people walking around with their international development work souvineirs - wraps/skirts/scarves wuith beautiful colours.
But what are we doing??
Thehungersite.com allows people to use what they know best - armchair activism - to "save the world". With just one click of your computer mouse (well - a couple of scrolls, a type, etc.) people can have a hand in saving the world, right from their own desk chair. No sweat required! Man - this international development stuff is EASY!!
It hurts me to think that of everyone in this world cashing in on the feel good "save the world" movement that's sweeping every former emo kid and yuppie parent out there, is doing it, thinking their making a world of difference, and at the same time wondering what all those development workers were complaining against - it's easy!
If "development" continues to be easy, we'll have some problems. If people think that 'development' is a click of a mouse, and a goat as a Birthday gift, then the world we live in is in a world of trouble.
I have a case of food for the food bank. I have had it sitting in my kitchen waiting for an appropriate time since December. Now, I see calls for food, since it's not a holiday, and therefore people aren't donating. I am going to have to make a trip, on TTC with a large box filled with cans. Inconvenient - totally. Worth it - kids in breakfast programs in the Toronto area would say so.
Helping others is hard work. We're a lazy generation.
and then....
while reading, I find out right in my little backyard there's a place called "Sketch" - it's a visual arts studio for street involved and homeless youth.
I'm totally into this. Nonjudgemental. Enriching. Hard skills in a manner which does not feed to capitalism. Encouraging creativity in a population who has been hardened.
Anyone? Volunteer? Donate? Artists out there? I'm so into this.
I'm totally into this. Nonjudgemental. Enriching. Hard skills in a manner which does not feed to capitalism. Encouraging creativity in a population who has been hardened.
Anyone? Volunteer? Donate? Artists out there? I'm so into this.