Economic Inequality

Why hasn't the issue of poverty been solved yet? It has been in existence since the beginning of time! What's the deal, right?

There are inequalities in the economy due to the fact that individuals in the third world are forced to work for lower wages than those in the developed world. For example, if we look at the wages earned by a shoe maker in the United States and someone doing the same exact job in the slums of the Middle East, the pay ratio could be something like $10:$1. Workers in the developing world are being undersold which keeps them at or below the poverty line. This act is being further supported because we continue to run the economy as a market of buyers, so we prefer to pay the cheaper price for the same product. In doing so, we are furthering the third world’s dependency upon us and essentially, maintaining poverty. 

Kindness

Humanitarianism in its most general form is kindness. This virtue has become a commodity within the world. Our primary focus is to get ahead, increase our personal revenue and build a "better life" for ourselves. In doing so, it seems that we have lost sight of the importance of charitable behavior.

In my opinion, the value of kindness and a friendly disposition are highly underestimated these days. A simple smile goes a long way. What I found particularly interesting is that our society does not do much to promote kindness. In fact, we live in a society where it is the norm to not even acknowledge others. I find that I am always surprised when someone who walks past me happens to flash me a smile, says hi, or even acknowledge my presence.

How is it that we can walk through a facility, with hundreds of people, literally bump into one another and not so much as even look them in the eye? We are in essence, all alone together. Maybe if we stop dehumanizing people and acknowledge them we would create a more peaceful and pleasant existence, which could lead to an increase in kindness and promote humanitarianism from a basic elementary level!

You ARE Living THE Life!

You wake up in your warm comfortable bed, go to the kitchen that is stocked full of food and enjoy a breakfast that takes all of three minutes to acquire, prepare and consume. You then pick out an outfit from your diversely filled closet which allows you to stay cool in the heat and warm in the cold. You then hop into your car and get frustrated when the 15 minute drive turns into a 20 minute drive on the way to class. You sit in the safe, secure classroom and grunt and groan about being stuck in there for two whole hours. While you sit there in the classroom with other students discussing horrific global issues occurring in the world, you are distracted by facebook on your phone where you discuss dinner plans with your friends. After class you hop back into your car and sing along to songs about trials and triumphs as if you have some sense of experiencing true hardship and the fight for survival. When you get home you feed your pet with more food than children in poverty receive all day. You proceed to change into a new, clean outfit to exercise in. Once you arrive at the gym you resentfully get on the treadmill where you briskly walk for 20 minutes, which is a fraction of what others must walk barefoot just to find fresh water or food for their parched and starving young. After hopping off and feeling well accomplished you wander over to the free weights and casually complain about bills to a workout buddy while failing to realize that these bills exist because you have the luxury of living in a home, driving rather than walking, and the recent technology of cell phones and entertainment devices. After breaking a slight sweat you hop back in your car, go home and take a shower, dousing yourself with clean water that runs over your body and right down the drain. Water that people in other countries don't have and often parish because they are forced to quench their thirst with unclean and contaminated water. After getting out of the shower you dry off, warm up, and put on a clean new outfit again. You then hop back into your car, avoiding the nuisance of walking, and arrive at a restaurant where you comfortably sit down with friends. You demand a cheeseburger and a cold refreshing beverage. The server goes to the kitchen, has your food prepared for you and then serves it to you; while accommodating any other requests that you may have. You enjoy a few laughs in good company and return home with a full belly. After retiring to bed you lay comfortably with no concern about the weather or surviving the night. You have no worries about how you might survive tomorrow as you drift into a peaceful sleep in the safety of your home.

We have so many blessings that go unnoticed throughout the day. These are luxuries that we take for granted and fail to realize that others around the world only dream about. Appreciate your blessings even if they're small because you just might have something that others would die for, literally.

Corruption

One of the most prominent reasons as to why more people do not contribute to humanitarian organizations is corruption. Many ready and willing individuals are discouraged from donating because there has been so much commotion about money that was intended to support those in need, and instead goes into the pockets of the already wealthy. It is a shameful fact, but it is reality.

It saddens me to think about the potential donations that could have done so much good. There have been many times that I see a commercial asking, sometimes begging for donations and I disregard it. I do this because it has become so easy to assume that the money will not go to poor, starving child on the tv, but into the pockets of those running the business. Unfortunately it is difficult to differentiate those who have intentions of truly supporting those in need, and those who are attempting to make a quick buck for themselves; so it seems that everyone ends up suffering as a result.

It seems ironic that the movement for humanitarian aid has come so far in doing such good only to be hindered by negativity. It is as though we can't escape it. Even in a instance where people have pure and positive intentions, it is still influenced and hampered by bad. What can we do to reverse these negative connotations that are now tied to such a great cause? How can we promote giving in a safe and effective manner? How can we right the wrongs?

Coorilation between Poverty & War

What came first, Poverty or War? It's kind of like the chicken or the egg quote. The roots of war lie in poverty. Inequalities in regard to politics, economics and societal issues are all factors of poverty and contribute to the rise of dissent which can lead to war. Ironically, while poverty may cause conflicts that lead to war, it also has the potential to create more poverty.War can send a community into disarray. People are taken out of their communities and forced to fight while large amounts of money are spent to support and sustain the war. For example, the cost of the war between the United States and Iraq and Afghanistan was estimated to be 3.7 trillion and rising as of June 2011.

Think about what that money could do for our country and its' people! For starving people, homeless people, struggling families, the educational system, health care, finding a cure for cancer... the list goes on and on! Is it possible that peace is more valuable than we had previously thought it to be?

Necessity vs. Luxury

After learning about how many people actually live with so little and below the line of poverty, it makes me think about my own lifestyle. Living in a country where it is safe to assume that the majority of the people we come into contact with on a daily basis are regularly getting a fair share of the food that they need and are going home to adequate shelter. Not only are our needs being met but they are often times exceeded.

For example, when I was moving into my current apartment I found myself in the midst of boxes and bags full of things. I suddenly realized just how many miscellaneous and seemingly useless things that I had acquired over the years. It made me think of one of those episodes of hoarders where they have a ridiculous amount of things. I can say with confidence, that the majority of Americans can probably relate to this. If they were to make a pile of all their belongings that didn't serve any purpose other than visual appeal, we would all be astounded.

I want to emphasize the fact that all of these artifacts are just "things." They don't really serve a purpose. They don't provide shelter, nutrition, or serve to meet any of our basic needs. After coming to this realization it was then that I noticed how much our society emphasizes and puts a value on luxury or unnecessary novelty items. When you think about how many stores that sell these items it makes you realize just how fortunate we are to be in a position to be able to acquire these possessions.

For instance, we purchase multiple decorative plates and bowls for the sole purpose of displaying them in our homes. Meanwhile, these people in poverty cannot even afford a regular plate, much less the food that is to be put on the plate. When you look at it from this perspective, it really makes you realize how lucky you are to be in a position where you have these luxury items. Often times, in our country, we find ourselves feeling discouraged because we don't have the most expensive car or the most lavish home when in comparison to those in poverty, it would be a feat in itself just to have a home... any home.