(no subject)
A friend's argument is that compassion for those in third world countries is futile. While this person supports some beliefs which empathize with minority groups, she critisizes most non-white and foreign exchange students. it seems odd to me to be against discrimination in certain cases then propel a similar predjudice towards another.
The statement, "it is pointless to care for anyone beside those you directly know. It's not our position to help anyone. They were born there so it's their fault and problem if they don't like their living conditions." shocked me. I feel the point of caring is so that those who are downtrodden can envision hope and perhaps believe that cruelty is not deserved. it would seem more effective (easier?) to only care for those a person knows, but generally speaking - i think apathy could be largely abolished if messages and changes were encouraged on an international level (ie the level of general globalised media.) It can be harder sometimes to choose discomfort over apathy, when faced with a need for change.
Some of the problems in third world countries include serious poverty, poor living conditions and sanitation, lack of jobs, food, water and education. A growing issue is the debt some third world countries owe to richer countries. Due to tumultuous conditions, many countries have borrowed money in order to improve living conditions, and have only become further in-debt. Unfortunately most richer countries participate in the great "power play" of global economy, so while some countries attempt to stock the latest top brands in new products, others struggle to gain enough food and water to survive. If debts were cancelled it would mean the start to improving living conditions for everyone. It is generally a part, or even responsibility of humanity to care. One quote is, "what was yesterdays ripple can become tomorrows tidal wave." To me this quote examplifies the effectiveness of caring, even on smaller details.
Sometimes world problems are thought to be the fault of those who suffer from them, and the victims of cruelty are considered the cause. i do not understand how a person can possibly be responsible for the conditions they are born into, nor why a person should be forced to restrict themselves if an environment causes harm. Many people who portray wrongs, or are proof of the existence of wrongness (victims of racism, predjudice, injustice, apathy) are often labelled the "problem." i think this is sometimes driven by a fear of the connection between a person's apathy or dominance, and the oppression another experiences.
at the end of our discussion I was asked, "why do you talk of injustice if you care so much? Why aren't you going ahead to change something?" i feel awareness is what leads to ideas, and ideas are potentially a cause for change. without realisation, changes can go unnoticed. solution comes from change. change comes from discovery.
The statement, "it is pointless to care for anyone beside those you directly know. It's not our position to help anyone. They were born there so it's their fault and problem if they don't like their living conditions." shocked me. I feel the point of caring is so that those who are downtrodden can envision hope and perhaps believe that cruelty is not deserved. it would seem more effective (easier?) to only care for those a person knows, but generally speaking - i think apathy could be largely abolished if messages and changes were encouraged on an international level (ie the level of general globalised media.) It can be harder sometimes to choose discomfort over apathy, when faced with a need for change.
Some of the problems in third world countries include serious poverty, poor living conditions and sanitation, lack of jobs, food, water and education. A growing issue is the debt some third world countries owe to richer countries. Due to tumultuous conditions, many countries have borrowed money in order to improve living conditions, and have only become further in-debt. Unfortunately most richer countries participate in the great "power play" of global economy, so while some countries attempt to stock the latest top brands in new products, others struggle to gain enough food and water to survive. If debts were cancelled it would mean the start to improving living conditions for everyone. It is generally a part, or even responsibility of humanity to care. One quote is, "what was yesterdays ripple can become tomorrows tidal wave." To me this quote examplifies the effectiveness of caring, even on smaller details.
Sometimes world problems are thought to be the fault of those who suffer from them, and the victims of cruelty are considered the cause. i do not understand how a person can possibly be responsible for the conditions they are born into, nor why a person should be forced to restrict themselves if an environment causes harm. Many people who portray wrongs, or are proof of the existence of wrongness (victims of racism, predjudice, injustice, apathy) are often labelled the "problem." i think this is sometimes driven by a fear of the connection between a person's apathy or dominance, and the oppression another experiences.
at the end of our discussion I was asked, "why do you talk of injustice if you care so much? Why aren't you going ahead to change something?" i feel awareness is what leads to ideas, and ideas are potentially a cause for change. without realisation, changes can go unnoticed. solution comes from change. change comes from discovery.