PATRIA ES HUMANIDAD*

Lesson 3:

Narrow the Socio-Economical Divide.

The basic principles of most eastern religions center themselves around balance. The balance between good and evil, between dark and light, and of course, between rich and poor. This principle, indeed, plays an integral part in the injustice of modern world economy and how it affects those on the losing end.

American represents less than 5% of the world's population and yet we account for 50% of the world's market. How is it that one country has such absolute economic power while other countries struggle to survive? It boggles the mind to think that half of the combined incomes of the wealthy 1% would eradicate world hunger. It raises the question: should we be held responsible for the dying, helpless, and sick when we "work so hard" for our money? It is appalling that such a large portion of this country's population feels no responsibility for our global community. Has the "Good Samaritan" parable taught us nothing?

"In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. \The next day he took out two silver coins^[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have."

-Luke 10:30-36


You can also consider this idea in a non-theological way, you could say perhaps:

"if I am walking past a shallow pond and see a child drowning in it, I ought to wade in and pull the child out. This will mean getting my clothes muddy, but this is insignificant, while the death of the child would presumably be a very bad thing."

-Peter Singer, "Famine, Affluence, and Morality" Philosophy and Public Affairs, vol. 1, no. 1 (Spring 1972), pp. 229-243 [revised edition]

How can we consider ourselves good people when we can nonchalantly sentence people to die? There is something very wrong with a world who praises charity work because it isn't "required." We should all be doing whatever we can to help our fellow human. We are living in the age of the internet. Of an infinite possibility for information and communication. Anything that you could probably want to know is available at a click of a mouse. So is world news thrust into our field of vision with the media. Images of tragic human suffering along with accompanying stories fill websites like DemocracyNow.org and YouTube.com. No one can use the excuse that they just "didn't know." We all know what's going on... we must now do something about it.

The biggest problem is the giant economical divide separating us from third world countries. Of all the world's resources and products, the United States holds such a large portion that other lands are left barren wastelands. Above American companies raping foreign soil, we have our own government wreaking havoc in places where we have some economical interest (read: how much can we gain by paying the least?) These shady economical practices have left many of the world without funds, without natural resources, without medical care, without functioning governments, and without food. We have grossly tipped the balance in our favor so that we may enjoy everything while others scrape away with little, or worse, have nothing. Can the country go on this way in good conscience? We have always prided ourselves on our thirst for justice, but do we live up to that image? If people would give up just some of their unnecessary luxuries and instead donated it to a worthy case, perhaps most of our global epidemics would see their end. How hard would it be to pass up that Coach purse, that dinner out to Chili's, or that new substandard blockbuster film when it would means a life? If we gave away just a fraction of what we spend on ourselves, we can give hundreds of thousands, maybe millions, a chance to live better, fuller, more healthier lives. It is up to us to help those who cannot help themselves as a result of oppression.

Please, worthy causes are just a second a way, search an organization and enjoy the karma.

*Because "the only real nation is humanity." (Kidder, 209)

Simply,
EveryMan


___

Kidder, Tracy. Mountains Beyond Mountains.