if i could save the world
I am a moron when it comes to politics.
Ohh right...so Jean Chretien's not prime minister anymore? Ever notice that Paul Martin's initials are the same as the initials as Prime Minister? Welcome to my mind. I'm not grounded. I can't concentrate. When I read about politics the words become blurry and fade into one.
Tonight I went and saw Hotel Rwanda and spent the entire movie clutching the neck of my top and holding back tears. The movie was amazing. Realistic. Horrific. Eye opening.
I walked out stunned. I walked out feeling overly aware of my place in the world. Here I am in Toronto,city lights all around; money in my pocket; small worries in my mind.
All around the globe people are fighting, dying, suffering. I didn't just suddenly realize this, this has been going on throughout my existence. I've lived in Norther Ireland where the fighting may never stop, I've seen the photos of prisoners being treated like road kill in Iraq, and I've watched the twin towers crumble to the ground. All around the world people feel they have something to prove.
In trying to wipe out another kind or race because they are different you are fighting the world. You are fighting yourself. Are we so inarticulate that it takes screaming bloody murder to create change?
Now I feel tortured by the idea of not doing anything to help everyone and anyone in need. How can I sit here on my iMac and complain about body image? How can I go buy clothing and accessories when people need food? It is so easy to be passive. Tomorrow I will go back to my routine.
With journalism I may earn a magic key. Maybe if I can touch people with my writing...maybe...I can do something with this precious life of mine.
I'm still figuring things out. I still want everything. I still want to be bigger than my body allows me to be. Higher than the clouds.
But damn...it feels good to feel.
Ohh right...so Jean Chretien's not prime minister anymore? Ever notice that Paul Martin's initials are the same as the initials as Prime Minister? Welcome to my mind. I'm not grounded. I can't concentrate. When I read about politics the words become blurry and fade into one.
Tonight I went and saw Hotel Rwanda and spent the entire movie clutching the neck of my top and holding back tears. The movie was amazing. Realistic. Horrific. Eye opening.
I walked out stunned. I walked out feeling overly aware of my place in the world. Here I am in Toronto,city lights all around; money in my pocket; small worries in my mind.
All around the globe people are fighting, dying, suffering. I didn't just suddenly realize this, this has been going on throughout my existence. I've lived in Norther Ireland where the fighting may never stop, I've seen the photos of prisoners being treated like road kill in Iraq, and I've watched the twin towers crumble to the ground. All around the world people feel they have something to prove.
In trying to wipe out another kind or race because they are different you are fighting the world. You are fighting yourself. Are we so inarticulate that it takes screaming bloody murder to create change?
Now I feel tortured by the idea of not doing anything to help everyone and anyone in need. How can I sit here on my iMac and complain about body image? How can I go buy clothing and accessories when people need food? It is so easy to be passive. Tomorrow I will go back to my routine.
With journalism I may earn a magic key. Maybe if I can touch people with my writing...maybe...I can do something with this precious life of mine.
I'm still figuring things out. I still want everything. I still want to be bigger than my body allows me to be. Higher than the clouds.
But damn...it feels good to feel.
posted by Gillian Young at 8:09 PM
6 Comments:
It's a little broad to say there's nothing you can do. Saying that is a slap in the face to aid workers, charities, and journalists who put their life on the line to show the truth. You can't change the world...but there are things you can do.
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This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
There's nothing you can do to stop the war, but there are ways to help. Many people have proven they do care, putting their lives on the line in trying to save a few. Even if you're only creating awareness, you are doing something. Whether it's in my backyard or not, it's in my face daily and I'll still remember this in three days.
But I do see what both of you are saying, and I know I'm no hero, and may never be one for that fact.
Fuck I keep making spelling mistakes and you can't edit your comments.
Sorry, I need some more clarification here.
Your quote: "As European, not hindered by a patriotism-clouded vision on America, its easy for me to say this:"
How is this relevant? The original commentator is not American nor has she expressed any patriotism for America, or any other country for that matter. Unlike many Europeans, North Americans do not define themselves by continental names and it seems to me that knowing that is a basic premise of International relations. I hope you realise small factual errors in your opening statements call the legitimacy of the remaining comments into question.
Then this quote: "Nothing will ever change in the world as long as corporations use muppets with power to force their will upon those who cannot fight back."
Do you think the world has always been the way it is? I can remember when socialised medicine (yes, we have equal access health care in Canada, not a two or three tiered system like most Western European countries) and other social programs worked better than they do now. I can remember a time when corporate activities, if not greed, were held in check my more responsible governments. Governments that people have been blackmailed into voting out in panics for their jobs.
"Some corporations want oil? Some muppet will order the bombing of a country that has access to oil."
Well, gee. Everyone knows that. Perhaps you, like millions of other people, should start running your diesel-powered engines on recycled vegetable oil? It works and doesn't harm the performance of your engine. Or, are you worried that doing something small and proactive will take a little effort and research? I say that things in this world will never change because the selfish little pricks of the world would rather shoot their mouths off than stop consuming.
"Some corporation wants to maximize profit in production? Some muppet in a 3rd world country will take a handful of dollars as bribe allowing his people, their children and their natural environment to be exploited and abused."
"It's gonna be like this as long as people stive for money and power."
I hope you realise that the overall effect of your post is that you, personally, strive for nothing and therefore, your inaction maintains tha status quo.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
US anthropologist & popularizer of anthropology (1901 - 1978)
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