It really does take a village to help the underprivileged
Alexis Finger
Issue date: 2/2/07 Section: Ed-Op
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How many of us know people who are homeless and have nowhere to go; starving and nothing to eat; or sick, disabled and no health insurance to pay for a doctor's visit or medicine to take away the pain?
Perhaps because most of us have never experienced such primal deprivation and consuming fears, we don't hear a shattering scream of outrage throughout the country about the cuts in programs that help the poor and tax cuts that help the very rich. Isn't it tragic that unless we personally experience the loss of something basic to our personal survival, our lifestyle or our self-image, there is no urgency to solve a problem? If it's not our problem, what's the rush?
Last winter, there was a blackout in my neighborhood. It was a windy, bone-chilling night. For over twelve hours, we had no power, and therefore, no heat, no stove, no microwave, no lights, television, music, treadmill, computer or fax machine, and for many people, no phone. It was terrible! I'm spoiled, and I know it. I have it easy. I couldn't stand losing my basic conveniences, so I was angry and frustrated over PECO's lack of progress. In spite of the terrible wind, darkness and bitter cold, I kept muttering to myself: "Why can't they fix this problem? What's the matter with them? I'm freezing. How can people live like this!" How indeed.
After a relatively sleepless night, I decided to leave my igloo and find a warm place to wait it out. While I was gathering a few things to take with me, I had an epiphany. Three things struck me so compellingly I had to sit down despite the cold. First, I realized I had no reason to complain. I was fortunate to have the option of getting into my car and temporarily escaping the discomforts of my home until the lights and all my other conveniences were restored. Second, my anger had to be inconsequential compared to the anger, frustration and consuming desolation of people who live in a country as wealthy as ours and are daily deprived of the basics: decent housing, nourishing food, job opportunities, accessible transportation and adequate health care. Third, feelings of frustration and desperation can do terrible things even to basically good people. Take away the essentials for survival, which begin with a feeling of self worth, and people, especially young people, who have never had the time or cause to develop self-respect or a code of ethics, are easily seduced by drug dealers and recruiting terrorists who offer them a way out and a menu of self-destructive acts that hurt other people, too.
Perhaps because most of us have never experienced such primal deprivation and consuming fears, we don't hear a shattering scream of outrage throughout the country about the cuts in programs that help the poor and tax cuts that help the very rich. Isn't it tragic that unless we personally experience the loss of something basic to our personal survival, our lifestyle or our self-image, there is no urgency to solve a problem? If it's not our problem, what's the rush?
Last winter, there was a blackout in my neighborhood. It was a windy, bone-chilling night. For over twelve hours, we had no power, and therefore, no heat, no stove, no microwave, no lights, television, music, treadmill, computer or fax machine, and for many people, no phone. It was terrible! I'm spoiled, and I know it. I have it easy. I couldn't stand losing my basic conveniences, so I was angry and frustrated over PECO's lack of progress. In spite of the terrible wind, darkness and bitter cold, I kept muttering to myself: "Why can't they fix this problem? What's the matter with them? I'm freezing. How can people live like this!" How indeed.
After a relatively sleepless night, I decided to leave my igloo and find a warm place to wait it out. While I was gathering a few things to take with me, I had an epiphany. Three things struck me so compellingly I had to sit down despite the cold. First, I realized I had no reason to complain. I was fortunate to have the option of getting into my car and temporarily escaping the discomforts of my home until the lights and all my other conveniences were restored. Second, my anger had to be inconsequential compared to the anger, frustration and consuming desolation of people who live in a country as wealthy as ours and are daily deprived of the basics: decent housing, nourishing food, job opportunities, accessible transportation and adequate health care. Third, feelings of frustration and desperation can do terrible things even to basically good people. Take away the essentials for survival, which begin with a feeling of self worth, and people, especially young people, who have never had the time or cause to develop self-respect or a code of ethics, are easily seduced by drug dealers and recruiting terrorists who offer them a way out and a menu of self-destructive acts that hurt other people, too.
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