A Struggle for Survival.

 

                We’ve all been there. It’s a typical weeknight. Casually sitting in the comforts of your own home, you’re  flipping through the channels on your 54 inch flat screen TV, seeking relaxation from your hectic lifestyle. An array of colours fills your well-decorated living room as you frantically search for your favourite mind-numbing sitcom. Almost serendipitous, you suddenly stop on a channel broadcasting a World Vision segment. Small African children appear, their gaunt faces jutting through your Panasonic plasma screen, tearing at your heartstrings. On screen, they swat away flies from their grimy, malnourished bodies. As an attempt to retain water, these children’s stomachs are bloated like balloons. Their vulnerability is so horrific, yet so absurdly surreal compared to North American children. These ghastly images are not the product of photo-shopping or retouching. This is a devastating reality for millions of people all across the world. In one corner of the globe, vastly sprawling on 945,087 sq km. of land, Tanzanian citizens are faced with the despair of hunger, poverty, disease, and illiteracy. Many NGO’s have arisen from Africa, determined to halt and prevent these calamities.

                On  Wednesday, May 19th, a group of Langley Secondary School students had the privilege of watching a presentation put on by the Worldwide Family Restoration Society. The Worldwide Family Restoration Society, based out of Coquitlam, British Columbia, is an NGO focused on restoring life and dignity to Tanzanian communities. This organization was started by a group of six like-minded individuals determined to create positive change for communities in Tanzania. The NGO wants to focus on raising awareness to communities within the Lower Mainland, and their presentations are geared toward the future generation. Four representatives of this NGO, Paul Mtatiro, Tully Mtatiro, Viola Ganz, and Ben Ganz, visited LSS to discuss the many projects they’re currently undertaking in Tanzania. Extremely moving, their presentation was marked by authenticity and compassion. With a plethora of African artefacts, students got a real taste of Tanzanian culture and lifestyle. Extremely engaging, students were shown a lion skull, lion skin, drums, knives, bow and arrows, traditional clothing, wood carvings, etc, and were exposed to typical Swahili greetings made in many parts of Africa. Their presentation also spoke volumes for the despair that haunts Tanzanians daily. This presentation put things into perspective for a privileged group of impressionable teenagers; it was truly eye-opening to hear first hand of the dire need for basic necessities. The juxtaposition between North American life and African life further emphasized the growing divide between the privileged and the poor.  

                With a population of 41 million, Tanzania is a country plagued by HIV/AIDS and poverty. Characterized by corruption, the Tanzanian government does not moderate their monetary resources. This mishandling of money is reflected in the low living standards among Tanzanians, whose average wage is $80 per month. Thus, many families can’t afford to send their children to school, which is leading a rise in illiteracy and disease. Disturbingly enough, Tanzanians also lack social services, such as income support and medical services. In a struggle for survival, basic necessities are unattainable for many Tanzanians. The Worldwide Family Restoration Society has been collecting money and supplies that will go towards providing Tanzanians with: clean and safe drinking water, upgraded health care facilities, better education (and resource materials such as text books), and proper nourishment. Currently, the Worldwide Family Restoration Society is working in Chanika, a rural village in Tanzania, with a population of 10, 000 people. Many of these people depend on weather for farming, which becomes problematic if there is no adequate amount of rain to nourish the crops. Chanika lacks the proper access to books, clothing, and school supplies, all of which are rudimentary to send children to school; it is because of the lack of resources that many children do not attend school. Desolate and atrocious, living conditions are small, dirty, and overcrowded. Many children are left orphaned to the perniciousness of HIV/AIDS; this volatile disease has eradicated almost an entire generation that works to provide physical labour to support their families. Thus, the burden of childcare is often thrust upon elders in the community.

                In a world filled with greed and corruption, it’s truly inspiring to see the altruism that manifests itself within some humans. The Worldwide Family Restoration Society’s work demands dignity for the human race. Their benevolence and endearing compassion serve as catalysts for empathy and action, and their efforts are applaudable. They, as well as other NGO’s, set the stage for the leadership initiative that needs to be taken to eradicate poverty, illiteracy, and HIV/AIDS. For the most part, North Americans lead privileged lifestyles. It is up to the more fortunate  to demand egalitarianism for our fellow humans in different parts of the globe. We should not tolerate seeing others living in such low and impoverished standards. “I want a world that is human-centered and genuinely democratic- a world that builds and protects peace, equality, justice, and development…I want a world where everyone lives in a clean environment with a fair distribution of the earth’s resources and where human rights are protected by a body of international law.” You may turn the other cheek with issues that don’t concern you, but please consider this: would you wish that life upon your child?  And if not, why is it okay for someone else’s child to be living this way?

If One Suffers, We ALL Suffer.

Inequality at its finest, economic discrimination is becoming more conspicuous than ever before. There are many faces and sides to poverty. An extremely flexible term, poverty is applicable to thousands of Canadian citizens. In 2005, 10.8% of all Canadians had after-tax incomes lower than the Low Income Cut-Off (more than 3.4 million people).  The most obvious characteristic of poverty is low income. However, poverty is undoubtedly also associated with the lack of choices applicable to basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter, heat, and other utilities. “Poverty is about well-being, including access to health, pharmacare, dental care, education, safe and rewarding work, and the opportunity to engage in community life and activities that are good for the soul.”

There are many underlying causes of poverty, and linked with those causes are the barriers that make poverty so difficult to overcome. Because of its multi-dimensional complexity, poverty can be challenging to solve. The lack of affluence is depicted in many ways; a non-discriminatory term, poverty plagues citizens in many intricate ways. Impoverished people aren’t necessarily homeless and living on the streets. They can be home-owning citizens that depend on government aid (such as welfare programs) to meet their basic necessities. Poverty can be caused a wide variety of factors, both personal and structural. In one of many examples, the lack of sufficient income could be the result of a lack of education, and  in the competitive industries of the modern world, it is of utmost importance to obtain the necessary education/skills required for your trade or industry. There could also be many exterior influences impacting the lack of income, such as the lack of government aid programs, etc. There are many barriers and obstacles in overcoming poverty, such as discriminatory hiring processes, substance abuse, lack of education and resources, gender inequality, etc. Minority groups can be subjected to discrimination on the basis  of their mental/physical capabilities, sex, race, and education (or lack of).For example, “Immigrants and newcomers, aboriginals, and people with disabilities generally experience higher rates of poverty. Women are more likely to be poorer than men, and in particular female single parents.”

As a middle-class citizen, I see myself as being very blessed to have all of my basic necessities met at all times; for example, food has never been a luxury, but merely a basic component of every-day life. In the modern consumerist society, it’s troubling to see so many people living below the poverty line. Constantly stereotyped, they face the harshness of being deemed as the “society’s burden.” Degraded and harassed, these people are not being treated with equal dignity and respect. Just as sexism, racism, and heterosexism marginalize humans, economic discrimination oppresses millions worldwide in many obscure and subtle ways. In this country, we should focus on becoming a more egalitarian society- a place in which “inequality is unjust and justice requires a society to move steadily toward greater equality.”  The Canadian Government should take the necessary steps in aiding and creating programs and policies to further help its citizens. However, “Government action is also the expression of our collective will to do something about poverty,” and frankly, Canadians should never tolerate seeing their fellow citizens living in such low and impoverished standards.

It’s Your World.

The malevolence of human nature was epitomised during World War Two, when over 6 million Jews were systematically murdered in the Holocaust. In response to these nefarious acts against humanity, the United Nations was created in 1945, with hopes of preventing these malicious acts from occurring again. All around the globe, the UN has taken leadership in many peacekeeping missions, humans rights complaints, and humanitarian affairs. (For a description of the humanitarian work the United Nations have done, you can visit their website at http://www.un.org/en/index.shtml) Even after their valiantly commendable efforts in modern day society, the UN hasn’t been as effective as it should be- and the proof lies in the countries still ravaged by war and genocide.

Personally, I would first change the make-up and structure of the Security Council. The Security Council is made up of 10 non-permanent Members (that rotate annually) and 5 permanent Members: China, Russia, USA, France, and the United Kingdom. As a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), you have the power to veto “any ‘substantive’ draft Council resolution, regardless of the level of international support for the draft.” This veto is exercised when any Permanent Member casts a “negative” vote on a substantive draft resolution. With the current genocide conditions in Darfur (located in the Sudan, an area rich in oil deposits), China has used its veto power to deter aid and has “refused to endorse the draft statement calling for the government of Sudan to backtrack on its expulsion of 13 humanitarian aid organizations from Darfur following The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issuance of arrest warrant against Omer Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir for 7 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity on Wednesday 4th March 2009.” Unscrupulously, China is exploiting its veto power to provide their country with economic stability via oil. As one of the biggest trading partners with the Sudan, China has purchased approximately two thirds of their oil exports annually. By having the power to veto substantive drafts, the United Nations is giving too much power to the 5 Permanent Members; no country on the globe should ever be allowed to have that much power. From an outsider’s perspective, it looks as if the 5 Permanent Members are the puppeteers in the United Nations Security Council, delicately undermining the UN’s facade of humanity.

The UN prides itself as being committed “to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights,” but with all due respect, horrific atrocities  and human rights violations are still occurring to this day, and as long as we appease to the world’s superpowers, nothing will be done. In this dog-eat-dog world, it seems that all a country cares about is their economic standing in the materialism of the global economy. How many more millions of innocent civilians will have to be murdered before we stop turning a blind eye to the massacres that are still devastating the world? Shouldn’t the bloodshed of one innocent soul be enough to make you care?

Obsolete Barriers.

In this modern day and age, there are people in our society whose sex doesn’t match their gender- people whose gender identity differs from their birth sex. Everyone in our society, of course, has to come with a label defined by exterior appearances (just so we can clearly segregate others), so these citizens are ostracised as transgenders. Unfortunately, some transgendered citizens aren’t treated with equal dignity and respect. Made to feel ashamed and demeaned, transgenders are constantly battling the odds to be accepted for who they truly are. In the cold, harsh nature of our society, transgenders are faced with prejudicial treatment. Some going through the transitional process (of changing sexual organs) are susceptible to losing their jobs, and after the transitional process, finding employment is next to impossible because of discrimination. Social, there are many barriers to overcome as being a transgender. Often persecuted, transgenders have difficulties in achieving legal recognition of their marriages, can be denied housing, and are at risk to losing their children.

It’s so unfortunate that our society is so cruel to those that don’t fit the typical moulds of what is “normal.” As a looming shadow overhead, the media plays a significant role in brainwashing whole populations; they perpetuate common conceptions of what is “right” and “wrong,” and force these assumptions into the susceptible and naive minds of thousands. Although I can’t relate to being a transgender, I don’t think it’s justifiable to ever judge or discriminate a person because of their exteriors. The words male and female are subjective, and should be completely obsolete. People should be open to exploring their sexuality and gender without restrictions from the narrow-mindedness of a society that conforms its citizens. Everyone deserves equal, non-prejudicial treatment. The bottom line is that regardless of gender, people should be free to be whoever they want to be-male, female, or neither. “You know, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender – people are people.”

Class Act.

According to the province of British Columbia, the educational system “recognizes that children should be enrolled in schools that best fit their interests, skills and abilities. Every child is unique. That’s why the government is encouraging school boards to meet the diverse needs of their students by offering specialty programs or developing ‘magnet schools’ whenever possible.” Providing millions with equal opportunities for success, education opens many doors to future prosperity. Funded by the government, high school education is available regardless of a family’s income. Education in Canada is an inherent birth right, and schools are open to all. Although the discrepancies between groups that graduate grade 12 are staggering, I don’t believe that the government is solely responsible for these gaps. One may argue that certain racial, ethnic, or gender groups are prone to unfair treatment, such as bullying and harassment (which are both detrimental to a student’s growth and future success). However, these issues of abuse are propagated by students, not by the BC Government or the school the child is attending. I’m in no way denying the fact that these inconsistencies are present in the educational system; however, I don’t think it’s fair to blame the government for such pitfalls. For the most part, it is up to the student to put it the time commitment to attend school. Being a successful student requires one to be disciplined and dedicated; from homework to tests, high school is a gruelling (but rewarding) process. It doesn’t matter what ethnicity or gender you are because the educational system is impartial. A person’s racial or ethnic background doesn’t matter in relation to them graduating. No matter what, if a person doesn’t want to put in the time to invest in their education, they won’t graduate (regardless of their exterior appearances).  

 

In the 2007/2008 school year, 58% of Aboriginals graduated from their secondary institutions (i.e. successfully completed grade 12). Because of the horrific and inhumane experiences that previous generations experienced within Residential Schools, a certain amount of mistrust and lack of faith in the school system was passed on and inherited for many years. I am not deterring away from the fact that the implications of these horrific experiences are still resonating within the homes of thousands. However, these previous atrocities shouldn’t be presently conflicting the potential of a student. This mistrust may mean that an Aboriginal parent doesn’t enrol their child in school. That doesn’t affect the graduation rates of Aboriginals, which measure the number of students that do/do not graduate grade 12 (if a child isn’t even enrolled in school, how could does that affect the amount the graduation rate; a person has to be enrolled and in attendance to be applicable for this statistical data measuring the percentage of students that graduate).

A devestating reality.

“Since 1980 in B.C., there have been 40 unsolved murders of women who either worked in the sex trade or were vulnerable to predators because they used drugs, lived on the street, hitched rides with strangers, or earned their living as exotic dancers.” These women have been killed or have suspiciously disappeared along a section of highway from Prince Rupert to Prince George, a span on 720kms. titled The Highway of Tears.

The question of this blog assignment is “to critically analyze why this story has yet to receive the media attention that many stories of missing girl(s) receives,” however, I have differing views with the premise of this blog. In the Robert Picton case, for example, his  infamous “butcher shop” was brought to the police’s scrutiny in February of 2002. Since 1971, at least 40 women were reported missing from the Downtown East-Side portion of Vancouver; for the most part, the women Picton preyed on were drug users, prostitutes, sex trade workers deemed “degenerates” of society. It is interesting to analyze to amount of media recognition that the Robert Picton case received, even though his victims were not considered of “importance” to society (in the similar sense that the victims of Highway of Tears were looked down upon). The point being made is that these cases did receive a great deal of attention from the media, even though the victims were stereotyped as being “low-live drug addicts.”

Other than the Picton case, can you, off the top of your head, name another female that’s gone missing within the past decade (without referring to the internet/newspapers)? The blog’s question implies that other missing female’s stories have been publicized to a greater effect than the Highway of Tears, but I don’t think that’s necessarily the case. I’m simply making the point that even though you haven’t heard about the Highway of Tears, it doesn’t mean that it hasn’t been publicized. The fact that you haven’t heard about this tragedy could be because of your lack of knowledge of current events, and not necessarily because of the inequality present in Canada (although I’m not denying the fact that discrimination is present almost everywhere in this day and age). Personally, I’m not up to date with current events as much as I’d like to be; in my own little world, I often miss the bigger picture, and it’s unfortunate that such ignorance still exists in my life. Perhaps “if we readers cared more about the victims of Highway of Tears, the media would undoubtedly put more necessary attention on this case, because the media sells us what we buy.” I’m in no way deterring from the fact that 40 innocent lives have gone missing. Extremely disturbing, it’s horrific that such events are occurring in Canada in this day and age. It’s such a shame that these cataclysms are happening close to home and no one should ever have to go through such horrific experiences.

Just for kicks?

I’m not sure how many of you are aware of this, but this coming November 20th is “Kick A Ginger Day.” Stimulated on Facebook, this day refers to a South Park episode called “Ginger Kids,” in which one character claims redheads to be “soulless and inherently evil.” On this day, many red-heads are publicly harassed and humiliated because of their hair colour; children and teens with red hair are subjected to pain and embarrassment. One high school student, Aaron Mishkin, came home with bruises covering his legs because of this “event.” As a red-head, I find “Kick A Ginger Day” to be extremely offensive; intolerantly oppressive, this “event” discriminates people based on their hair colour. It’s interesting to see how much the external influences and media continue to perpetuate ridiculous misgivings; it’s really pathetic to see others following these outrageous messages blindly, with no conscience or compassion. I can’t believe that people actually are participating in this event, and I don’t understand how this can be a joke to some people. When is it ever okay to judge someone based on their exterior appearances, and to then condemn them because of your “inherent superiority.” Isn’t that what racism essentially boils down to?

One Person/Infinite Impacts.

                In the past century, there have been many remarkable faces that have shaped the world in which we live in today. Extremely noteworthy, Mary McLeod Bethune greatly influenced the change of racist behaviour towards Negroes. Throughout the 1900′s, Mary opened many “All Black” schools, to ensure that African-Americans had the opportunity to be properly educated. A teacher herself, Bethune truly believed in the paramountcy that education had in positively impacting the lives of youth. As well as creating opportunities for Negro children, Bethune made numerous impacts on American political outcomes. An advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Bethune added valuable input to Congress. For example, when Congress said that $100,000 Graduate Training Fund would be cut from budget, Bethune told President Roosevelt: “Think what a terrible tragedy it would be for America, if, by this action by a committee of Congress, Negroes would be deprived of the leadership of skilled and trained members of their race!” The following week, Congress approved the funding for the Graduate Training Program. Recognized for her illustrious contributions, Mary received the Spingarm Medal, awarded by the NAACP in 1935.  

Before this assignment, I’d never heard of Mary McLeod Bethune’s valuable contributions. Initially ignorant, this task really showed me how powerful and valuable knowledge can truly be. I now have an underlying appreciation for these true leaders that have made immeasurable impacts on their society.

Children matter.

Often marginalized and underestimated, children deserve the same rights as adults. As the backbone to the next generation, children’s rights should be meticulously protected and upheld. Every human being, regardless of age, race, or gender, should be entitled to the rights and freedoms. When signing the Convention of the Rights of a Child, “A State accepts an obligation to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the enumerated rights—including by adopting or changing laws and policies that implement the provisions of the Convention or Protocol.” Unfortunately, on a massive global scale, children’s rights are being violated and trampled on; easily exploitable, children are being taken advantage of everywhere. Often silently oppressed, children do not have a voice in protecting and upholding their rights. I feel that is up to us as citizens to make sure that everybody’s voice is heard and respected. The public should put a great deal of pressure onto corrupt governments to reform unjust policies. Standing idly in silence will not change anything; it is up to the citizens to take charge and speak out against atrocious violations to children’s rights.

Human Rights Violations

In our modernized North-American society, it’s hard to image the hardships and struggles that exist in developing nations. Often times, it’s so easy to focus on the negative things going on in our daily lives; we’re so caught up in our problems that we forget to look at the bigger picture of how truly blessed we are . Currently in Kenya, numerous violations to human rights are occurring. More than half of Nairobi’s population live in slums with no security or protection. The Kenyan government is also carrying out large scale evictions, thus, there is a constant risk of becoming homeless, which is a serious concern in terms of stability for families. In these densely populated slums, people lack access to clean water, sanitation, security, health care, as well as education. As well as there being an enormous shortage to essential social services, the Kenyan’s live in atrocious “shacks” with mud floors and tin roofs. In between these “houses” are alleyways, used for daily commuting (to and from work). These alleyways are extremely dangerous, especially at night where no lighting is present; subject to rape and other forms of harassment, young children are always weary about using these alleyways as walking routes. 

I think it’s really unfair for these people to have to live in such awful, dangerous conditions. Everyone should be entitled to basic human necessities to live comfortably in peace. Everyone deserves to live in security, without feeling threatened or endangered. It’s ridiculous that some governments are letting these kinds of violations happen without taking action to help their citizens. I feel so privileged to live a life in which all basic necessities are always met. Seeing people struggling to have their basic needs met makes me so much more thankful for all the amazing commodities I possess in my life.