Did We Make Poverty History in 2005?
Published by Matt Glover December 24th, 2005 in Questions of FaithHeard an interesting story the other day. One of our schools workers was talking to some students at lunch time when his MPH wristband was noticed. The student said, “They are so cool!”
The worker replied, “Do you know what poverty means?”
“No idea,” the student replied.
Hmm. There’s still some work to do….Anyway, see the review of 2005 from the MPH folk here.
Though I think if you are really serious you will get make poverty history tattooed on your arm rather than where a little band, I am very pleased to here what was achieved this year by this movement. Hope it keeps up.
the rev
Now there’s a thought. You got any room left on your arm?!
well, we didn’t make poverty history, and strictly speaking, we never will. there will always be someone who is richer than someone else. However, our goal should be to eliminate the life-crippling poverty that prevents people from getting an education, and makes them more suceptible to disease and famine. Some people in western nations have no concept of the utter poverty that kills people.
I disagree also with big movements that involve rockstars and celebrities. They need to take a backseat to the real issue, not stroke their own egos: “Look at me! I’m helping the world!”
Ofcourse if they do take a back seat not half as much will get done. The cult of celebrity is used to sell everything, and I don’t see why they can’t use it to sell solutions to the worlds problems when possible. I think Bono and Geldorf have both done amazing jobs of using their status to increase awareness and incite conversation as well as giving.
the rev
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/geldof-and-co-under-fire/2005/12/27/1135445573222.html
Sounds to me like people are upset because they aren’t getting the headlines after working longer and harder. Sour grapes to me.
The bottom line is more money and awareness are there because of them.
The bottomer line is when all people, start doing all they can, we won’t need celebrities to do anything. Now being an anarchist I am all about grass roots change, and small groups of people affecting their communites and the world. But questioning the motives of these people, particularly Bono who is very well read on the subject and lobbies tirelessly, is in my opinion a bit off.
Like what are you saying? “Hey Bono, all we need is your money okay, you are too famous and well known to help us with anything important. Just leave a check and move along, we will take it from here.”
Sometimes egalitarianism sounds like a twisted form of elitism.
the rev
*Sometimes egalitarianism sounds like a twisted form of elitism.*
yeah- I agree with that. “we are middle class, we treat everyone equal, evil rich people don’t” “we are poor- yay us!” etc etc. (sorry not very coherent.)
umm. That’s something I struggle with, equality is for all, even the people who are “above” us.
I guess famous people these days get bad press because they can be negative role-models. When they are positive role models, it is a bit hard to believe, a bit anachronistic.