Do you need to be born in Africa or Haiti
to be saved
What about the single mother in the ghettos
of Detroit
Will an actor or politician or philanthropist
deem you worthy
Of a rescue from a situation that as assuredly
kills
Cable TV asks for your money for the starving
third world
While lost souls in your shadow are homeless, crying
—in plain sight
(Norristown Pennsylvania: January, 2021)
-
Author:
Kurt Philip Behm (
Offline) - Published: January 10th, 2021 21:38
- Category: Unclassified
- Views: 9
Offline)
Comments1
'Will an actor or politician or philanthropist
deem you worthy
Of a rescue from a situation that as assuredly
kills
Cable TV asks for your money for the starving
third world
While lost souls in your shadow are homeless, crying
—in plain sight'
this was and is my biggest gripe about people heralding individuals like Oprah (just one example) as some empathetic touchstone to the examples of humanity our world needs,
all those cars and expensive gifts she gave to her audience (via sponsor connections, no doubt), while she drives to and from her offices bypassing all those homeless and needy,
I know some may find my words 'ungrateful' or 'twisted' if they care to check my listed country of birth, but I truly believe working to improve local conditions will yield more sustainable results...
but, their is an aspect 'in our giving mentality' that we never speak about or question I feel (all of us):
that feeling of empowerment over those we 'deem worthy' of our help is somewhat unhealthy and it make sense if we are in-denial of that fundamental aspect in our action, we also - prefer to assume such tragedies aren't taking place locally, or else who do we blame?
See, when we offer help to 3rd world country's or causes via charity entity's who never reveal their 'profit margins', we assume the problems being addressed are caused by 'other's' far removed from 'normality',
ergo, we simply don't want to admit
our complicit roles
in the horrors we ignore: on our very roads...
Another important and meaningful write my friend,
forgive me for sharing my opinionated - self-righteous views in your comment section
Again, I truly appreciate and welcome your thoughts. "Charity" (in lieu of a better word) should start at home. Giving money to an 800 number is keeping the problem beyond arms length and at bay, while those around you suffer in plain sight.
Thank again.
Kurt
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