Quilt’s, UT’s literary magazine, last Open Mic happened last Thursday, and what a glorious event! As a writer it is always rejuvenating to spend time with other writers, immersed in different styles and views of the world. While there, I heard a bit of politics in the form of poems by John Michael Windham about how fortunate we are in this American society, yet we take it for granted. So many people in the world look at us and think of us as blessed to have an education, clean water, food, functioning sewer systems, actual beds and, best of all, fast-food.
Yet we look at ourselves seeing only struggle, constantly focusing on our difficult lives and the challenges we face as individuals.
It is not selfish to notice one’s own particular struggles; it is selfish however to neglect the struggles of the world. People who make a difference don’t start by doing big things in foreign nations; they start at home. They start by looking at needs in their own communities, working hard with love and dedication—that’s how humanitarians are born.
It’s easy to ignore suffering when it’s some kid from some Third World country on a commercial, because that suffering is way out of your ball park. Yet, how can you ignore the suffering that is in your backyard?
Walking to Walgreens, I often see the same homeless guy sleeping under the bridge. He has a wheelchair, and sometimes I catch him reading a book, sitting there with his moth-eaten gloves. But I have never tried to help him; I haven’t asked him if he was hungry, or if I could help him out with a dollar or two, a shower or an extra blanket.
Why not? Because it’s a lot easier to just keep walking and say that he’d only use the money I give him to buy drugs or think he’s homeless because he’s a lazy bum. Or it’s safer because he may intend to rob me, or beat me up—oh, the little excuses we tell ourselves to keep us from compassion.
Being fortunate is not something that we do on our own, many people contribute to the maintenance of our standard of living, therefore it would be astoundingly loving to contribute to someone else’s life in turn.
When I heard about America back home in Zimbabwe, I could have sworn that the streets were paved with gold because that’s how America was presented.
Yet there is as much of a divide between those who are fortunate and those who are not. The America whose paved, golden streets are the mecca of humanity’s material desires is only real for the affluent.
With the holiday season before us, I think we should do something positive to change that standard. Christmas should inspire us to open our arms and nurse the impoverished at our front doors, help the homeless, feed the hungry and give them that warm feeling in one’s toes that comes with realizing someone cares about you.
Add more cheer by brushing up on your philanthropy. Perhaps if we all do that (myself included) this Christmas will be a lot merrier for everyone!
Philippa Hatnedi can be reached at phatendi@ut.edu.
The more you do this, the more you’ll attract positive qualities and experiences into your life, the better you will feel about yourself, and the more success you will achieve.