Justice Not Charity
I have often wondered why, when I meet a homeless person or beggar in the streets of Toronto, with his or her hand out for money, I give to some and by-pass others trying desperately to avoid eye- contact with the latter .If you do make eye-contact it is much more difficult to avoid helping, as then a personal bond, albeit a minor, one has been established.
The response to a request for money and the answer is usually dependent on many factors How close do you feel to the problem? Is the cause worthy of support? How you feel personally that day? Whether you know the person asking for support and their status in the community and a myriad of other factors ,mostly less important,but on a special occasion all important . In some instances a particular condition can play differently for different people ,or play differently for the same person at different time. I give as an example a request for a hand-out in the pouring rain. You might hurry away ,without giving to avoid getting wet, or in the alternative feel very sympathetic towards the person so desperate that he or she has to be out there ,that you stop and help.
When a major charity is looking for a person to head up their organization ,they usually choose a person with money, who has had a relationship with the cause promoted .If a rich man has survived cancer ,he would make an ideal candidate for a cancer fund-raising campaign
Self-Interest is the great motivator in human affairs and raising money for charity is no different
When the Tsunami struck in Asia, the response of the world was instantaneous. Money poured into the agencies working in the area at a very fast rate .We felt the need to help as we could positively relate to the situation. The feeling was “There but for the grace of God go I” Raising money is not an exact science in the western world It does not have to be .We manage with the majority of citizens being looked after one way or the other. We call it Charity, not perfect but functional.
Africa presents a unique problem.Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, thousands of children will die of starvation and curable diseases. The pictures fill our newspapers, but nothing really changes in a permanent way. Even if the money was forthcoming there are other major problems. Many of the leaders in these African States are dictators who funnel the money into their own pocket with the help of Swiss banks, or give the aid to their supporters only. A solution might be found if pressure were placed to allow outside agencies to administer the aid without interference.The United Nations would have to act in this regard. Western Pharmaceutical companies have a major part to play in curing the sickness in this sorry continent . 90% of the research is done on illnesses that affect 10% of the global population.Very little research is done for sleeping sickness, trachoma , river blindness, rotavirus,malaria and other illnesses not common to the industrialized world. Tax incentives , as an act of charity,by our government should be given to drug companies who do this type of research.
The differences in prices for goods and capital between rich and poor countries is 50%-100%.The differences in wages are 500%-1000% It would help these countries if unskilled workers were allowed to work in the west for designated periods of time, and their return to their home country guaranteed. The money would be going to the most needy.
Who among you reading this article has not felt a pang of guilt about this continuing situation. What have you done? What have I done? Relatively nothing! We come from countries and religious creeds who talk about helping the sick and needy. In the end it is all lip service. This is not about bringing food to a food bank so Canadians can get a little more to eat. Nobody is starving in Canada. Nobody is dying of Aids untreated in Canada. The structures of whole countries in Africa will soon fall apart because the leaders and the health care workers are sick and cannot function We cannot allow this to continue There will be a price to pay in the West
Maybe I am a naïve do-gooder but the most important need of any people of any nation is”Justice.” The oldest recorded version of this precept stems from the 6th century B.C.. “What I hold good for self, I should for all” How long would a western government last in power if they allowed their people to die of Aids and starvation. We cannot allow this Injustice to continue.
I want to make eye contact with the people of Africa .I want to personally make a difference. I cannot do it on my own. I feel helpless to help in a meaningful way . Put a new column in the tax form”For Africa.” Tax Canadians individually according to how much tax they pay now and send the money to Africa, not from the Canadian government but from the people of Canada.That would put me directly in the loop and I believe most Canadians would feel good about the process.
