What does it really mean that I have these causes, stances, and symbols displayed on my laptop? Am I really doing anything to better the world? By putting a Fair Trade sticker on my latptop, am I helping out the fair trade movement?
Am I raising awareness?
I would guess there are very few people in the Western world who would not wish to Save Darfur. Genocide is not on my list of favorite things. A good majority of college students have likely heard of the crisis in Darfur. But can we do anything to change the situation? What does wearing a Save Darfur t-shirt do?
Do I put my Fair Trade stickers on my laptop just so I can be comfortable, so I can complacently continue to buy Kroger's coffee while entertaining a wishwashy attitude towards supporting third-world farmers? Am I displaying these images to project an image, or perhaps to make myself feel good?
Raising awareness is not a negative goal. But are we satisfied with only this? When do we move from raising awareness to doing something about a problem?
6 comments:
Everything has to START with awareness. If you don't know the specifics of a problem or if you don't even know about the problem itself, it's hard to work to solve. But once I learn about it, it is NOT enough merely to educate someone else. I have to DO something about it in order to really make a difference.
"Everyone talks about changing the world, but no one bothers changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy
This brings me back to a presentation, an "assembly," if you will during my senior year of high school. The "Invisible Children" organization came and played a video showing homeless, scared, poverty-struck children. Did I feel bad? Absolutely! Did I wish to "be a part of the solution"? Of course! However, they did not suggest ways in which we could help other than "promote awareness." I left the assembly feeling depressed and worthless. I felt like there was no way that I could really help the poor children in Uganda. (None of this is meant to discredit the Invisible Children organization...I think they do great things and I think the assembly was just poorly thought through and an isolated incident. Also, I will be in the Invisible Children's talent show on Saturday. Come see me! (It is a fundraiser, not just an awareness thing.))
With all of that said, I feel like there are some issues when awareness is a very large and important step. For example, I think a great way to prevent people from getting AIDS and STDs is simply to promote awareness about birth control and the risks that come with having sex.
PS I like that I can count on Ryan Goellner to comment. I feel that despite/because we have differnt opinions on many issues, we can have insightful and respectful dialogue. Also, Ryan, I am glad you are my friend...just wanted to make you "aware."
I agree with Ryan. Everything has to start with awareness and even though wearing an invisible children t-shirt might not actually help to save the invisible children, it certainly makes others think. A couple years ago, I had no idea what the Invisible Children organization was about, but now, thanks to all of the awareness they have raised, I understand the issue and problems they are representing. Sure, I might not be able to do much, but I can try to do something and that's better than doing nothing at all.
Obviously just wearing a t-shirt doesn't really make a dent, but I do agree that it does raise awareness. I think many of us want to help, but the time, energy, and resources are not available to us, so all we really can do is wear the t-shirts; I mean, it's a start. I also think of those items you can buy that supposedly will send the proceeds to an organization in need like the red AIDS phones. I myself have a ring I wear constantly that is sponsored by the Breast Cancer Organization. Do I feel that I've contributed greatly to the cause by buying my pretty pink ring? No, not really. Maybe it's because I haven't really sank into the cause so much as to really feel immersed. But with school, no money, and a busy lifestyle, what do you expect? I'm sure that we, as college students, are doing everything that our time and energy will allow.
Like Laura said, awareness is an important step, but it just isn’t enough. I think that when people continue to raise awareness, they believe they have done their part. They feel good because they participated in the cause and some, not all, stop their. I know that there are plenty of people who go further and raise money or help in some other way. But I feel like the majority of people use raising awareness as an easy way out to give themselves a self confidence boost.
Though awareness is subjectively the most important step to change, it should not be the only step. If we feel strongly about something I believe it is our own personal duty to bring awareness, but to also gradually step forward in helping to solve whatever problem we are advocating awareness for. If a bunch of people just wore t-shirts and had bumper stickers for awareness the problem would never be solved. With that said, I believe if you feel strongly in something, you should become proactive in trying to solve the problem.
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