Has the world ever been more restless?! The Arab Spring, ISIS and ISIL, Israel and Palestine conflict. Protests in Hong Kong. Displacements in Sudan, which not many news agencies cover. Ukraine and Russia. Ebola in West Africa. Despite our limitaions we must explore what we can do about the chaos and injustice in the world.
Unfortunately I don’t have the space and time to delve into detail the things I’ve just mentioned. Some of the tensions, war and death is caused by people. Humanity somehow seems to constantly fight against itself. Are we self-destructing?
I’m not in anyway an expert. I’m just trying to make sense of things. I, and neither can you, deny the fact that the ripples caused by a pebble halfway around the round don’t touch you. They do. For example, there are times we feel what is happening in the middle east when we pour fuel in our cars. For some people that is the sum of how they’re affected.
When we look back only then will we fully understand the extent of how the world will be shaped by some of these challenges.
In regard to some events, world peace (whatever that is) seems to be under threat.
Before I get too carried away talking about what is wrong (because it is most talked about), let’s explore what we can do about the chaos and injustice in the world:
Talk
Talking has been undermined. Sometimes the best and only action that is possible is talking. Talking about unrest and injustice helps us not to forget about it.
You cannot advocate justice without bring attention to injustice. Talk about injustice (Click to Tweet)
In our era of social media and online publishing it is easier to rally people as you talk about things. I’m not saying the world’s problems will be solved by talk only. I’m saying conversations about injustice are an important part of the equation.
Use whatever tools and skills you have at your disposal. Write, blog, paint, podcast, make music, movies whatever…
Do Something
As much as we criticise political and world leaders, they’re are just as perplexed. Their wisdom is limited. Some acknowledge that without being dissuaded from action. Sometimes bad calls are made; better some action than none?
So, what can ’the average’ person do? Besides engaging in conversation, act against injustice in your community. Give money and other resources to people doing work where you can’t go yourself.
Organise a street shop, start a non-profit. Give of your skills. Feed or educate one child. Just do something.
Commend those giving of themselves. They need to be appreciated and encouraged.
See
We must guard against being callous. We have to find ways to stay connected and sensitive to injustice. If, even for a moment, you can live in the same conditions that some live, do it. Some may criticise this but do whatever you can to stay sensitive. Stay connected to the plight of others.
Accountable
Holding leaders and governments accountable cannot and must not be done in isolation. Talk about injustice, do what you can about it and hold public institutions accountable.
Public service institutions on their own are unable to solve the challenges. Poverty and other epidemics will never be eradicated solely through government initiative. This applies to whatever part of the world you live in; from developing to developed nations.
Keeping public institutions accountable helps keep them focused on their purpose (Click to Tweet)
Politicians will not solve all the world’s problems and we must stop expecting them to. However, this doesn’t mean we can’t expect something from them as we seek to address injustice in the world.
Tweetables:
You cannot advocate justice without bring attention to injustice. Talk about injustice (Click to Tweet)
Injustice is justified when we don’t act against it in some way (Click to Tweet)
Politicians will not solve the world’s problems; we must stop expecting them to (Click to Tweet)
image: gratisography