Putting poverty in perspective
Today is Blog Action day, a day when thousands of bloggers all across the world team up to write about one topic in order to bring awareness to that issue. Last year, we wrote about the environment. This year, the topic is poverty.
In all honesty, poverty is a topic that’s tough for me to really grasp. Unlike many of my friends, I haven’t traveled extensively to Third World countries, so I haven’t had to look poverty in the face very often. And when I do, it’s removed – on the TV screen, or via a story that someone is telling me.
I don’t think that many people who live in the United States truly understand poverty the way people in other countries experience it. I am not trying to say that people who live below the poverty line in the U.S. have it easy – that certainly is not the case. But the definition of poverty in other countries is vastly different than what we think of when we consider being poor.
These are two examples that really put things in perspective. Don’t worry – neither one is scary or filled with manipulative images. They are both just meant to give you an idea of where you fall in the midst of the world population.
Global Rich List – this site will show you how rich you really are when compared to everyone else in the world. Just type in your income, and you’ll find out if you’re richer than you think.
The video embedded below is short – just one minute – but will give you another good look at where you would fit in if there was an island that was cross-section of the world divided by income level.
After checking out these resources, you might feel like you have a little bit more to give. If so, I would like to ask you to join me today in making a donation to your favorite charity that fights poverty. If you don’t have a charity in mind already, World Vision is an excellent organization that makes good use of every dollar donated.
And, if you have a blog, it’s still not too late to sign up to be part of Blog Action Day.
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Tags: Blog Action Day, Global Rich List, poverty, World Vision
October 16th, 2008 at 6:15 am
Hey Melissa,
You’ll be very surprised that you have a fan in far-away Nigeria (yes, Nigeria). I stumbled on your blog when I was looking for some resources for a paper on online marketing. It turned out that you linked some rather useful information. I fell for your writing and there started the very quiet romance with the 16th Letter.
Yep, America has no idea what poverty is. Last week I was in Liberia visiting a friend who works for USAID. After 14 years of war, Liberia supplies electricity only to its streetlights, where they exist. The rest of the country is plunged in darkness. My friend lives in an expat compound with a swimming pool and 24-hour security which runs three generators 24 hours a day. Outside it’s gates is a slum right beside the beach. I live in Nigeria (which is practically next door), and I’m still in shock at how poor a lot of the people are. Maybe it would help if the rest of the world was shocked too…
October 16th, 2008 at 11:05 am
hi Seyi,
Wow, you’re right, I had no idea that I had a fan all the way in Nigeria. Thanks so much for writing and sharing your story.
What you’re saying here really highlights another important point – that traveling to other parts of the world is one of the best ways to gain some understanding about other cultures and lifestyles that we otherwise would have no idea about. There is only so much that we can learn from reading and watching TV and movies and hearing the stories of the people from the country. Some things just have to be seen in person to be believed.
Thanks again for sharing your story.
Melissa