![Photos with messages like these always spark an interest in me, as I wonder where exactly people get these ideas from. The images we receive of the “third world” and “Africa” are always grim, and we are often in the position to somehow help the “unprivileged”. Because of this, we are left believing messages like this one, that “children like this dream of having [our lives]”. I will not deny what-so-ever that we (people of the western, “first” world) are privileged in many ways we often forget and take for granted, such as the ability to freely pursue education and unlimited access to food, water, pretty much whatever we want. Along with these things, we are given bountiful amounts of choice- whether it be what religion we follow, how we live our lives, etc. While there is plenty of injustice, we are still incredibly blessed with abundance.
With all these things said and acknowledged, it is of so much importance that we remember that where we have material wealth, we lack in many other areas, and the lives we pursue in the western world are often at the expense of other people in some way (if you’re not convinced, please look into the start of neoliberalism and globalization in the world and their histories/ global trends since their start).
Yes, I would say that millions around the world may desire our material wealth (or even just our privilege of having food to eat everyday,) but always remember that it doesn’t mean they desire/ need the culture that we have developed in the western world: one that thrives on greed and overindulgence.
A culture that, in my opinion, lack many values that richen our world.](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx43v65qei1r55gebo1_400.jpg)
Photos with messages like these always spark an interest in me, as I wonder where exactly people get these ideas from. The images we receive of the “third world” and “Africa” are always grim, and we are often in the position to somehow help the “unprivileged”. Because of this, we are left believing messages like this one, that “children like this dream of having [our lives]”. I will not deny what-so-ever that we (people of the western, “first” world) are privileged in many ways we often forget and take for granted, such as the ability to freely pursue education and unlimited access to food, water, pretty much whatever we want. Along with these things, we are given bountiful amounts of choice- whether it be what religion we follow, how we live our lives, etc. While there is plenty of injustice, we are still incredibly blessed with abundance.
With all these things said and acknowledged, it is of so much importance that we remember that where we have material wealth, we lack in many other areas, and the lives we pursue in the western world are often at the expense of other people in some way (if you’re not convinced, please look into the start of neoliberalism and globalization in the world and their histories/ global trends since their start).
Yes, I would say that millions around the world may desire our material wealth (or even just our privilege of having food to eat everyday,) but always remember that it doesn’t mean they desire/ need the culture that we have developed in the western world: one that thrives on greed and overindulgence.
A culture that, in my opinion, lack many values that richen our world.
(Source: janis-joplin, via oneexistence)
