A different kind of war
Let me introduce myself. I am a designer, living in Holland. I do not consider myself a wealthy person, but I earn a suitable income. I have a home. I have plenty of food. I have family and friends. I even have time and money to spend on luxury and entertainment.
However, this is not reality for everyone. According to the UN [1] an estimated 1.4 billion people live below the poverty line. Today the world population is around 6.86 billion people [2]. That means that approxemately 1 out of 5 people on this planet does not have enough money to feed themselves or their family, don’t have a healthy place to live and don’t have the resource for medical expenses. 1 out of 5 doesn’t have education. 1 out of 5 doesn’t have anything.
This year an estimated 8.8 million children younger than 5 years old will die because of causes that could easily be prevented [3]. That is 24,000 children every day.
Let’s compare this to the events on September 11th, 2001. The death toll of that violent attack was 2,995 people [4], including the 19 hijackers. Because of that attack the United States, along with other countries, engaged in a war with both Iraq and Afganistan. According to the NPP the costs of the Iraq war is now 737 billion dollar [5]. The death toll of this war (Iraq) is now at least 97,000 innocent civillians [6].
At first the war against Iraq seemed just because of the cruel attack on September 11th. But in light of the poverty statistics mentioned earlier, the war only reveals how utterly selfish we are in the way we spend our resources. We are willing to pay the price of 737 billion dollar and 97,000 innocent lives to take vengeance for an attack that killed just 3000 people.
I noticed that this selfishness is not only notible in our politics. It is clearly visible everywhere around us, rooted deeply in our culture. Even though I know that this world is a mess, I am still persuaded to look at fancy cars and buy expensive clothing. Many of us work years to be able to afford an expensive house. We are willing to give up everything, just so we can fulfill our own selfish dreams.
This can no longer be. The fact that I live in the west, the fact that I earn an income, proves that I have been given the opportunity, but also the responsibility, to fight injustice and poverty. I must take action. We have been fighting the wrong battles for a long time. Now it is time to rise up and fight against injustice.
I do not now how much impact a single person could have in this battle. I know that significant change only comes when many people work together. However, I find it a great honor to participate in the war against injustice. I’m the only one who can change me so I will do my very best. In the meanwhile I’ll be thinking/writing/speaking a lot on this subject so keep an eye on this space!
Goodnight,
- LK
ps Editorial feedback is welcome. Also if you have questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
References:
[1] The Millennium Development Goals Report 2010.
[2] U.S. Census Bureau - link.
[3] One.org - link
[4] Wikipedia on the September 11th attacks - link
[5] National Priorities Project (see www.costsofwar.com)
[6] Iraq body count - link