December. A month full of holidays and events, from Ramadan to Christmas to Hanukkah-it is a fun-filled time. We walk into the malls and are greeted with tinsel, bad Christmas music (If I hear “The Little Drummer Boy” one more time.), and things to buy everywhere.
But this year, when you walk into the stores looking for something to buy, remember .
The fast-approaching winter and the refugees in Afghanistan who are facing a humanitarian crisis of large proportions-with no afood, water, or places to live.
The people who made your sweaters who are trying to make a living on pennies a day, working in sweatshops.
The meatpacking plants in America staffed by illegal immigrants who are denied a living wage and work in dangerous conditions.
The high price of gas-not the price we pay at the pump, but the cost in human life and damage to the environment. Many oil companies support abusive regimes, forcibly relocate entire villages of people and pollute our world.
Throughout the world, human rights are being abused, not just abroad but here in the United States as well. Although it can be easy to ignore problems that are not staring us in the face, these problems will not go away. At times, it might seem intimidating-there are so many problems in the world, how can one person possibly tackle them all?
“If you see injustice, first try to change with your hand, then try to change it with your tongue, and then, if all else fails, hate it with your heart”-Islamic saying. Although it may not be possible to save the entire world in between paper assignments and exams, we can give it a try. Even if we might not succeed in getting McDonald’s to change its irresponsible corporate practices overnight, the effort alone is worth something.
Just becoming aware of the forces that shape our world can be a form of progress. The more people learn about the conditions around the world, the closer we move to solving the problems affecting other human beings. However, learning about some of the more egregious human rights violations in the world is difficult, since the mass media oftentimes ignore these situations or quickly brush over them.
Corporations are powerful entities in the United States, with influence over elections, public policy and media. The big business influence in media results from mass mergers; now seven corporations control virtually all the media outlets in the United States. These corporations have a vested interest in keeping Americans in the dark about their irresponsible business practices. Therefore the majority of America is not aware of others’ sacrifices that have led to their comfortable lives. However, the knowledge is out there-it just takes more effort than turning on the television to find.
Not being aware of situations around us does not absolve us from the responsibility to help find solutions to pressing issues in the world. One of my favorite shirts says, “All it takes for evil to succeed in the world, is for enough good people to do nothing.” If we all sit back, complacent and not aware of the human beings suffering around us-in a way, we become guilty of perpetrating injustice as well. Even if we cannot take direct action, we can at least support those who are.
At Saint Louis University, we are taught to be “Men and Women for others” and during our time here and afterwards, we should always strive to remember the forgotten “others” of the world.
All too often the lack of American citizenship, a differing race, religion or ethnicity relegates the suffering of people in the world to the dustbin of our consciousness.
So this holiday season, when you are making merry with friends and family, pause and remember the millions of suffering people in America and beyond, and take those first small steps towards change.
Read a book, learn some facts and open your eyes.
Lubna Alam is a junior studying history.
