As the logo says, today is the annual Blog Action Day. This year's topic? Poverty. A fitting topic, and not just because I took a vow of poverty the other day.Speaking of, here's what our groovy Constitutions have to say about our vow of poverty:
The spirit of poverty calls us
to work for a more just society
so that all may be enriched
by a more equitable sharing in the
goods of the earth. (CSJP Constitution 56)
The news these days is filled with the financial crisis. I am reminded of the food crisis this past summer. Remember that? I was at the UN with our NGO representative for a conference on sustainable development. There was an economist there from India I think it was, who pointed out that the food crisis was not new. Hundreds of thousands of people had been starving every day and no one paid much attention. Then, it starting affecting the middle class in developing countries ... a constituency who voted ... and all of a sudden it was a crisis worthy of attention.
Yes there does seem to be a financial crisis. But for millions of our brothers and sisters around the globe, there has always been a financial crisis.
Globally:
- At least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day
- According to UNICEF, 26,500-30,000 children die each day due to poverty.
- Less than one per cent of what the world spent every year on weapons was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn’t happen
(sources)
- 36.5 million Americans live in poverty.
- 15.6 million Americans live in extreme poverty, that is with incomes below half the poverty line.
- Children represent 35.2 percent of all the people in poverty in the US.
(source)
Please join me in taking action to end poverty today.
- Pray
- Take the Poverty USA tour
- Donate or volunteer locally with a food pantry or soup kitchen
- Donate globally via Kiva (microloans), Catholic Relief Services, Heifer or another worthy organization
Gracious God, may we work for a more just society so that all may be enriched by a more equitable sharing in the goods of the earth. We pray for the day when all will be fed. Amen.
5 comments:
Great post..Well done x
That bit about "then it started affecting the middle class"--that's the rub. We avoid poverty by ignoring it. Will it hitting the middle class make those with some power recognize the poverty that is there? We avoid poverty just by the word. Poverty is a concept. The poor. Now, the poor you can see and talk to. Poverty you can talk about--till the cows come in.
Maybe we should slaughter a couple of the "cows" and feed some of those poor--and talk to them.
Boy am I rambly today!
Hmmmm. Interesting blog. Interesting thoughts on poverty.
I miss the ecumenical co-operation that used to exist on issues like this before Ratzinger seized control.
I think the financial crisis has made a lot of people myself included, experience what it feels like losing control of ones life. And it’s scary, it’s like why me then you realize why not me. So many poor are dealing with trying to feed their children or themselves and are facing starvation. It really has humbled me to feel scared that I am worry about trivial things, vacations, going out to dinner. I will never give money that kind of power over me again. I am going to work hard for the poor and do what ever I can to take action to end poverty. You took your vows and I think I’m going to make my vow to really try and make a difference. We can do this if we work together.
Thanks for the great post.
I've been thinking about blogging about this topic myself for several days. Hopefully I'll have a chance to do that in the near future.
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