Before I came to this part of the world people talked to me about the intense and visible poverty and income disparity that, in many cases, made it impossible for them to fully enjoy being here. I thought I was prepared. I thought I understood, but until you experienced it first hand, it's hard to fathom fully. It's not like I've never seen poverty before, either in the US or other places I've been, but because of the sheer number and visibility of the poor, it can be especially overwhelming. It's not like they're tucked away somewhere "else". There is nowhere else. Add the extra issue of the effects of war and weaponry on an entire population, there is no way to not be moved.
All of the things I've seen that are amazing have been created with the lives of thousands of people, usually at the whim of one. There are times when, between the awe I feel for the beauty or magnitude of what I've come to see, I am heartbroken or disgusted or angry. I try to take into account cultural differences and belief systems. I remember that it has always been this way and that's what makes me the most sad.
Life is hard
but for some it's much much harder.
That's reality
Yes, I know I sound naive or as though I've been unaware in the past. It's not that. It's always made me sad. The fact that I am privileged enough to be able to come here and spend money to see all this and then make any kind of comment about it at all, is uncomfortable and gives rise to a not inconsiderable amount of guilt and embarrassment, deserved or not.
I was back in the States briefly and several times when I saw people begging I thought "well fuck, you have arms... AND legs"
Yeah
All of the things I've seen that are amazing have been created with the lives of thousands of people, usually at the whim of one. There are times when, between the awe I feel for the beauty or magnitude of what I've come to see, I am heartbroken or disgusted or angry. I try to take into account cultural differences and belief systems. I remember that it has always been this way and that's what makes me the most sad.
Life is hard
but for some it's much much harder.
That's reality
Yes, I know I sound naive or as though I've been unaware in the past. It's not that. It's always made me sad. The fact that I am privileged enough to be able to come here and spend money to see all this and then make any kind of comment about it at all, is uncomfortable and gives rise to a not inconsiderable amount of guilt and embarrassment, deserved or not.
I was back in the States briefly and several times when I saw people begging I thought "well fuck, you have arms... AND legs"
Yeah