2008 Woodie Awards
Holiday season is full of ways to help the poor
Ian Parker '10
Issue date: 12/8/06 Section: Opinion
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Christmas is almost upon us. It makes us think of buying gifts, getting trees, and sitting down to nice dinners with family and friends. The approach of Christmas means one other thing, though. It means that AIDS week is now officially over and we will no longer see the signs around campus, attend the meetings, or hear the sermons about it at Mass. Just because it is out of sight, though, does not mean the problem should be out of mind. Even while you and I think about what presents to get or what we are going to do over the break, hundreds of millions of people live with this and other diseases. Many more live in poverty and hunger, including many in our own country. Although knowledge of these facts should not ruin our break, there are many things everyone can do easily over the Christmas vacation to help with these problems.
The most important solution to problems such as these is not immediately evident. In knowledge, though, lies the key to solving world issues. The more people know, the more they can do. They can not only directly affect the plight of people through their own contributions, but they can also exert an indirect pressure by making politicians adopt their views. Once this happens, we can finally start to tackle the roots of these problems: corruption, ignorance, and a lack of health care. The most important thing students can do over this break is spread the word. Fortunately for us, it's also the easiest thing to do.
Important as it is, though, knowledge alone will not conquer the problems right here at home. In our cities, thousands of people live in poverty or on the streets. The best things they could get for the holidays are the social services provided by shelters, food kitchens, and public clinics. These important services need volunteers, and there are few things more rewarding than allowing people to have the sort of holiday they wish for. It is never too late to sign up and start doing some good.
Another way to do good over the break happens to coincide with an important Christmas task. Buying gifts is something we all have to do, and if there is a way to help the world while doing it, then all the better. Fortunately for us, such a way exists. Several months ago, Bono started the company (RED), which partners with companies to create products that contribute a portion of sales to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Gap, Converse, Emporio Armani, Motorola, and Apple all have products that take part in the project. Looking for a gift for your socially aware friend? Get him a pair of specially designed (RED) Converse. Maybe your iPod just broke? Buy a (RED) iPod and contribute to solutions for diseases around the world.
There is no shortage of ways to help. The most important thing, though, as always, is to make sure that AIDS week was not just a temporary experience for us. Knowledge of the plight of the world should be living inside of us every hour of every day. Only through knowledge can we hope to win against ignorance, poverty, and disease. A great American philosopher once said, "Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness," and nothing could come closer to what the spirit of Christmas is all about.
The most important solution to problems such as these is not immediately evident. In knowledge, though, lies the key to solving world issues. The more people know, the more they can do. They can not only directly affect the plight of people through their own contributions, but they can also exert an indirect pressure by making politicians adopt their views. Once this happens, we can finally start to tackle the roots of these problems: corruption, ignorance, and a lack of health care. The most important thing students can do over this break is spread the word. Fortunately for us, it's also the easiest thing to do.
Important as it is, though, knowledge alone will not conquer the problems right here at home. In our cities, thousands of people live in poverty or on the streets. The best things they could get for the holidays are the social services provided by shelters, food kitchens, and public clinics. These important services need volunteers, and there are few things more rewarding than allowing people to have the sort of holiday they wish for. It is never too late to sign up and start doing some good.
Another way to do good over the break happens to coincide with an important Christmas task. Buying gifts is something we all have to do, and if there is a way to help the world while doing it, then all the better. Fortunately for us, such a way exists. Several months ago, Bono started the company (RED), which partners with companies to create products that contribute a portion of sales to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Gap, Converse, Emporio Armani, Motorola, and Apple all have products that take part in the project. Looking for a gift for your socially aware friend? Get him a pair of specially designed (RED) Converse. Maybe your iPod just broke? Buy a (RED) iPod and contribute to solutions for diseases around the world.
There is no shortage of ways to help. The most important thing, though, as always, is to make sure that AIDS week was not just a temporary experience for us. Knowledge of the plight of the world should be living inside of us every hour of every day. Only through knowledge can we hope to win against ignorance, poverty, and disease. A great American philosopher once said, "Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness," and nothing could come closer to what the spirit of Christmas is all about.
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