The Decision to Do Something Good
In the course of participating in a project to raise awareness of global issues, specifically in developing countries I became aware of a challenge we all face. In the Canada, the USA and most of Europe we go about our daily lives and it is easy to forget what is happening in other regions of the world. Sure, we all read the odd article about the latest catastrophe in Africa or the Middle East. Most of the time however the ongoing issues the developing world faces are out of sight and out of mind for most people.
Most people are aware that there are constant famines, civil wars and natural disasters taking place on an almost daily basis in the developing world. However if we were asked to discuss 2 or 3 current events in sub-Saharan Africa for example, most people would not be able to tell you. Looking at what occupies the majority of mass media these days it is not difficult to understand why this this. Most major news websites and blogs are devoted to North American and European issues, the economy, politics, tech and lets not forget the alarming rise of ubiquitous celebrity gossip. In reality there is nothing wrong with any of these things, however they have a way of drawing our attention away from things that we don't want to think about.
Human suffering and catastrophe are never pleasant things to comprehend, especially because many people feel helpless to do anything about it, but in the information age we are running out of excuses as to why we can't help. It is now easier than ever for citizens to pressure governments that are treating their people unfairly. It it now easier then ever to donate to a charity that combats these issues. It is now easier to encourage people in your network to do the same.
We are at a unique point in history, never before has information flowed so freely around the world. If an individual is serious about doing their part to end some of the strife and hunger in the world they can, regardless of income, education or social standing. On a basic level most of us are good people. If we understand another persons plight and feel we can do something to help, we do. That is why is is so important the we become educated about the issues occurring globally today. It is not so that we can all run off to do work in third world countries, it is so that millions of people can each do their own small part and the result will be nothing short of amazing. This is why I decided to start Do Something Good. Not because I am a saint (or anything even close) but because I felt there was something I could do to make the world a little better.
Do Something Good is a news a current events bog with a twist: all articles includes simple suggestions for the reader to positively impact the situation the article covers.
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