So often the world sits idly by, watching ethnic conflicts flare up, as if these were mere entertainment rather than human beings whose lives are being destroyed. Shouldn’t the existence of even one single refugee be a cause for alarm throughout the world? – Urkhan Alakbarov (Azerbaijani geneticist, Professor and contributor to a number of UNDP (United Nations Development Reports)
Do we enable the suffering of millions needlessly as we turn our heads or stare nonchalantly as images of suffering cross our T.V. screens? Have we become desensitized by images of suffering? The harsh reality is yes, we have enabled suffering with as we turn a blind eye to the struggles and strife around the globe. One does not have to wield a gun in battle to cause suffering, for those who sit by and watch acts of violence and do nothing also cause harm, pain and suffering by enabling those who commit violence to continue to act with little to no retribution.
I was struck recently to interview a volunteer, knowing full well I would take her on, for she told me she was driven to contact me and become involved as “we live in a world of one minute compassion”. These words were the same reason I, and many others, have been driven to establish programs that incorporate individual and community involvement in issues. All too often one turns on the T.V., or picks up the paper, to see the latest news, and is birraged with images of suffering and destruction, of course human nature causes one to feel sadness and disbelief, but all to often these sudden emotions is were it all ends. Overwhelmed with images we look find ourselves shocked and dismayed, thinking that is sad, but we continue with, what can I do! This sudden switch from emotive to brushing aside the issue to go about ones daily life is the norm. So how do we escape the world of ‘one minute compassion’? We have to leave citizens with more than images of destruction and suffering, we must give them actions, so they can no longer make a statement of ‘what can I do’, but find answers to the question of ‘what can I do?’
Alakbarov is right, there should be cause for alarm at the sight of even one refugee throughout the world, however alarm alone will not end the suffering of millions upon millions around the globe, it must be accompanied with action and sustainable solutions to ensure that the cycles of abuse and hate come to an end.
