The Social Verdict
Social awareness, the elusive characteristic that many people fail to grasp, is as vital in today’s interconnected and hi-speed world as any other skill one will learn throughout life. Due to the globalization effect as well as the swift development of communication technologies, it is very hard to keep up with world events in today’s world.
For a student, that becomes even harder when the social scene as well as the academic requirements of school or university come into play. However, because of the demands that will be placed on our generation, it is more important than ever for us, the young adults of today and the leaders of tomorrow, to be aware of the global community. We are the generation that is expected to fix global warming, the upcoming AIDS crisis, imminent fresh water depletion, global poverty, and overpopulation among many other world crises. While these are very daunting tasks, their solutions will require the efforts of many, if not all of us. That is why we need to begin today and everyone needs to contribute to the solutions of global problems.
Philanthropy, the latest Western trend, is described as a general concern for human welfare and advancement coupled with the generous act of giving or donating time, money or resources for socially useful purposes. Philanthropic efforts are rarely in vain and anyone can produce a simple philanthropic act. It is these philanthropic acts that will add up to form solutions for global problems. There is no way any problem will ever be solved if the people who have will not be willing to do something to help those who have nothing.
There should exist a universal moral obligation which every individual imposes on themselves whereby the helping of an individual should occur simply because there are means to provide such help, regardless of how inconsequential or material the help may be. It is this moral obligation which often yields quick and direct results that makes us appreciate the power of giving. However, I propose that a greater moral obligation is necessary, one which may not yield quick results or even results that directly affect those putting in the effort.
Why should we help those who can’t help themselves? Three words should provide a sufficient answer. Because we can.
If we can make a difference in the life of a child halfway across the world, then it should be our moral obligation to do so. If it is possible to save the life of innocent civilians murdered in third world countries because of racial origins, then it should be our moral obligation to do so. If it is possible to educate a single mother halfway across the world about safe-sex and protection from sexually transmitted diseases, then it should be our moral obligation to do so. If it is possible to save the life of a child dying from thirst in poverty-stricken nations, then it should be our moral obligation to do so. Why? Because we can
As young adults, we can volunteer our time in our community or abroad for socially progressive programs that help those in unfortunate situations. As adults, we can provide monetary donations to responsible organizations that promote human welfare and social development. As human beings, we can ensure that we live in a socially aware world by sharing and discussing world events and raising our own kids to be socially aware and responsible. Why? Because we can.
If everyone in the world did their little bit, the world-wide effect of such a movement could help cure any ill this Earth will possess. However, it is impossible to convince six billion people to act in unison towards a goal they may have little desire of achieving. That is why it begins with the actions of a few. It is our turn to act. The problems affecting the world of tomorrow can be avoided if we act today. We are the next generation, but are we the generation that the world has been waiting for? I propose to each and every person reading this piece to impose a moral obligation upon themselves to simply do their bit to help those who cannot help themselves. Can our generation be the generation this world needs us to be? That is up to us and our willingness to help those who can’t help themselves simply because we can.