How Will We Be Remembered?
by Alex Hutchins
There are two types of malnutrition: the type that comes from proteins and the type that comes from calories; it is the latter that is used to measure global hunger.
In round numbers there are 7 billion people in the world. Thus, with an estimated 925 million hungry people in the world, 13.1 percent, or almost 1 in 7 people are hungry.
by Alex Hutchins
There are two types of malnutrition: the type that comes from proteins and the type that comes from calories; it is the latter that is used to measure global hunger.
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The world currently produces enough food to feed everyone despite recent population growths; the problem is either not having sufficient land to grow food or not having sufficient money to buy the food grown by someone else. In 2005, it was estimated that 1.345 million people worldwide live on less than $1.25/day.
While hunger and poverty have existed in the world for many years, what many of us may not realize is that it exists right here at home…
In 2010, 17.2 million households, 14.5 percent of households (approximately one in seven), were food insecure, the highest number ever recorded in the United States 1 (Coleman-Jensen 2011, p. v.) . Read more
Also in 2010, it was determined that children were food insecure at times during the year in 9.8 percent of households with children (3.9 million households.) In one percent of households with children, one or more of the children experienced the most severe food-insecure condition measured by USDA, very low food security, in which meals were irregular and food intake was below levels considered adequate by caregivers (Coleman-Jensen 2011, p. vi).
I know… I know… these numbers are hard to believe, especially here in the great country of America where we have so much wealth, so many natural resources, so many Churches, and so many politicians who claim they care and that they have solutions, if elected. I supposed that these “so called” solutions will not be shared if they are not elected?
I just don’t understand the mentality of Leadership, either worldwide or in America that would allow poverty and hunger to exist anywhere in the 21st century. We may have made great strides in technology, in defense, in healthcare, in agriculture, and in creating wealth, but we seem to care nothing about mankind. We spend millions on a Presidential election that will, for the most part, change nothing.
America will still be controlled by the wealthy, big business, and lobbyists. Our leaders will continue to lie, cheat, and have affairs and perhaps pardon those who were sent to jail earlier, not clever enough to hide. Americans will still want their freedom of speech, their right to bear arms, their right to drink and smoke and have abortions due to careless sex while turning their backs on the rest of the world because they were not born in the right place.
Who really cares? ...the 1%? ...the 99%?
We can do nothing to fix ourselves, our neighbors, our families, much less the rest of the world. But, I do not suppose too many of you will worry about this for very long... will you?
America will still be controlled by the wealthy, big business, and lobbyists. Our leaders will continue to lie, cheat, and have affairs and perhaps pardon those who were sent to jail earlier, not clever enough to hide. Americans will still want their freedom of speech, their right to bear arms, their right to drink and smoke and have abortions due to careless sex while turning their backs on the rest of the world because they were not born in the right place.
Who really cares? ...the 1%? ...the 99%?
We can do nothing to fix ourselves, our neighbors, our families, much less the rest of the world. But, I do not suppose too many of you will worry about this for very long... will you?
2 comments:
It is very distressing to see people suffer in any way, but to allow conditions in the world that prevent people from having access to affordable food and clean drinking water in inexcusable. My limited efforts to help resolve this situation is to pick charities to continually support - ones that I have researched and know the money is going to get to the desired effect. It just as important to do this for local as well as national organizations. Locally I have chosed to support the efforts of my own church who is not only helping parishioners but outreach programs to children in Tijuana, which we consider "local". And, no, I don't forget and won't forget. It is more distressing now than it has ever been. I am also concerned with our on nation pushing people into such poverty they cannot afford proper food. This does not have to happen nor should we find it acceptable. It does not require a redistribution of wealth. It means making sure our laws are fair, giving everyone opportunity and not be limited to just those who have insider privledge.
How else to bring the people into "submission?" Deprive them of food and basic necessities and people will do whatever it takes to feed their children. The concerted effort by our government and others, is afoot. They want us barefoot and pregnant so to speak so we will not speak out. Unfortunately there comes a point where people have "had it" i.e. the OWS movement. If the government thinks this is just a fad, they need to get a grip, we aint going away and we will affect change, one way or another. Unfortunately it will most likely take violence to affect the change we need in this country.
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