Traveling long distances certainly allows me
plenty of time to analyze, to ponder, and to reflect. On what, you might ask.
Anything really, I would reply. Specifically this past week, a certain theme
stirred my brain while I was listening to a particular song on the radio. I
guess that’s the side effect of listening to too many songs while driving
across the country...
The song is performed by John Mayer and I have no
idea what the exact title is, but the line “waiting on the world to change” is
what grabbed my attention and what I will focus on here. In accordance with the
message coming through the lyrics of this song, I have heard many acquaintances
and friends argue that the world we live in demands that people sometimes act in ways
that might not be aligned with their aspirations for all humans to be able to
enjoy their basic rights. When I discuss with them the issue of human
trafficking, for example, they seem to honestly believe that everyday people do
not have the power to stand up for freedom and overwhelm the unjust system oppressing
so many. Simply put, they are convinced that there is nothing they can do to
avoid purchasing slave-made products and ensure that all labour is
appropriately rewarded. Lastly, they content that if that world were to change
and allow for equal access to basic necessities to enjoy one’s life, then they
would be ready to join in and will not fight the new world at all.
Well, I am tired of everyone wanting the world to
change while continuing to live lives that reinforce the existence of
inequality, poverty, and slavery. The moment someone starts saying, “If things
were different,…,” I emphasize that we cannot simply wait for the world to
change so that we can act in ways that are environmentally friendly and that do
not require that those less fortunate are regularly exploited. We must play an
active part to bring about the change we want to see. To achieve this, we need
to work hard to become not only better and more educated consumers, but we
should also evolve to become better and more educated advocates. Since each
person is an integral part of the unfair world she or he is not satisfied with,
the best place to start the process of change is within that same person. And since I am still under the influence of a music theme, I just have to include here one of the greatest songs on the importance of personal change.
-
Krasi
