October 16th, 2014
I’m happy to once again take part in Blog Action Day. Light Green Stairs has participated since the beginning in 2007!
The topic this year is especially important. Inequality exists all around us. Frankly, this topic is so important, it’s difficult to be specific in just one blog post. But I’ll try…
Rich and Poor
Oxfam is a key partner for Blog Action Day 2014. According to them, the richest 66 people in the world have as much wealth as the poorest 3.5 billion. (A previous report indicated the richest 85, but that number has since been updated to the richest 66. It’s getting worse!)
What does this mean, and why care?
If you’re poor, you’re more likely to die sooner than a rich person. Part of the reason is lack of access to health care. But another issue is the inability to afford healthy food, or living in a food desert with no access to healthy food. And extreme poverty is very stressful.
What else does inequality mean?
Yeah, I told you it’s difficult to be too specific with this issue! It’s not just about income. Inequality exists on many levels:
-Inequality against women, including violence, attitudes, sexual harassment and getting paid less than men for the same work
-Inequality against the elderly, including just not taking them seriously or placing value on their lives
-Inequality against the disabled, including bullying or not affording the same opportunities as abled-bodies people receive
– Inequality based on race, including police violence against unarmed black teenagers
What can you do about it?
First, take a look at your own beliefs and attitudes. No one is perfect, including me. Ask yourself how you can work to make things better, not just in the United States, but anywhere in the world where there is suffering caused by inequality.
Most importantly, ask yourself how you can help end poverty. Your work could be political, or it may be humanitarian. It could be as simple as volunteering to help someone improve their literacy skills, or donating to a nonprofit that fights poverty.
Finally...
Stay in touch with the conversation on Blog Action Day, October 16, with these hashtags: #BAD2014 #Blogaction14, #Inequality, #Oct16
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