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| Children in Poverty |
Social hierarchy is an unfortunate
reality that exists in many societies around the world. It can manifest in
various forms, including economic status, race, gender, or other factors that
create an unequal distribution of resources and opportunities. Such
inequalities can affect children in particular, who may be forced to work at an
early age to help their families make ends meet.
Growing up in the Philippines, I
witnessed firsthand the impact of social hierarchy on our society. I attended a
public school where social hierarchy was evident, and I noticed how privileged
I was compared to some of my peers. I had access to nutritious food, clean
clothes, and a comfortable home, while some of my classmates struggled to meet
their basic needs.
Sadly, my experience is not unique.
Globally, millions of children are affected by poverty. According to the United
Nations (2021), an estimated 385 million children live in extreme poverty, lacking
access to commodities such as food, water, healthcare, and shelter. These
children are also at a greater risk of exploitation, including forced labor and
trafficking.
This awareness of social hierarchy and poverty, and its impact on our precious youth inspired me to create an art piece depicting four children carrying a heavy bag of bananas to sell on the street. Through my artwork, I wanted to shed light on this harsh reality of children-- obligated to work at a young age to support their families and themselves. I also wanted to raise awareness of the privilege that many of us take for granted and the importance of helping those less fortunate.
In today's materialistic society,
it's easy to forget about the struggles that some people face as we focus on
our own desires and wants. Children living in poverty are particularly
vulnerable. Poverty can affect them in many ways. Not only is their access to
basic needs limited, but it can also have a significant impact on their
physical and emotional well-being, denying them the opportunity to reach their
full potential.
It is not the responsibility of
these children to solve the problem of poverty. Hence, it is essential for us to
recognize their struggles and work towards creating a society that is more
equitable and just. As individuals, we can make a difference by advocating for
policies that promote social justice and equality. For example, supporting
initiatives that provide greater access to education, job training, and
healthcare can help to alleviate poverty and create opportunities for unprivileged
children and families.
In addition to advocating for
policies, we can also support organizations that work towards improving the
lives of those affected by poverty. These organizations provide necessities
such as food, clothing, education, and shelter, as well as other support
services such as healthcare, counseling, and job training. By supporting these
organizations, we can make a meaningful difference in these people’s lives.
“Like a boil that can never be cured so long as it is covered up but must be opened with all its ugliness to the natural medicines of air and light, injustice must be exposed, with all the tension its exposure creates, to the light of human conscience and the air of national opinion before it can be cured (The Art of Activism, pg. 109).” This quote is from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail"; it implies that injustice is like a hidden wound, that needs to be exposed and treated in order to be cured. It suggests that exposing and confronting the ugliness of injustice can create tension, but that this tension is necessary for change and healing to occur. Hence, I shared the poster on social media, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and posted it in privileged neighborhoods, as well as on our campus with the help of my friends. I believe that it can raise awareness about poverty and get people to take action towards helping alleviate poverty and help our children. Through increased awareness, those with privilege may feel compelled to donate to organizations that work towards improving the lives of the disadvantaged. They may also use their privilege to advocate for policy changes that could help reduce poverty and inequality.
To address the issue of social hierarchy and poverty, we need to work towards creating a more just society. This can be achieved by advocating for policies and supporting organizations that work towards improving the lives of children and families affected by these issues. Even though poverty and social hierarchy cannot be completely eliminated, we can change people's attitudes towards it and create a more equal, empathetic, and compassionate society. As The Art of Activism points out, "While it’s often impossible to change the physical realities of our situation, we can change the ways in which people make sense of that reality" (pg. 95). In other words, we may not be able to change the circumstances, but we can change people's perceptions of them.
With all said, a crucial reminder in the process of taking action on any social problems is to not only demonstrate what we are against in the present but also to create a vision of a better future. As the same book notes, "When we act in order to bring about social change, it’s important not only to 'demonstrate' what we are against in the here and now, but also to create a vision of the world we would like to bring into being in the future" (pg 94). It is not enough to merely criticize the way things are. This, perversely, can actually reinforce the status quo by recentering what is. What’s also needed are new models for the way things might be.
Inspired by these artists:
1) Nas and Damian Marley.
"Patience" is a song by Nas and Damian Marley that speaks about the struggles of living in poverty and the importance of perseverance and hope. The song is a powerful commentary on the systemic issues of poverty, inequality, and injustice that affect many people worldwide.
In the song, Nas and Damian Marley talk about the hardships faced by people living in poverty, such as struggling to make ends meet, facing discrimination, and dealing with violence and oppression. However, despite these challenges, the song encourages people to have patience and keep pushing forward toward a better future.
The song also speaks about the importance of community, unity, and love in the face of adversity. It highlights the need for people to come together to fight against injustice and to support one another in their struggles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4NlW43QNQQ
2) Zeyn Afuang, the photographer of the picture I referenced my artwork with. She admires the happiness and contentment of those affected by poverty.
3) Sharon Alexie, a French-Cameroonian artist. She uses her art to tell the stories of her people.
4) Audrey Hepburn, her love for the children.
Works Cited
Duncombe, Stephen, and Steve Lambert. The Art of Activism: Your All-Purpose Guide to Making The Impossible Possible. O/R, 2021.
United Nations. (2021). Child Poverty. Retrieved September 30, 2021, from https://www.un.org/development/desa/undesavoice/feature/2018/06
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