There are millions upon millions of people who are suffering through poverty, hunger and disease — just to name a few.
That’s why a lot of good people have started various fundraising efforts to help relieve disadvantaged people.
However, the way some people try to help out simply isn’t enough. I’m saying raising awareness does not help as much as some people think.
Barefoot Awareness Day
Last week, one such event was “Barefoot Awareness Day” on Thursday, April 8.
The premise of the event was to go barefoot all day to show what it’s like to not have money or access to shoes.
In some developing nations, children must walk miles for food and clean water.
For instance, in Ethiopia, it has been reported about one million people suffer from Podoconiosis, which is a disease that is caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
In other words, the people who went barefoot all day were put in the “shoes” of people who have no choice but to go barefoot, just to experience what it’s like.
It’s a ridiculous idea, and I’ll tell you exactly why.
The action was sponsored by a shoe manufacturer, TOMS Shoes.
For every pair of shoes bought on April 8, they sent a pair to a child who doesn’t have any.
Tell me, how much money do you think they made just because of this?
People flocked to buy shoes from them in order to “help out” the children. I think the company only did this to help themselves out.
I approve of organizations working in Africa, but this action looks to me as some kind of awareness-building brand for TOMS Shoes rather than a real attempt to solve the problem.
While it was a popular event that a lot of people participated in, I really doubt it inspired anyone to do anything.
How many people who went barefoot did anything about it? I’ll bet it was less than 5 percent of the participants.
Yes, it was a great way to get people thinking about the issue. However, one week from now, will many people still be thinking about it? I doubt it.
That’s the inherent problem of raising awareness. It forces people to realize there’s a problem, but it doesn’t go to that next step of doing anything else about it.
The most vital step in humanitarian work is following through and making a difference.
Barricade of Boxes
There’s another event coming up next week that is specific to IU Southeast. It’s called Barricade of Boxes, and it’s a yearly event that supposedly makes people understand what it’s like to be homeless by sleeping outside.
Don’t be fooled. It’s not simulating homelessness. It’s a glorified camp-out.
Every year, a group of students take advantage of their normal comforts that actual homeless people couldn’t.
For example, some have their friends bring them food, such as pizza. Do homeless people order pizza? No.
Another thing that bothers me is the students can go inside any time they want.
Can the real homeless take refuge in the IUS Game Room if it feels too cold outside? Hell no.
Many of the people that go also use this as a social event.
Last year, I saw people taking photos of themselves with their boxes, using their cell phones, playing portable video games and going inside one of the buildings to use the bathroom.
This is an insult to the homeless community.
Why not volunteer at a soup kitchen? Why not host a clothing or blanket drive to give these poor people some comfort? Or why not talk to actual homeless people to get real insight into the problem?
These people are playing pretend.
The Horizon might as well host a “Princess Day” to bring attention to the troubles of princesses in the community.
That would be as useless as the Barricade of Boxes event.
Grow up and get serious.
This is a real problem that deserves respect.
Most people participate in things that raise awareness just so they feel like they’re making a difference, while, in fact, they’re doing nothing productive.
If the organizers of the Barricade of Boxes really want to raise awareness, I would gladly truck actual homeless people to the event.
However, then no one would show up since it would actually simulate homelessness.
Don’t champion this lazy, meager effort to bring awareness to the issue of homelessness.
These people are camping out on campus. If you want social justice, you have to pursue other avenues.
Raise money and send it to humanitarian organizations so children can have shoes.
Hell, start your own humanitarian organization if you feel strongly about it.
I’m not condemning anyone for what they’ve done to raise awareness. It’s good that people are trying, however, I’m saying there’s a better, more efficient way.
Do something meaningful.
By JOSEPH DEVER
Senior Editor
jwdever@umail.iu.edu