|
|
| by Christine Urquhart, age 17, Malvern Collegiate, Ontario, |
Jul 12, 2004 |
I feel my project struck a chord with young people. In our consumer nation, drugs and products are seen to be “essential,” but generally more in the aesthetic sense. Lip balms, make-up, brand-name clothes: these are our “essential” items purchased daily at drug stores and malls. On the other side of the world, African teens are lucky just to have clean water to drink, let alone eighteen different eye shadows and hair gels. Our differences in culture are what divide us. In reality, these differences should unite us. I am sure African teens would also like the latest “J-Lo” perfume scent or chocolate candy bar. But they would just like water and anti-AIDS drugs first. This is why “March for AIDS” was such an effective project. By winning our “essential” items (the prizes from my draw) we are helping to provide money to buy African teens and their families their “essentials” (anti-AIDS drugs and funding). In giving out these prizes, I hope to educate the participants about the triviality of our consumer nation, while simultaneously raising awareness. I believe that, by starting in my community, I am starting global change, for all change starts small.
Among all the numbers, statistics, letters, and devastation, I truly believe there is hope. I refuse to give up. We are far away from silencing the AIDS epidemic in Africa, but the bottom line is that it must be silenced. Financial barriers, politics, and apathy are all factors that are still holding us back. However, we can see instant effects in our own community. We must start small so we can see results. Without a positive attitude, we can achieve nothing. We need to cast aside both complacency and laziness. Raising money for drugs is a crucial need to sustain and support Africa’s economy and stop the unnecessary death of millions. As Maya Angelou, a famous poet and civil rights activist, simply puts it, “Nothing will work unless you do.” We cannot change the channel. We can care. We must help.
Bibliography
CIDA and Partners. HIV/AIDS. Butterfly 208. 2003. February 8, 2004.
http://www.bp208.ca/contest_themes_hivaids.php
Clark, Bruce and Wallace, John. Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues. Toronto: Prentice Hall, 2002.
Gordon, Mary. “Fighting AIDS in Zambia.” Toronto Star, January 18, 2004: F2.
Gordon, Mary. “Specter of Disease Haunts African Parents, Children.” Toronto Star, December 2, 2003: A16.
Nolen, Stephanie. “AIDS Burden Falls Upon Zambian Grandmothers.” The Globe and Mail, December 20, 2003: A22.
1 Bruce Clark and John Wallace, Global Connections: Canadian and World Issues, 2002, p. 395.
2 Ibid., 393.
|
Tags
You must be logged in to add tags.
|
Comments
You must be a TakingITGlobal member to post a comment. Sign up for free or login.
|
|
