Poverty
Northern Ireland is famous all over the world for being a dangerous and difficult place. Actually, it's alot better than it used to be as far as the tribal violence goes - although it still has its moments. What many people here don't stop to consider though is how organised and blessed a society we live in in Northern Ireland. This country still has a welfare state that means no-one need go hungry, without a roof or without medical care. True, the system is not perfect by any means but compared to the developing countries or even the welfare systems available in the U.S. or some continental European countries - we have little to complain about.There are many people, including in the area where I live in West Belfast, that are disadvantaged people but there is no true poverty here.
The health of the underprivileged (for want of a better word than "poor") is less good than those better off. There are higher rates of cigarette smoking, obesity, alcholism and other addications. The underprivileged die younger and suffer more ill-health in general. I can see it around me everyday. What gets me is that it is all unnecessary. Even someone living on sick pay or unemployment benefit can eat well, have adequate (if not exactly top-class) clothing, medical care and shelter. Yet many (I'd say most) of my neighbours smoke too much, eat mostly readymade meals, drink to excess at least once a week and spend most of their leisure time in front of the TV.
I am damned if I know why this is the way it is. Is it a combination of lack of education and the effects of the constant bombardment of advertising. If we are going to avoid the waste of the Earth's resources and cut through the exploitation practised by multinational capitalism ordinary people are going to have to start saying no to the constant call to consumption that we hear everyday. It is not enough for a few weirdos with college educations and middle-class values to reject the false idols of consumerism. An ethical, consciously-lived life is the birthright of everyone. Why in a society where no one need really worry about the necessities of life do so many blindly consume their way into early graves? Why do we not appreciate what we have?
The health of the underprivileged (for want of a better word than "poor") is less good than those better off. There are higher rates of cigarette smoking, obesity, alcholism and other addications. The underprivileged die younger and suffer more ill-health in general. I can see it around me everyday. What gets me is that it is all unnecessary. Even someone living on sick pay or unemployment benefit can eat well, have adequate (if not exactly top-class) clothing, medical care and shelter. Yet many (I'd say most) of my neighbours smoke too much, eat mostly readymade meals, drink to excess at least once a week and spend most of their leisure time in front of the TV.
I am damned if I know why this is the way it is. Is it a combination of lack of education and the effects of the constant bombardment of advertising. If we are going to avoid the waste of the Earth's resources and cut through the exploitation practised by multinational capitalism ordinary people are going to have to start saying no to the constant call to consumption that we hear everyday. It is not enough for a few weirdos with college educations and middle-class values to reject the false idols of consumerism. An ethical, consciously-lived life is the birthright of everyone. Why in a society where no one need really worry about the necessities of life do so many blindly consume their way into early graves? Why do we not appreciate what we have?
posted by voluntarysimpleton at 1:34 PM
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