I am starting to find the sticker more of a hyporcritical and navie statement rather than one of influence (like almost all bumbper stickers I see). It is fine to support a great "idea" but in reality the driver probably cares more that people regonize him or hers peaceful intentions. Stickers are never going to stop war, end poverty, save the enviroment, or solve world hunger...they never have. Its time people start taking ACTION rather than hiding behind little sayings and t-shirts that promote world peace. I have recently started to volunteer for the International Refugee Committee as a family mentor. I am working with a family that has recently come over from Bhutan, in fleet of the political turmoil. The roots of the political turmoil are found in multi-ethnic groups and religion. Their religion has created a caste system, where those of lower caste are highly subjected to torturing and genocide. I am greatly appreciated to be living a life where I have not experienced such hatred, but am also greatly appreciated to be aware of the fact there are those less fortunate who are in a constant battle with society's corruption. I do believe its possible for Co-Existence, and although there are many ugly truths to our world, I still think we can change. Working with this Nepalese family has been a wake up call for me, and realize that our "good ideas" or "good bumper stickers" are simply ideas. It is going to take creativity and action for any chance of seeing "Coexistence".
Monday, December 7, 2009
Idealism Verus Reality
I started out loving this bumper sticker, and until creating this blog I found myself to dislike it more and more. I am talking about the very popular bumper sticker "CoExist" that purposes the idea to accept all religions, beliefs, and customs around the world in hopes of living peacefully. Well, it would be nice if mankind actually abide by the saying, however we do not live in anything remotely close to "CoExisting". 
I am starting to find the sticker more of a hyporcritical and navie statement rather than one of influence (like almost all bumbper stickers I see). It is fine to support a great "idea" but in reality the driver probably cares more that people regonize him or hers peaceful intentions. Stickers are never going to stop war, end poverty, save the enviroment, or solve world hunger...they never have. Its time people start taking ACTION rather than hiding behind little sayings and t-shirts that promote world peace. I have recently started to volunteer for the International Refugee Committee as a family mentor. I am working with a family that has recently come over from Bhutan, in fleet of the political turmoil. The roots of the political turmoil are found in multi-ethnic groups and religion. Their religion has created a caste system, where those of lower caste are highly subjected to torturing and genocide. I am greatly appreciated to be living a life where I have not experienced such hatred, but am also greatly appreciated to be aware of the fact there are those less fortunate who are in a constant battle with society's corruption. I do believe its possible for Co-Existence, and although there are many ugly truths to our world, I still think we can change. Working with this Nepalese family has been a wake up call for me, and realize that our "good ideas" or "good bumper stickers" are simply ideas. It is going to take creativity and action for any chance of seeing "Coexistence".
I am starting to find the sticker more of a hyporcritical and navie statement rather than one of influence (like almost all bumbper stickers I see). It is fine to support a great "idea" but in reality the driver probably cares more that people regonize him or hers peaceful intentions. Stickers are never going to stop war, end poverty, save the enviroment, or solve world hunger...they never have. Its time people start taking ACTION rather than hiding behind little sayings and t-shirts that promote world peace. I have recently started to volunteer for the International Refugee Committee as a family mentor. I am working with a family that has recently come over from Bhutan, in fleet of the political turmoil. The roots of the political turmoil are found in multi-ethnic groups and religion. Their religion has created a caste system, where those of lower caste are highly subjected to torturing and genocide. I am greatly appreciated to be living a life where I have not experienced such hatred, but am also greatly appreciated to be aware of the fact there are those less fortunate who are in a constant battle with society's corruption. I do believe its possible for Co-Existence, and although there are many ugly truths to our world, I still think we can change. Working with this Nepalese family has been a wake up call for me, and realize that our "good ideas" or "good bumper stickers" are simply ideas. It is going to take creativity and action for any chance of seeing "Coexistence".
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You've done a great job on this blog using the visual bumper stickers as a starting point for some very thoughtful commentary. Creative approach.
ReplyDeleteNot all of us have time to volunteer, nor to go out and "take action" other than once or twice a year at a voting poll, not all of us have money to donate towards a campaign to feed hunger. Some of us only have time to put up a bumper sticker and talk with others about our opinion.
ReplyDeleteI'm a student, I work 35hours/week, and have 18credits/semester. I don't even have a car to put up a bumper sticker, but sure, I might have a t-shirt. I say it's better for people to show their ideal through their appearance than nothing at all.
It takes time to take action, not everyone has that. And even with that, volunteering won't do much other than speed a campaigns production.
Even campaigns that change their views, like how the Human Rights Campaign have completely taken off the T in LGBT by accepting that ENDA not include Gender Identity.
So before you out everyone that has a bumper sticker or t-shirt, or maybe even just a silly blog, as a hypocrite, think about reality vs idealism.
Idealism: People care, promote, and volunteer for organisations that support what they believe and are charitable with their income
Reality: People don't care sometimes, people don't have time, people don't have money.