indifference is unacceptable

in a world of spiralling injustice and poverty, why are so many of us unconcerned, unnaffected and disconnected?

despite globalisation, it seems our worlds are becoming smaller, our perspectives narrower.

my experience working on the thai/burma border augmented in me a conviction that we mustn't let a gulf between those who are suffering greatly and the rest of us remain unchallenged.

how can we find a way of inspiring this generation to be more engaged, more active, more alert and more compassionate? how much further can each of us grow in our capacity to be kind, couragageous, and loving? I believe it is possible to build an army of young people who are inspired to stand up for the marginalised, who will defend the rights of the innocent, who will take responsibility for the future of our planet.

returning from abroad, it becomes apparent that deep set indifference is common. that is not a judgement, it just the truth. yet the onus of us to live with compassion and reject apathy has never been more vital. like apartheid, indifference is justified and defended and seen as legitimate. Just like apartheid, we must fight against it until it too is viewed as an immoral world view from a different age.

we must acknowledge that we have become too self-absorbed. we have allowed great evil to prevail without lifting a finger of protest. we simply haven't cared even though we say we do.

a values revolution is necessary. it has to be modelled by example. it has to start with you and me.