Day 3 - 291 -- Humiliation and Exclusion

Today, as occurs every October 17th, is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This UN day is meant to bring the topic out into the light. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has stated, "Poverty is not simply measured by inadequate income. It is manifested in restricted access to health, education and other essential services and, too often, by the denial or abuse of other fundamental human rights [...] Let us listen to and heed the voices of people living in poverty. Let us commit to respect and defend the human rights of all people and end the humiliation and social exclusion that people living in poverty face every day by promoting their involvement in global efforts to end extreme poverty once and for all." 

I've been privileged to travel to many parts of the world -- near and far from home. Poverty is readily visible in all places I've visited. Some  areas find ways of hiding the poverty through relocation programs as seen in cities that hold major international events and in areas where gentrification sees that many people are forced to relocate when they can no longer afford rent where they've lived for years. Urbanization has been witnessed in large cities in developing nations, where rural residents move to the city to follow the promise of work and money. Rural dwellers, even those in our own country, may find it difficult to make a living in agricultural pursuits. Once in the city, infrastructure may not support the large influx of people, so shanty towns spring up wherever there is a spare piece of land -- squatting becomes common. In all areas I've visited, homeless people live on the streets and panhandlers try to make ends meet. 

Someone once told me a story of a woman who offered a part-time janitor job to a panhandler. She was insulted when he refused, telling her he could make more than a minimum wage part time job doing what he was doing every day. Rather than being upset with the panhandler, perhaps we need to look at the system within which such a fiscal reality exists. The theme for this year is "Moving from humiliation and exclusion to participation -- ending poverty in all its forms." Charity alone cannot fix this global problem, but policy and system change to move towards equity for all can. It will take time, but it is worth working towards. 

There were a few songs that I toyed with using today, but one seemed to fit the theme of humiliation and exclusion best. Enjoy!

Another Day in Paradise -- Phil Collins