RE: GREAT MEN WALK THE STREETS TOO: Exploring the power of untold stories in shaping society
A gross imbalance will continue to exist until we become aware of each other even though acknowledging others can sometimes breed unease. It is navigating these kind of uncomfortable conversations that uncovers questions that carry in their bellies, answers whose concealment has left us wanting. The thing about otherness is that it consists of elements without which the wholeness of self cannot be achieved.>
The above as you have written is what I describe as using the eyes of others to see the world. It helps us to understand what it means to be the other person - whether privileged or unprivileged - navigating through life and trying to react to life based on one view and the views of others too. I think It would make living easier and fuller if we'd all start to include everyone that moves around our own little world too-beggars, taxi-drivers, gardeners, ticket salesmen/women at the bus station , security men at banks, the newspaper vendors and others who we notice their absence but don't care about the causes - although it can be hard as you have acknowledged too; I believe that it is worth taking the risk if it would open our eyes to the sustainable change our society needs.
PS: I have a similar post on this topic. You can check http://www.harvoworld.com/using-the-eyes-others/
@prozien You are absolutley right and I like how you spoke to the issue of sustainable change. Change will not be wholly sustainable if it is pursued in parts. What that does is to seemingly better whatever indices are used to evaluate the society as a whole but then deepen inequality. I think this describes the cycle that a lot of societies are currently navigating. Also, I think that in the bid to alleviate some of the issues of the under-privileges, there's the other extreme to be wary of; demonizing the privileged as though they owe everyone else something that must be retrieved from them.
I think that the essence of what we're seeking to achieve is balance of some sort. Even though that may be argued as subjective too, I think that our internal compasses - if we'd be honest - bear witness of where the society really leans towards.
I'll check out your post as well. Cheers!