Think about it?

[tomdesigns]

I have to say that yesterday was an interesting day for me here in BA.. actually out off all the days I have spent in this city on various trips here yesterday was the most profound for me.

Crossing the blvd one block from the Obelisk watching a group of 20 something's on drugs harass those crossing.. then watching a crowd of people get all nervous waiting for the light to change so they could cross, while these guys were out of control screaming profanities with strong emotional anger and laughing at nervous by passers.

Walk another block and what appears to be a family has set up a few mattresses with some blankets and card board boxes in which are sleeping 3 children.

Walk 2 more blocks and there is a homeless young man sitting on a door step with his face in hands, what little he has in a dirty pink Barbie back pack...

At which point I started thinking about this and asked myself, what could that young man be thinking? And just for a minute, I tried to put myself in his position, what would I do? Then I realized that he probably does not even have the necessary education to even try to think out a solution to his problems. That it is quite possible that he is literally trapped both physically and mentally. Completely unable to even conceive a way out of his condition.

 

[tomdesigns]

Yes.. I have seen this stuff all my life too.. In LA, in Mexico, in Honduras, in Argentina, In Canada and everywhere else I have been.. typically I just shrug it off, but sometimes it still gets to me. And that is typically when start analyzing it to try to understand it.. as if that is going to do me or anyone else any good.

 

[sesamosinsal]

It has nothing to do with nature, in my opinion. A lot of these people have never even had a chance. I'm amazed when the wealthy in this country spew the same banter that I was taught growing up -- that everything comes out of hard work. This can only be true if people are given a basic foundation to grow and expand. I was born with a lot of privilege and access to a lot of opportunities. There's nothing natural about that. It was all luck.

Clearly, this world needs a new economic system. Capitalism, socialism, and communism are not the answers. The system needs to be changed all together. This film doesn't propose all of the answers, but it's a great start.

 

[PhilipDT]

At which point I started thinking about this and asked myself, what could that young man be thinking? And just for a minute, I tried to put myself in his position, what would I do? Then I realized that he probably does not even have the necessary education to even try to think out a solution to his problems. That it is quite possible that he is literally trapped both physically and mentally. Completely unable to even conceive a way out of his condition.

Education starts at birth, at home, and it comes from the parents. This man's lack of education lack of motivation lack of hope is a relfection on the failure of his parents. Say what you want about the state education system, it does exist, and there are opportunities for those who are willing to take advantage of them. The fact that this man you saw didn't, is largely reflection on his upbringing which probably involved a non existent father figure, possible drugs use by whom ever was in the house, constant crime etc.

We make people get a license to drive, why shouldn't we make them apply for the right to reproduce?

 

[tomdesigns]

Education starts at birth, at home, and it comes from the parents. This man's lack of education lack of motivation lack of hope is a relfection on the failure of his parents. Say what you want about the state education system, it does exist, and there are opportunities for those who are willing to take advantage of them. The fact that this man you saw didn't, is largely reflection on his upbringing which probably involved a non existent father figure, possible drugs use by whom ever was in the house, constant crime etc.

We make people get a license to drive, why shouldn't we make them apply for the right to reproduce?

Good point but that could be applied to both the poor uneducated and the rich educated.. I do not believe I need to list any examples to justify my position on this.. we have seen enough history in the last 10 years in the US to prove my point.

 

[arlean]

I care too much about liberty to ever consider giving anyone the power to decide who can have children. But sadly, some parents keep their children out of school to beg. And some here are born in the street and stay there all their lives according to my attorney. When I look at these people, what runs through my mind is what is a way to help them. I was involved in that in the States as well and help is not what many of them want. But it is rewarding when you come across the few who do--and watch them succeed in a new life. Maybe those of us who are here can find ways to lend a helping hand. I don't mean handouts. I mean a way to independence.

 

[hepdoll]

I've had a lot of similar thoughts and struggles about this issue. Without meaning to hijack the thread, I'd be interested to know which groups in BA are working on what arlean described - helping them establish true independence, or at least to understand the roots of the problem in order to implement meaningful, effectual change. This problem may be one that exists in most or all big cities, but it certainly seems to be much worse here than in, say, New York.

 

[jnicolai]

That is just a snapshot of the world around us. We are the only ones that are able to make a difference but if we just start with our immediate surroundings it sometimes has a most profound and ripple effect. Do it from within your own heart. It will do you more good than the recipient. Promise.