Edit: Just saw Cemer's video
Anywho.
All right. You've spoken to us condescendingly long enough. I personally, have had enough of your idea of "trying to help those below you while boosting yourself up a notch."
It's great that you think helping the poor is great. Seriously, it's nice.
However, you should also consider the circumstances.
Africa has felt a major presence of "the West" throughout history, whether it was actual colonialism or the practice of "spheres of influence." As a result of this long period of Western interference, the governments not only were somewhat successful (though in times of the slave trade, this was at the cost of human life), but also very dependent. Picture an old man leaning on a cane to walk. What happens when you take away the cane? He falls. That is what happened once African countries became independent. They had finally rid themselves of their colonial rulers, but their governments were nowhere near as successful as they were during colonial rule. Picture Zimbabwe. That country today has a very dubious reputation of having one of the worst economic standings in the world. I know that because my school has a club that raises money for entrepreneurial Zimbabweans that can't fully pay for their startup businesses. Now add in all this charity and relief to these countries, and you perpetuate this dependency. I personally do not know the solution to the problems that African countries face, but I can damn well tell you that constantly giving charity is not the answer.
While we're on the topic, I should mention that the high and mighty USA itself has a problem much like this. People here are like "help this poor family" and others who have fallen into a rough time. While it's great that people want to help them, people should consider the circumstances. For instance, if it were known that the father was a drug addict, I would be very hesitant about giving that family charity, for fear that the money I give would just go to waste, rather than to actually help them.
I know you won't like most of this; believe me I don't, but it's a harsh reality. I do however hope you learn something from this.
tl;dr - don't just go spamming "help the needy" without considering the facts.
Anywho.
All right. You've spoken to us condescendingly long enough. I personally, have had enough of your idea of "trying to help those below you while boosting yourself up a notch."
It's great that you think helping the poor is great. Seriously, it's nice.
However, you should also consider the circumstances.
Africa has felt a major presence of "the West" throughout history, whether it was actual colonialism or the practice of "spheres of influence." As a result of this long period of Western interference, the governments not only were somewhat successful (though in times of the slave trade, this was at the cost of human life), but also very dependent. Picture an old man leaning on a cane to walk. What happens when you take away the cane? He falls. That is what happened once African countries became independent. They had finally rid themselves of their colonial rulers, but their governments were nowhere near as successful as they were during colonial rule. Picture Zimbabwe. That country today has a very dubious reputation of having one of the worst economic standings in the world. I know that because my school has a club that raises money for entrepreneurial Zimbabweans that can't fully pay for their startup businesses. Now add in all this charity and relief to these countries, and you perpetuate this dependency. I personally do not know the solution to the problems that African countries face, but I can damn well tell you that constantly giving charity is not the answer.
While we're on the topic, I should mention that the high and mighty USA itself has a problem much like this. People here are like "help this poor family" and others who have fallen into a rough time. While it's great that people want to help them, people should consider the circumstances. For instance, if it were known that the father was a drug addict, I would be very hesitant about giving that family charity, for fear that the money I give would just go to waste, rather than to actually help them.
I know you won't like most of this; believe me I don't, but it's a harsh reality. I do however hope you learn something from this.
tl;dr - don't just go spamming "help the needy" without considering the facts.