What do you see when you look at the world? Do you see nature? Do you see people? Do you see a tiny planet in the vast reaches of space? Do you see your town or city? Do you see your country? I'm guessing that if you are reading this blog, you have a reasonably decent life that allows you to afford internet access or at the very least computer knowledge. It is also my guess that when you imagine other human life around the planet, you think of similarly civilized places filled with people who have similar perceptions of reality. This is how I think, so I am assuming you think the same. A week ago, I stumbled upon a documentary series called The Vice Guide to Liberia and all of that changed. I was already sifting through heavy pictures of the Haitian wreckage, but the compounded poverty there seemed like a pin prick to a sword hack when I saw what Liberia was like.
Now, it wasn't that I was ignorant to these things, like I thought the whole world was rainbows, unicorns and butterflies, but I had not bothered to look into it like I have now. I knew about the war in Darfur, but I had honestly never seen any pictures. I've read about Rwanda and Congo, but it all seemed so distant. I believe this documentary did a great job of shoving a little more reality in my face. I watched to the point of sheer stupification at the human tragedy that has befallen hundreds of thousands of living, breathing people. There is a sense of dread that comes over you when you realize that these people are no different than yourself, but they are thrust into a situation where all they can do to cope with their limited education and wealth is live like animals.
Their standards are warped because all they've ever known is tragedy. 70% of the female population has been raped. Their rappers rap about AIDS. There have been three civil wars. Soldiers drank the blood of innocent children to become powerful. They're all waiting for the eventual withdrawal of the UN in a year, which will undoubtedly signal the beginning of a forth war. This is hell. It exists here on Earth and there is nothing you can do about it. The humility I feel for my advantaged life is profound. I am grateful for my education, my safety, my skills and my family. Take them all away and I would be no different than any one of the desperate and vicious citizens of this wrecked country.
Parts 7 and 8 have yet to be released. They will be in the coming week.
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