As a member of the blogcatalog community I decided to join the “Blog against abuse” campaign and blog about my views on abuse. I’m not a very political person; I’m too much of an individualist and opportunist to be a member of any group. But abuse is something I’ve always had strong views on.
It’s ok to have strong convictions and it’s ok to fight for what you believe in, but I can never accept any convictions and beliefs that don’t allow other people to have their own convictions and beliefs. We live in a big world and this world is shrinking for some of us. The Internet sometimes makes the world really small. We can reach out to people in places we never heard of before. The good thing about the Internet is that it sometimes makes it easier for us to understand each others differences. The Internet can also be a good way of getting your voice heard.
At the same time we forget that there is a big part of the world that can’t make their voices heard, not through the Internet, nor anywhere else. Those are the people I want to talk for in this post. It’s really easy for me to sit here in my safe office and write. I’ve been fed, I can make ends meet, I’m pretty safe in this Finnish overprotective society, meaning that I pretty much can walk the streets safely at night even though I’m a woman. I often say that I wish there were something I could do for people not as fortunate as I am, but to tell you the truth, I seldom do anything to make a difference.
At one point in life the idealist in me became cynical realising that there isn’t much I as an individual can do. I can give a little money to feed someone in need, but does that money ever get to the people it’s intended to help? I can give my old cloths to keep someone warm, but is there really someone who needs my old and worn out jeans? But what can I as an individual do to stop someone hurting another person because of color, religion or gender? I can preach my beliefs and tell everyone I meet that every single person ever born is valued the same, but will anyone listen? We are different as individuals, there are cultural differences, language barriers and who know what… but despite our differences we still have the same value and should be treated with respect.
I wish everyone in the world, at least today, would treat every person they meet with the same respect they would want to be treated themselves. Let’s stop abuse by starting to respect each other!
I’m going to end this post with a video from my top artist Seal. The theme of this song just says it all.
Welcome back! Nice to see you again, hope you enjoy your visit.
September 28th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
You are so right on!!! I was just talking to a friend of mine the other day about how small the internet is making the world only, not everyone has access to it or even uses it for the right reasons. You have said what my friend and I were discussing way more articulately than either one of us ever could!
Also, about your profile…I was a single mom, hammer user, toy-put-together-er, cleaner, cook, dater from the internet, too. I know exactly what you mean…not many people can win an argument with me, either!
You have a great blog and you’ve found a new fan of it!
Melissa
September 29th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
I just enjoyed reading your article.
Keep going!
October 1st, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Love this one:
“It’s ok to have strong convictions and it’s ok to fight for what you believe in, but I can never accept any convictions and beliefs that don’t allow other people to have their own convictions and beliefs.”
we share the same principle there. Keep it up! Cheers!
Btw, thanks for setting a footprint on my blog. If you find anything interesting, kindly drop me a line.
October 3rd, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Great post, especially the last statement! Oh, if we could only respect each other…how nice it would be. Love the song too, nice choice.
October 10th, 2007 at 4:09 am
Great video, beautiful song, powerful message. There is so much hat in the word, we need to remind each other to love and care for our fellow man. If we each showed kindness to the people we meet everyday the world would be a better place.
October 10th, 2007 at 6:04 am
Thank you! I have that song on my mobile phone as an alarm sound to wake my up every morning. I think it is a good way to start the day.