"I imagine it would be difficult to come from a land of "Big Humanity Little Resources and Consumption" back to a familiar "Maybe Less Than Big Humanity Molto Resources & Obscene Consumption" esp. when you identify with the little guys and call the obscene guys home. Do you feel ashamed? Do you feel you are here by chance and it's not right that so many take the material for granted? It's not really the Rev's agenda but it's worthy of a conversation"
The Reverend does love dialogue, especially when it comes from one of the Brethren, so let's dive on in...
There is, of course, a significant disparity between the resources of the First World and that of the Third World. (I know that some folks object to the "first-third" terminology but I don't have a better alternative at hand, so bear with and excuse me) The Rev has made this re-entry before, as many other good folks have. This is not a new struggle, and better writers and more agile thinkers than myself have tackled this very same issue. Nonetheless, for me, the return from this latest journey has been the hardest yet. The transition between the two worlds casts the varying degrees of consumption into a glaring light. There is, in fact, a sharp contrast to the level of consumption between a villager in Northern Lao, and a city dweller in Seattle, Washington. No matter how much a First World citizen tries to live in a small-impact way, the very fact of being a member of the most consumer oriented group on the planet virtually guarantees that his or her impact on the planet's resources will be greater than that of a Lao villager.
The Brethren refers to the difference of the "Big Humanity -vs- Maybe Less Than Big Humanity" It is true that there is a fundamental difference in the way folks interact as villagers, and how folks interact as members of the First World. Lao and Thailand are primarily Buddhist countries, and that explains part of what our Brethren may be referring to as "Big Humanity." There is, however, more to it than that. I believe that a rural lifestyle, based on a village society, requires intense cooperation. Khmer or Hmong people in Lao simply don't have the capital to buy their way out of problems. They have to barter, ask for help, or work together as a family or extended community to solve a dilemma. In modern urban societies, citizens are often able to simply call someone, pay them, and the problem is fixed. We are not as dependent on our friends and neighbors as we once were in the past, when our western society was also primarily agrarian.
Yes, I identify with "the little guys" as mentioned in the comment. I strive to identify with all of our Brothers and Sisters in the world, but the Rev has a special place in his heart for the small villages of Northern Thailand and Lao, mostly as a direct result of how the folks there have received and treated me. I do not know that I "call the obscene guys home." but I think I know what the comment refers to. I was born in the First World, and no matter where I travel, that is my background. My country of birth, the United States, is certainly home to a great many of the corporations that are an integral part of the obscenity of over-consumption. It is important to remember the multi-national nature of the modern corporation, but many of these huge entities started out in the States.
Our Brethren ask me if I am ashamed. The answer, simply, is no. Where I was born, and when, are details of my life that were out of my control. Hence, there is nothing to feel shame about.
It is the Reverend's belief that guilt and shame are not the most useful tools for accomplishing change. My goal is to call attention to the pitfalls of over-consumption and consumer debt amongst our brethren. With over-consumption and consumer debt comes the intrusion into our lives, and control over our lives, by corporate interests. My belief is that increased corporate control over society and government has a negative impact on all of us. Being shameful over being born in the United States, rather than a Lao village, does not further the accomplishment of my goal, nor does it make me a better person, nor does it even make sense. Feeling guilt over whatever position I hold in the world does not make me a better citizen of that world. How I choose to act determines whether I am worthy to be a citizen of the world.
The Rev does indeed believe, as mentioned in the comment, that he is "here by chance." I have no more right to the resources of the world than any other of our Sisters and Brothers. Much of what I possess comes to me by the very chance that caused me to be born a citizen of the First World. I know that people will say that they worked hard to earn what they have, and I applaud them for that. The simple truth is, starting out in the First World is a whole lot easier than starting out with the same set of talents and abilities in the Third World.
Lastly, yes, The Rev is appalled by the level of consumption in our society and by the amount of cargo that society takes for granted. This does not mean that I am advocating all of our Brethren to renounce worldly goods and wear sackcloth in the desert. The Rev is not against our Brothers and Sisters having the stuff that makes life pleasurable and good and safe. What we are talking about is raising our level of awareness about the nature and impacts of consumerism. Acquiring the goods that help make our lives comfortable and safe for ourselves and our families is one thing. Acquiring more than we need, without any regard for the impact that we are having on the rest of the planet, is another thing entirely.
Thanks for the comments. Please keep them coming!
In the meantime, be strong, be aware, be well, and Fight the Power!!
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