I stayed home from work on Monday to help out a friend in need. Because of this, I was able to catch an episode of Oprah. The episode was about Moms around the world, and it broke my heart.
Oprah was trying to show that all humans have a shared bond – we all want the best possible lives for our children. Some women have better opportunities than American Moms (check out the Mom from Finland) and some don’t.
There were two Moms whose stories just gave me very strong feelings. Makha in Darfur made me just want to call Oprah and tell her that if she could fly this woman and her children here, I’d take her in. My husband would probably kill me, and it wouldn’t be easy. I don’t have a ton of money or a ton of room, but even so living on the second story of my house and sharing the eggs and organic produce I live on would be better than what they have now. They’d be a lot safer. At least I think they would be. I don’t want them to be away from their home-land or lose their sense of culture. I don’t mean to be condescending, either – but they aren’t safe where they are now. They need somewhere to go until somebody (obviously the USA isn’t going to do it) steps in and stops the genocide that is going on.
The story of Congolese mother M’Sevumba made me feel guilty. Guilty isn’t quite the right word, actually. I guess she made me look at myself and see what a brat I am. I suppose I would probably be able to fight for my life and my children like this woman does, if it was the only way to survive. If it was just for me – I might not make it. So yes, my job is stupid — not my job as much as my chosen career. Yes, if I died tomorrow my contribution to the world is not exactly memorable – but I have opportunities. I have more than enough food. The odds are I will not be raped or killed today. My hardest physical task of the day is working out on an elliptical machine which I have to do because I’m a slug who eats too much. My hardest mental task of the day is dealing with egotistical, controlling, and needy personalities at work. Whoop-dee-do. I don’t have to haul 50 pounds of beans up the West Hills in return for 50 cents to feed my family.
So why am I so unhappy?
I suppose that is a question for all of America. Why are we so stressed? Why are we on antidepressants? There is no excuse for our culture to be so fast paced and high pressure and money-crazed. Most of us have everything we need for basic survivial times two (and shame on us for letting anybody exist in this country who doesn’t have that). But…I can’t discount the feelings of good people who I meet every day and who I know want to make a positive difference in this world. Why are we so unhappy? Why do we feel like we can’t make a difference? Is it President Bush’s fault? Is it corporate America’s fault? Is it my own damned fault?
I’m not sure what the answer is, but stay tuned…I’m gonna try to find out.
Uninspired is on the story!