Do Stand Up Against Poverty
L. Muthoni Wanyeki, the executive director of the Kenya Human Rights, recently wrote about an international call for action against poverty taking place tomorrow:
This Wednesday, October 17, marks the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This year, once again, the Global Coalition Against Poverty is trying to make it into the Guinness Book of Records by ensuring the largest number of people across the world physically “stand up” to declare their commitment to ending poverty.
Symbolic movements, such as literally standing up in support of the fight against poverty, do not do much directly to actually end poverty. Nonetheless, it can help raise awareness and create opportunities for social networking by anti-poverty activists. Many major social movements have been sparked by symbolic and incidental protests. Take for example the Boston Tea Party and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
Of course, we need to remember to follow these symbolic protests with direct action. We also need to get out and actually implement solutions to the poverty problem. If you have any ideas on how to fight poverty directly, I encourage you to join the World Hunger and Poverty Forums and share your ideas. It’s completely free.
