Post 5 :: Reflection
Today, while I was walking around at Pearlridge Shopping Center, a woman approached me and began telling me about some charity. Of course, the mall was noisy and full of people, so I didn't comprehend a word of her speech. I was with several others at the time, and one of the people in our group told her, "Sorry..." I thought I wouldn't have to donate, because someone had already said no, but she proceeded to tell us, "Oh, even one dollar or coins will make a difference." So I pulled out my wallet and gave her four dollars.
Will that four dollars save someone? Help someone, even? Or will it go into someone else's hands? For whatever reason, to be used on something other than that child? I don't know. I don't know, I don't know, I don't know. There are too many unknowns in charity. I don't like not seeing to whom I'm giving my parents' hard-earned money. (And I say my parents' money because it's not mine -- I don't have a job.)
And how can something so small really make a difference? Everyone likes to say that small things make a difference, but how big is that difference? Is that difference big enough to make any difference at all in the situation? Or is it just a difference in name?
But I felt bad for not giving anything. Especially with my new toy at home.
Again, giving out of guilt comes into play. Why do we give? Is it because our hearts go out to those starving children or because we don't want people looking at us, thinking that we have no heart?
Does the intent matter?
Should it?
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1 comment:
At first I was somewhat befuddled with your mixed points of view (one second you are decrying the Singer essay, the next you are falling victim to the same guilt Singer himself tries to enstill). Yet at the same time, vacilating between two points of view like this is wholy understandable. We feel most compelled to give when we have recently been reminded of what the luxuries we enjoy. For you, that may be a brand new video game console. For me, that may be a new Coach bag. The point is, as humans, it is difficult to deny the existence of need when we are placed in situations that beg our help. We see the faces of our solicitors, what we have, what they need. The sheer fact that you gave, whether it be with your own money or your parents, says something about your ability to share what you are given. Whether or not your $4 donation gives way to significant change in the world, we may never know.
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