Comments on: Reflections on Poverty – Blog Action Day 2008

By: spencer black

spencer black — Tue, 19 May 2009 16:54:59 +0000

Just wanted to say I’m really proud of everything you’re doing.
Here is the video I did for the young lions competition in hopes of encouraging people to add their names and help Oxfam by joining the movement to encourage world leaders to vote for change at the summit in Copenhagen in December.
Hope you enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ0nlJ9Ythc

By: Payday Loan

Payday Loan — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 04:14:34 +0000

If we want to end poverty we must agree to a massive redistribution of wealth and opportunity. This entails giving up some of the extras we are accustomed to. Extra corn for our cars, spinners on our rims, iced out everything, McMansions etc. Half of the world is employed in making disposible products for the other half. Lets employ them to make useful products for themselves without first asking, “whats in it for me?”

By: Amanda

Amanda — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:38:06 +0000

I believe all that is being said about poverty, it really is a melancholy situation because no one should live in poverty.

By: cheritycall

cheritycall — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:07:22 +0000

Hello, Do something for help those hungry people from Africa or India,
I added this blog about that subject:
at http://tinyurl.com/5pul7l

By: Cynthia Wunsch

Cynthia Wunsch — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:07:21 +0000

Dear Darren,

Thank you so much for taking time out to participate in Blog Action Day! It’s wonderful to see the most-recognized bloggers come out in support of the cause.

I remember vividly my first-hand experiences with poverty overseas and your posts brought it all back to me. Your experiences are an inspiration.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 07:26:42 +0000

I agree with your thoughts Darren and thank you for shedding some light on the topic.
most people complain that poverty is a “bad thing” and that it is “inevitable” and even thought we help, it “still does not make a dent in reality” and none really do anything about it themselves. But here is a thought, we start with ourselves. Ever seen the ever-inspiring and moving film “The pursuit of Happiness” – and basically it shows how people in impoverished situations could use Christopher Gardner as inspiration to fight and try everything possible to make your dreams come true…
the measure of a man is not when he stands in a life of luxury and comfort but when he is faced with fear and uncertainty…. it is up to you to shape your life, despite your background and context. Make the most of every situation and never give up!

see my post along similar lines:
http://jcvarsity.blogspot.com/2008/10/poverty.html

By: Mita

Mita — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 22:16:58 +0000

Hi Darren

I was born and raised in one of the poorest metropolis in the world namely Calcutta, India. So I was very socially aware as a Kid. I never could understand this huge disparity in living conditions of the poorest versus the richest…wanted to understand why we have always enough for war not much for peace. One of the big chunk of the puzzle called capitalism has to do with the nature of capital itself and how it has so far been treated in economics, politics, media and academia. I am an advocated for monetary literacy, open transparent sustainable debt-free monetary system designed by the people for the people (not public vs private entities) from a new understanding of currency.

Please share my educational blog on – Deep Conscious Capitalism. Search here http://www.kartoo.com

Peace

By: Michelle Crowther

Michelle Crowther — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 05:27:21 +0000

Hello there… I love your blog. My name is Michelle Crowther and I have a program called Hair of the Blog on ABC Radio, where I feature various blogs on my site, and then have a chat on the radio with the person behind the blog. I am wondering whether you might like to come on the program for a phone interview.
My blog is: http://blogs.abc.net.au/nt/darwin_sunday_blog/index.html
Please email me at crowther.michelle@abc.net.au with your phone number if you’d like a chat.
Cheers,
Michelle

By: johnMark

johnMark — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 04:11:19 +0000

Darren,

I appreciate being turned on to Blog Action Day. It was a pleasure to participate.

Thanks,

Mark

By: Doug C.

Doug C. — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 23:32:03 +0000

Poverty is with us every day so we should help every day, not just on one day. I have been homeless myself a couple times and I know firsthand the fear and hopelessness of this terrible situation. The reality of poverty is something that effects us all and with our current economy suffering from a mounting recession and our own government sending billions of dollars overseas instead of using that money to help people in their own backyard today it is more vital then ever that everyone do their part to help. Hopefully, this day will inspire you to seek out ways you can help - in your own neighborhoods, food shelters, food banks, churches, and community centers - because fighting the war against poverty is not in Iraq or Africa or Afghanistan but everywhere.

By: BlapherMJ

BlapherMJ — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:49:22 +0000

That was a very moving post – thank you. I only found out this morning that yesterday was Blog Action Day, so I will be posting tonight, albeit late. I hope millions will take part this weekend in Stand Against Poverty (http://www.standagainstpoverty.org). We all must work together!

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:12:45 +0000

Great post Darren, Thank you for sharing, I myself wrote about it here: http://www.guruofsales.com/general/427/fight-poverty-its-blog-action-day-today and got a huge respond from readers and other bloggers. Would you please honor us and share your thoughts by leaving a comment on our post? I am trying to come up with something new tomorrow and I will include and encourage readers to visit your blog back so we can all unite to fight poverty.

By: Shayne Packer

Shayne Packer — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:17:38 +0000

This such a great cause. I totally support it. In fact, you inspired me to write my own blog post about it! Thanks!

By: Julia

Julia — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:17:16 +0000

Hi Darren, and thanks a lot for this post. Interestingly, it highlighted the topic I addressed on my blog, about poverty in art. You say that those people who were physically leading a barely bearable life were nonetheless hopeful and humorous. During my research into representation of poverty in art I noted that this is precisely this side of the poor people existence that made its way into art, rather than hardships they experienced. And while there may be no problem with this, given that art is a refined practice, art was also a way of representing the society, and in this, the poor were mostly given a duff hand before the photography arrived on the scene.

http://loscuadernosdejulia.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-action-day-2008-poverty-and-art.html

By: CoolProducts

CoolProducts — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:32:11 +0000

In third grade, I went to live for a period of time in a city called Cuernavaca, Mexico, about an hour or two south of Mexico City. This city is paradise; that is, if you could get passed the fact that there was only extreme wealth and extreme poverty with very little in between. One of the most vivid memories of my time down there was when I was eating at the McDonalds in town (yes they even have McDonalds down there) and we went to eat outside to enjoy the beautiful weather that the city is known for. Surrounding the outside patio was a 10ft rod-iron fence. The purpose of this fence was to keep out the begging children. However, this did not stop them from reaching their hands through and begging for food. How can one eat their meal after witnessing this? I’ll never forget this for as long as I live.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:22:07 +0000

Thanks for the insight! As I go through all of the Blog Action posts it’s interesting to see the common threads and the new insights. There is much to say (and even more to do!) about poverty.

Lance, I’m going to be checking your blog for a post now!

Livingonadsense, It’s inspiring to hear that you’re addressing poverty in your local community. For me, it’s often easier to click “Donate” on a website for global poverty than to sit down and share a meal with a local homeless man or ask why my community isn’t doing more. Sometimes face-to-face interactions are more difficult than the anonymous internet, and asking your friends to do more harder than asking strangers. Here’s to doing both!

By: Geoff Pound

Geoff Pound — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:11:02 +0000

For those interested I have written on one of my blogs today about the United Arab Emirates Fighting Poverty.

Is that an oxymoron?

Check it out and see.

Link:
http://experiencingtheemirates.blogspot.com/2008/10/uae-fighting-poverty.html

Geoff Pound

By: Marty Weil

Marty Weil — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:36:27 +0000

I'm participating. I've written a poverty-themed post on ephemera

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:06:58 +0000

Great story and amazing blog. Good to see your work and hear the stories that have impacted you over the years. Thanks for putting videos out there.

By: kouji haiku

kouji haiku — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:08:36 +0000

indeed. over here in the philippines where i live, the poverty can be terrible. people are able to find ways to laugh and enjoy life nonetheless, but it truly is something that needs to be alleviated, because no one should have to suffer through the despair that it sometimes brings.

as a means of helping, in a fairly non-intrusive way, i’m quite fond of freerice, kiva, and goodsearch, as ways people can help alleviate poverty online.

it’s great that you’re participating in this year’s blog action day as well.