The student news site of Guilford College

The Guilfordian

The student news site of Guilford College

The Guilfordian

The student news site of Guilford College

The Guilfordian

Staff Editorial

(Guilfordian)
(Guilfordian)

The world is a tumultuous place. Right now missiles are being fired in Libya, people are searching for their families and fearing radiation in Japan, and violence is increasing with drug cartels in Mexico.

The nature of the 24-hour news cycle is one of overwhelming heartache as images of death, destruction, and sorrow are played on a never-ending loop. After seeing so much sadness it is only normal to want to help.

More times than not, all of this destruction is happening in countries to which few people have connections. Without an actual connection to those in need, without a way to physically lend a hand, the desire to help too is often expressed through donating money, or even worse, not expressed at all. But there is more to helping than writing a check.

We may not always realize it, but a lot of what is on the news is also similarly affecting people a lot closer to home. And at times when the news is pushing us to think globally, we urge you to channel that urge to help local causes.

Contaminated water

Problems with a nuclear reactor that was damaged in the crisis in Japan is causing concern over the potential of radiation in the drinking water. Here in Greensboro there is also concern over contaminated water. Food and Water Watch has set up a chapter in Greensboro to address the potentially toxic run-off of feces and urine from factory hog farming.

Labor Conditions

The International Labor Organization has drawn attention to the over 2.4 million child workers in the Philippines, according to GMA News. While child labor isn’t an issue in Greensboro, attention is being drawn to the plight of laborers in general through the Defend the Dream Rally. This rally, which was held downtown Monday, April 4, the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s death, was designed to remind people that King’s goals of equal and decent working conditions has still not been realized.

Immigration

Poor economic conditions and increasing pressure on drug cartels has created a rash of drug-related violence in many Mexican cities. Effects of this are felt at the U.S.-Mexico border, as many people immigrate to the U.S. in hopes of finding stability only to find economic hardship and legal persecution. Groups such as No More Deaths work along the border to prevent immigrant deaths. Locally, The Dream Team is a group of immigrants and allies advocating for immigrant rights and the passage of the DREAM Act, which would provide citizenship opportunities to undocumented youth.

We don’t have destruction like that of Japan’s disaster. Nor do we have violence like the fighting in Libya. But there are powerful movements and worthwhile causes in our own community that need support. So rather than sit glued to your TV, helpless to stop the hardships overseas, why not do something local, something that will show to fruits of your labor and improve the lives of your neighbors.  

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