Educator Pablo Freire said, "Reading and writing words encompasses the reading of the world, that is, the critical understanding of politics in the world." Freire's foundational writings on critical pedagogy and how we see the world significantly impacted my career as a professor of education.
Now, as an advocate to save children from poverty, violence and starvation, I continue to return to Freire's philosophy to challenge myths that become entrenched in silence without questioning. As Freire's student and co-writer Peter McLaren has reminded us: "The battle to save our children will never be won as long as we sit back comfortably and let history take its course instead of actively taking part in creating history."
So, I am questioning our acceptance of more than 6,000 children starving to death in the world each day when we have a direct opportunity to donate just 22 cents to provide a medically endorsed, life-saving meal for these very children! I am questioning acceptance of children orphaned and injured in natural disasters, ethnic cleansing, and wars when we can support partners on the ground who provide meals, medical care, and safe havens so these children are not trafficked as sex slaves, forced into child-soldiering or sold as workers in contemporary sweatshops of modern-day slavery where people profit from the control and exploitation of others in producing everything from chocolate to designer clothing.
I am also questioning our acceptance of garbage as a daily aspect of life — particularly when this community has the largest TerraCycle campaign in the state at work right here in Ruidoso to re-purpose garbage and earn rebates to provide meals for more children through Feed My Starving Children.
Do I believe that this column, or a thousand like it, will change the mindset that sees other people's children as less deserving than their own? No. But if you are still reading this column, I hope my words have either earned your endorsement or caused your discomfort in rejecting concern about starvation, poverty, and injustice. At the least, I am hopeful my words will decrease littering, cigarette-butt tossing, and the bagging of items as garbage that could be re-cycled, up-cycled, and/or TerraCycled through the campaigns supported by Coyote Howling Shop for a Cause. Perhaps what is considered garbage at your home or workplace will be re-considered. At the best, my words may introduce you to the work of Feed My Starving Children and encourage you to ally with us as advocate, donor, sponsor, Terra-Cycler. Of course, you may also consider this a mission impossible challenge while you sit back comfortably and let history take its course.