I received an email this morning, unsolicited, from an
organisation claiming to address major world issues. They talked about the
terrible plight of women in India who are afraid to walk along the streets for fear
of being attacked. They talked of saving the bee who is vital to our existence
but is slowly being poisoned by our use of neonicotinoid pesticides. They
reminded us of the continued existence of sweat shops and their use of young
children who should be learning and enjoying their childhood. The sorrows of
the world are both endless and unfathomable.
But this email, unsolicited, then asked me to donate money.
I hesitated before sending it to the Spam box. I know that all these troubles
exist. I know that my money could help. But I’d rather donate to one or a
number of these worthwhile causes by sending my money to recognised charities
rather than give it away online to an emailer, an unsolicited emailer.
It’s sad that we live in a world where so many injustices
take place. Closer to home there have recently been yet more revelations about
neglect in hospitals, people being left for days in their own urine and excrement,
frail elderly left to die of dehydration for the want of nurses who care.
It puts all our hype about Richard III into perspective. Even
so, I’m pleased to read that York has backed down and Leicester will now be able
to keep his body for reburial in Leicester Cathedral. At least that’s a good
result but how do we go about tackling all the real injustices of the world? We
could start by caring about each other rather than just ourselves, or am I
asking for too much?
