What to Do When all You See Is Trouble and Strife

I used to enjoy watching the news because I would get to see different parts of the world and how the people live and the changes that occur. Oh sure, there would be problems from time to time but just normal things, things that just need a little fixing. I used to think that watching news programs was better than 100 social studies lessons! That was before, not now.

Now I go to university, work, and deal with family problems. I manage living in a dangerous society and at the same time try to keep tabs on the turmoil and trouble and strife that seems to be continually suspended over this dismal old world.

In fact it is something special now to hear good news—such as a scientific breakthrough that doesn’t involve animal or human torture, extensive pollution, or a waste of resources. It is also unusual to hear about acts of nobility and chivalry—not to say that those things do not happen, but just that they seem to be overclouded by all the other atrocities that have crept up on us, and have overtaken our lifestyles and perception of reality.

So why do I keep watching the news if it’s all bad, you might ask. Good question. This is what people talk about when they sit together with nothing to do. People sit around and chat: “Oh did you hear about what so–and-so said about such and such?” “Oh did you see what happened after that horrendous earthquake?” And so on and so on until my friendly communicative mood starts to disappear and be replaced with a feeling of sorrow and desperation.

You might ask, “But these things don’t happen where you are!” Sure, that’s right. But I’m citizen of the world, aren’t I? I’m a member of humanity, aren’t I? People are supposed to care about each other, aren’t they? But what makes me even sadder is that most people just chat about what’s happening—they don’t really care. How do I know? Well, because when the topic of discussion starts to get a bit boring, they just change the subject—as simple as that! And after that they continue nattering about fashion, clothes, food, and all that stuff. And I’m left feeling rotten and helpless; a piece of useless human merchandise.

But then I start to justify my apathy and tell myself “but what can you, one little human being, do to turn around the evil, corruption, greed, and violence in the world?” Hmm, not much I guess on a global scale—and that’s another problem, most things we talk about are global: global economies, global organizations, global treaties, global agreements, global problems–not much that little old me can do, on a global scale.

But is “global” the only way to look at things?

I mean I live in a home. My home is on a street. I have a family and neighbours. My street is in an area. I know many people in this area, and we form a community. In this community there are schools, shops, centers, hospitals, and many facilities that help people in many different ways. For example, there is a school for the blind, a school for the deaf, a school for children and people who are handicap. There is a home for the elderly (many of them are very lonely) and a center to help people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. There is also a home for battered women and children (how sad their plight is!). Now all this makes me wonder if the people’s problem and pain, here, where I live, is less severe and significant than that of people in other parts of the world.

Sometimes I find that people do not mind to contribute to charities that are active in other parts of the world but the same people do not help out at the local displaced people’s home and so on. Why? Is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence?

Anyway, I decided that little old me—just one person—will continue to watch the news and try to understand what is going on in the world, but I will also read the community newspaper and keep tabs on what is happening closer to home. Not only that, I have decided that many hands make a light work so I’m going to join forces with people who think and feel like me—I can only know this through interacting and mixing with others. Then we will decide which charity or outlet to tackle first and build upwards.

I am interested to know what is news in your local community. You can send a news item from your locality (send the link or scan of the news item) to youth_campaign@islamonline.net because I’m sure that the pain and problems of people near you are no less important than the pain of people in other places. And likewise their relief and happiness can only make the world (and your part of the world) a better place—and how great it is to be a part of all that!

** Naseema Mall is from South Africa and works as a freelance journalist. She can be contacted at youth_campaign@islamonline.net