Gratefulness

Everyone has something or someone that they are thankful of. It can be as trivial as baseball or Pop-Tarts, or as paramount as family or shelter. Rightfully so.

Often overlooked are the basic skills and general knowledge that go along with the American culture and education. Some people learn algebra; fewer people learn geometry; and even fewer learn calculus. There are places in the world where people don’t even know addition or subtraction. It’s not necessarily their faults; they don’t grow up being told that knowing it is important. Perhaps there is nobody in the village capable of teaching them.

The problem goes beyond simple mathematics. As youngsters, we learn such “simple” concepts as “don’t talk to strangers” and “look both ways before you cross the street.” There are areas of the world where people don’t know that. It is common knowledge to us that birds don’t swim and pigeons don’t fly. It isn’t to everyone. What exactly falls under the category of “common sense” is dependent on perspective.

Living in America, it is knowledge that witchcraft is fictional and doesn’t exceed the boundaries of Harry Potter or Charmed. Sadly, I ran across this story when checking sports scores. The gist of the story was that a riot ensued during a soccer match in Congo when the crowd believed an opposing player was using witchcraft, causing a stampede for the exits. Thirteen people died. One phrase from the article sticks out in my head. Most victims were between the ages of eleven and sixteen.

Africa is a mess. When people aren’t dying from AIDS or genocide, things like this are happening. The fact that this tragedy occurred during a soccer game, one of the few positives that unites Africans, makes it that much more horrific. The problem in Africa is a lot deeper than poverty; the money funneled into Africa to feed starving children mostly ends up going to waste. Of course, food is needed; but the root of the problem stems from a lack of basic education and common sense.

Don’t have sex with people with AIDS. Knowledge is the cornerstone of existence. Killing is wrong.

Sadly, one thing that makes America so great is the gap between us and third world countries, not just in terms of dollars and resources, but this so-called “basic” knowledge. There are many people and organizations trying to help; for example, Dikembe Mutumbo was recognized during George Bush’s State of the Union for his efforts in Zaire. He has helped build schools and a hospital, and his efforts have inspired teammate Tracy McGrady to start a network of schools in Kenya. Others with less star power are also doing their best to aid such a dire cause.

Don’t have sex with people with AIDS. Knowledge is the cornerstone of existence. Killing is wrong. Until we can successfully impart this message onto Africans, we are doing nothing more than treading water.