Imagine a world that is ruled not by the rules of laws; but by who you know, your affiliation, how much money you possess, nepotism and corruption. It is a world in no doubt very difficult to live in, but how do we, as citizens of this oppressed generation change our destiny and shape it so that it becomes a better world for ourselves and our future generations.
It is once said that changes start within ourselves. If this generation is to be a change agent for future generations; we must act now.
Look at yourself in the mirror; what do you see? What do you represent?
From what background do you come from? How much money do you have?
Are your parents connected with the ruling elites or business in-crowd?
Who are your cousins, friends, associates? What kind of education do you have?
Do you have a stance on issues affecting you, environments, others, women, gender, equality, corruption, justice and socio-political ideals?
What kind of influence can you make?
What kind of decisions should you make regarding jobs, personal wealth, comfort level?
We know that making and impacting change on a grand scale is nearly impossible. So, we must look at how we can make small changes within each one of us; so that collectively, grandiose changes will be possible.
We are all creatures of habits imposed by our surroundings. Whether you are rich, poor, powerful, powerless, King and Queen, Prince, Princess, noble, single, married, educated or not...Ultimately, we are all humans, nothing more.
We wake up every morning wanting to be loved, cared for, listened to, appreciated for our thoughts and actions. Those that are in places of power are more of creatures of their own deception because they live in a world where natural things are manipulated to meet their needs and wants of how they want to see things.
Henceforth, how do we as individual makes or influences change in this chaotic world of which will run our course of history to despairs again if we do not choose to shape it NOW?
Ask yourself, my role in my own family, my friends, community and the world at large? Who Am I? What can I do to make changes or influence change?
Do I speak my mind at dinner table with my own family? Do I question when things are not correctively done? Do I care about other people who has less than what I have? Do I care for people that are being oppressed for all sort of reasons? Do I wonder and question why certain decisions are made by those in power? Do I question how money and finances are made within my family circle? Do I question why I am privileged where others are not?
Looking and learning about ourselves will enable us to understand why things are the way they are and how we can go about making baby steps to making changes.
Changes are never easy...nobody in this world welcomes change if it is not in their favor. Knowing that, we must strive to look for ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS so that changes can be ever lasting. If changes are proposed without examining the alternative solutions; they are only temporary...because at the end of the day, we are creatures of habits....Habits get repeated over and over again because they provide COMFORT.
Examples of what I can do if I am in the position to make or influence change:
Scenario 1:
My father is a school administrator at the Ministry of Education, his source of income is from his basic government salary. Many opportunities to be corrupted and earn extra incomes. I am the oldest in the family and I have done well in school with some help from my parents. I am respected by both of my parents for my hard works and being an obedient child. I am in an important role because I know how my father is making his salary to feed and provides for every thing that I and my family need through corrupted practices. My father has been doing this for the last 20 years and he never felt that it was the wrong thing to do because everybody is involved. My father has more than enough for our family and himself. I want my father to live in peace and happiness without having to involved himself with selling answers at exams and taking money from those rich kids who do not want to go to school.
Scenario 2:
I love to go out with my friends to bars, night clubs, massage parlor, KTV to enjoy ourselves. My friends and I love to get the girls drunk and pick up them up for sexual pleasure because it just a fun thing to do because it is cheap and widely accessible. I and my friends typically do not like to wear condom because it does not feel right and does not give us the sensitivity we need. I drive and pay for my friends when we go out and do all of those fun things. I think that we are going in the wrong track. I am aware of the consequences of AIDS, long term impacts to the girls with their lives living with liver diseases from excessive alcohol and future of Khmer children. I know that I am involved in the corrupted practices at the Custom Office where I am working at because I need the money for my family, my mistresses and to support these scrupulous activities.
Scenario 3:
His Excellency Sophal Sok, is a very high ranking official in the Ministry of Interior. He has authorities to decide on many critical things related to security and national interest. I have a very close personal relationship with his daughter and his wife. His Excellency Sok respects me because I have won a full scholarship to study in Thailand for my Masters degree. HE Sok is in charge of mobilizing troops to evict the residents living near Beoungkok lake because the Chinese are filling up the lake to make ways for condos and homes. I happen to be with HE Sok's family at a family farm where they come to relax and overheard the conversations. Chumteav Sok asks me for my opinion about what to do with these residents who will eventually be homeless? Futhermore, Chumteav Sok also asks me on the potential impact of the filling of the lake?
Scenario 4:
I am a good friend of HE Sok An's son who has tremendous power and influences as the government's manager. Sophearith is a good son, but much closer to his mother than his father because his father is always busy with the government affairs. HE. Sok An listens to his wife more than to his advisers. The Private Sector Forum now demands answers as to why the sewage problems in Cambodia have not been resolved because much money have been donated with international donors and development agencies. HE Sok An is under tremendous pressure from the PM to rectify the situation, but he is also aware that some agencies involved are not doing what they are supposed to be doing. HE. Sok An wants to protect these agencies and I am at a dinner table with HE Sok An's family and asked for my opinion about the situation?
I know that most of us are in similar situations and scenarios; it is up to us to take that baby steps to speak our mind. It is difficult and has to be done in ways where the receivers must understand that we are providing alternative solutions. Changes are much more difficult when faced with NEGATIVE CRITICISMS. So the approach must be positive with much care. Subtle yet clear and concise. Leave necessary spaces for the receivers to decide and counter his arguments. Our job is to provide ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS that are constructive and for the betterment of future generations and the human race.
Written by Johnny C. (RN International@2010)
No comments:
Post a Comment