Since starting the petition on Avaaz regarding cancelling all debt, I have learnt something truly disturbing. The petition has had over 75 views but only 10 signatures, including mine. There have been varied responses to it. Some people have very reacted badly to it, by personally messaging me on facebook and telling me that it is impossible or telling me outright that it will never happen. Others have wanted answers to questions I cannot know the answers to. A lot of people wanted me to tell them the ramifications of the debt being cancelled. They asked me about how it would affect the world and one person even asked how the world could feed everyone if the debts were cancelled.
At first I was puzzled by this reaction. I wondered why people felt so afraid by this idea. But soon I realised that it wasn't just that they were afraid of the unknown but that they feel so disempowered already that they cannot imagine that we, the people can collectively try to make a difference. So, then I began to wonder when did people forsake themselves, or shall I say, when did people lose hope in themselves?
I feel that it is our responsibility as residents of this planet to step in and say enough is enough. Okay, maybe it is very difficult to stop The IMF and World Bank from doing what they are, but how can we truly know whether something is possible or impossible unless we all try?
It truly scares me that so many people went on the petition's page, read the short information on it and didn't sign, purely because they don't think that they can make a difference, that their voice won't matter. About 2 months ago, I remember asking my Lecturer what the point of development work was if it wasn't really making any structural changes, and she replied with-' at least they are trying, it's better to do something rather than nothing.'
We all have some power within all of us, and I believe that collectively we can make a difference.
Petition:http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/World_Bank_and_International_Monetary_Fund_Cancel_all_debt/?copy
Until next time,
Sen
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