Equality
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Rolande Hodel, Ossining: May 4 2008
Made Popular May 5 2008

Being raised in the women’s movement and being a strong supporter of Hilary Clinton for president www.hillaryclinton.com “Equality” for me means equal pay, equal rights in our court, equal access to higher education, Title IX and more. In “Love Without Conditions” Paul Ferrini’s www.paulferrini.com expanded definition asks us to share everything. He says if you have more than the person in front of you, give so that you become equal. This is hardly imaginable to us, however, in Cameroon, Africa where I work this is common practice www.AIDSfreeAFRICA.org. I am not saying that everyone is equal and that there are no well to do people, but an amazing ease of giving and generosity is obvious. Orphans and other neighborhood children come to the house and are given a meal. Gifts we bring for our hosts are not kept but handed to the person who needs it most. Medicine is bought for a sick neighbor who can not afford it. People who work the farm give fruits and vegetables, roots and corn. People who have paid jobs buy salt and oil. The goods are exchanged and no one gets home empty handed. Some give more some take more, and every one sings and chants and yes, praises the Lord. The happiness in the room is overwhelming.
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My hostess Eunice (third from left front row sitting) and neighbors enjoying gifts and each others company. Alakuma/Bamenda/North West Province/Cameroon/Africa. January 2007

Africa stores 2/5th of the world’s natural resources. There is no reason that the continent is as poor as it is. Creating “Equality” between the continents is not rocket science. We need to stop thinking of investing in Africa to make a profit for us in America or Europe and instead start investing in Africa with the goal to keep the profits in that continent otherwise we are perpetuating “Colonialism” via remote control. Columbia University Professor of Sustainable Development Jeffery Sachs en.wikipedia.org when interviewed for the July 2007 issue of Vanity Fair puts it succinctly: “We are talking about one percent of our income to avert calamity.” One percent is hardly asking for equality.

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Grace B
Quezon City, Philippines
Nothing could be more true. One percent is hardly asking for equality. It is just asking for kindness and generosity. Equality is far, far off - still.
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Americans are the best philanthropists in the world. But this good habit often ends for their country alone. Time has come when we should ponder over the comment of Prof. Jeffery Sachs that ”we are talking about one per cent of our income to avert calamity.”. Every religion teaches us to be compassionate for our neighbours etc. But how many of us are so? Other continents, in particular India, where millions and millions are wasted in vulgar display of money in marriages and building castles, have to learn a lesson from the Americans.
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Kahirey
Islamabad, Pakistan
Well written article. Drives home the point. I am sure you know the situation in Africa better than most of us because of your first hand experience. One percent of our incomes is nothing. When it comes to big MNCs investing in Africa, it does so to rape its resources for profiteering. See the kind of environmental damage Shell has done in Nigeria.
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Sukhbahar
Ludhiana, India
Africa doesn't need to be poor. It doesn't deserve to be poor. Much of Africa's woes are due to poor and corrupt governance and civil war. Once Africa becomes stable and peace prevails, everything will fall into place automatically. Then the 2/5 of the world's resources will make it prosperous. What we see in Africa today doesn't present a rosy picture.
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Ryan
Wellington, New Zealand
That one percent donation should be on a sustainable basis and the money must be passed on to the correct people. It should not end up with dictators like Mugabe. With proper checks and balances that can be used for disease and poverty alleviation of the people there. Cameroon is a good country to work in. It is stable and developing. How would you work in places like Congo? Though very tough, still people do.
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Vinodh
Colombo, Sri Lanka
Yes of course. One percent is hardly asking for equality. Actually it can never be. There are 1000s of non-profit organisations working in Africa for many projects that includes saving wildlife as well. Then there are mega foundations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and organisations such as MSF. Still so little has been achieved. Parting with 1% of one's earnings is nothing but would go a long way bringing smile to the faces of millions.
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Ankita
Thane, India
Anil:

>>>Other continents, in particular India, where millions and millions are wasted in vulgar display of money in marriages and building castles, have to learn a lesson from the Americans.

The Americans are the world's most wasteful people. And haven't you seen them spending? Come on please.
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Tiaan
Pretoria, South Africa
One per cent is hardly asking for equality. But better than grants we do do better with the suggestion where the author writes --

'We need to stop thinking of investing in Africa to make a profit for us in America or Europe and instead start investing in Africa with the goal to keep the profits in that continent otherwise we are perpetuating “Colonialism” via remote control.'

That's the way to approach the problems of Africa.
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Sean
Lusaka, Zambia
Africa has always been treated unequally and this is the time when the world must return their dues back to Africa. For starters though, I agree with the one percent giveaway theory. Will make a lot of difference.
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