S.O.S Canada

Students of St. Michaels College,

    In Canada, many of us are blind to the fact that we are blessed to afford for ourselves a standard of living which others would only dream of. As North Americans we have "won the birth lottery" and have been lucky enough to live in a society which is not ravaged by war, disease, famine or violence. In keeping with the idea of the American, or shall I say "Canadian Dream", our culture has become blinded by the ideal of success: success which unfortunately comes with a very high price to the other billions of human beings who were not as strategic with their geographic birth location. We live our lives in pursuit of self interest, so much so that we rarely question the political ethics and morals of the industrialized world or the transnational business interests which, arguably, have come to run it. North America has its hand firmly grappling the genitals of so many countries its' sickening, and with corporations running sweatshops and employing child laborers they are racking up paper like a hooker on dollar night.

    Currently, the Religious and Community Affairs Commission on SMCSU is raising money to aid the relief effort in Haiti. We are running a dual purpose change drive, not only are we asking SMC students to turn their spare change into a valuable donation but to also to change their outlook on life from the self absorption of North American culture and do
so much good with such little effort. I know that as poor struggling university students it is hard to donate money (or time) to humanitarian efforts, and this is precisely why our initiative is so great: you can give according to your means. Though it may be hard, you are able to go without a cup of coffee for the day—the people in Haiti are not able to go without food, water or shelter. $1.50 for a coffee is chump change to us, but to the people in Haiti it is a very valuable resource.     

Though this tragedy reminds us of how fragile life is, it can also serve to be used as a teachable moment. Often, the extreme poverty and horrible political and social injustices that go on in many parts of the developing world are unnoticed by the common Westerner; it takes blockbuster films like Blood Diamond and Life & Debt, or catastrophic disasters like last week's earthquake for us to open our eyes. To quote Hollywood, "with great power comes great responsibility"— as the privileged few we need to take responsibility for the underprivileged many. We need to give back to those who have been exploited at our expense and spread the wealth that affords us our 3 car garages and $600 coats to those who have nothing. This initiative calls out to each and every one of you to ACT and through this action effectively transform yourselves into a catalyst for positive change. In the words of Gandhi, BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD! Come on down to Brennan Lounge and donate your spare change for change!

Personally Yours,     

Amanda Fiume
Religious and Community Affairs Commissioner, SMCSU

N.B. While several agencies have complained about not being able to get aid through to the people who are in the most need, the Canadian Red Cross remains one of the most credible and well established international aid organizations. We will be sending all of the donation money that we collect through the Canadian Red Cross. Rest assured that your money will be used to the full extent of its worth