i just attended an insightful debate on the issue of 'is the world caring too little about some nations' on BBC World, and it really provoked a few humble thoughts of mine.
halfway through the discussion, it became evident that the question became 'is it America (and the West)'s job to intervene only?'.
though nobody calling into the discussion raised this (i had wanted to call up but the session was almost closing when i got the phone), i realized that it would be, if the alternative was to depend on Asians to rise up the the same call.
yes the legitimate argument labeling it the West's job is that they have the most resources to contribute charitably. but allow me to remind ourselves (including me) that with the rise of many 'dragons' and what have we, resources, financially or otherwise, are increasingly being owned by Asian masters of today too. so, why are we then preferring to call it other peoples' job and refusing to partake in its ownership in this due season?
i had wanted to say that Asians are, sadly, a less caring population. (if you think im trying to throw bad eggs at a foreign camp, im reminding you im doing it to myself too.)
this has to do with our deep-running tradition of being a modest people. unlike the western counterparts, we are less likely to consider the affairs of other individuals as ours. a Chinese proverb correctly puts it - to sweep off snow at one's own door front.
dont mistake this as an interpretation of an immoral Asia. we are just amoral, and the relevant difference lies therein. i heard someone said before that Asians are takers, but less givers. i reserve my comments on the first, but i render full agreement to the latter.
another point i wished i could have pointed out is that Asians gravitate to identifying with ethnic similarities more than our liberalized Western counterparts, who embrace the human race as a whole more readily. so, even if charitable givings by Asians are not to be overseen in our discussion here, i believe a closer look would provide some clue to show that we had been more comfortable lending help among ourselves.
if this humble post gets onto a known platform to create any waves, i know to expect backlash from nobody but Asians first, who care about pride (my third point) more than anybody. but then again, melvinstory's little known. :)
i used to have naively not being able to comprehend why the world's Big Brother, America, had its nose poked in so many of the domestic affairs of other nations. but i realize that it is because of their understanding of a global village and their moral stake in it which i lack that motivates them to get their hands on a dirty job. but the least i could do to start learning from them was to open up my heart and recognizing my areas of inadequacy, and to deal with them. i believe radical change is slowly but surely on its way, when the Asian society made up of you and me starts to change.
