As I scrolled through TikTok admiring outfits from some of my favourite celebrities at the Met Gala, it hit me again, how far out of check we are with reality.
Capitalism wins again.
We continue to broadcast materialistic success, idolize the financially wealthy, and essentially forget about the millions of people whose basic human needs aren't met.
I fall into this trap too. Time and time again.
People find more meaning in, receive more media attention for purchasing the most expensive dress or purse, rather than feeding an entire village. We're ignoring most of the real worlwide injustices. We hide behind materialistic, fantasy-like events and items, because the truth is painful.
We forget that this ignorance is a priviledge. The millions of people living these injustices can't ignore these very real issues. They need help. But most people in the best position to help, continue to choose ignorance.
I am a firm believer, that we deserve to spend our well earned money, in whichever ever way we desire... so long as it doesn't cause anyone harm. I'm no mother Theresa, or monk. I can't say that I donate every extra penny I have. I still treat myself. I fill my closet with clothes that make me feel good. I stuff my face with more food than I need.
But there comes a point when we have to re-evaluate our priorities. We are all deserving of living our lives to the fullest, but how can we parade in million dollar dresses or accessories and ignore the millions of lives those dollars could save?
An individual Met Gala ticket is said to range from 30,000-50,000, and a table anywhere from 275,000 up to 500,000.
The Met Gala isn't all that bad. It raises funds for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute.
Fashion is a type of art, and I'm all for encouraging the expression of art. Art is important in so many ways. I'm not suggesting to cut off all funding to arts. That's the last thing I want to do. The world needs creative people.
But the world could benefit from a better distribution of financial wealth.
Capitalism has created a society fuelled by the wrong motives. We are forgetting what it means to be human. Our priorities are shifting the wrong ways.
Let's put things into perspective...
Reviving and purchasing Marilyn Munro's dress came at a cost of roughly 4.8 million $.
According to the World Food Program, 15$ could supply food for a child in Africa for one month. That single dress could mean 15$ given to 320,000 people in need.
Dresses at the Met Gala are said to typically range from 5,000 to 35,000$.
The Last Well reports an average of 3000$ spent to build a well. One dress could build 1 to 11 wells.
Blake Lively's 2018 look was reportedly priced at 2 million$. (No hate to her. I love Blake, but I'm trying to make a point).
A carpenter in Toronto built tiny homes that averaged at 1000$. Tiny homes to shelter people from the life threatening cold of winter nights. One look could mean 2000 of these tiny homes.
J. Lo's 2019 Met Gala look was completed with a 300,000$ necklace.
That could mean 20,000 15$ meals distributed. Or 100 wells built. Or even 300 tiny homes.
My intentions are note to cause guilt in the way we choose to spend our money. But may we be mindful of finding a balance between living our best lives, and spreading fairness and helping others meet their basic needs.
According to Worldometer 15,670 people died of hunger today, and that number keeps growing. That's about 1 death every second.
1...2...3...4...5...
Another person has died of hunger.
1...2...3...4...5...
Another.
2,995,210 people died from starvation this year according to The World Counts (The number has already grown since posting this).
That's about 748,802 people per month.
24,960 every day.
1,040 every hour.
17 people every minute.
About 1 person every four seconds.
1...2...3...4...
1...2...3...4...
1...2...3...4..
1...2...3...4...Think of all those lives in the few seconds it took you to read those lines...
According to Worldometer 773,329,450 people have no access to potable water. This number is decreasing every second... Unfortunately the decrease is likely related to death.
1...2...3...4...5... That's 44,752 people around the world who can't walk up to the fridge and pore themselves a glass of water at any given moment. 44,752 people who can't quench their thirst instantaneously. 44,752 people who are dehydrated. 44,752 people who are at risk of drinking from unsafe water sources.
1...2...3...4.... That's 35,802 people.
1...2...3... That's 26,851 people.
1...2... That's 17,901 people.
1... That's 8,950 people.
1... 8,950 with no access to water in the time span it takes you to blink.
According to Worldometer there's been 356,848 suicides this year.
That's 89,212 per month.
2,974 per day.
124 per hour.
2 per minute.
1 person every 60 seconds.
5 people for this 5 minute post.
In the time you read this, 5 people have ended their life for a variety of reasons.
5 people have suffered the consequences of poor mental health care access.
Various sites estimate 150,000 to 300,000 homeless people in Canada alone.
300,000 people with no roof above their heads...
300,000 people with no access to basic hygiene products...
300,000 people with no access to food and water...
300,000 people with no bed...
300,000 people who suffer the harsh consequences of everyday weather with no shelter...
300,000 people that we walk by in the streets...
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My Self-Improvement Journey
Non-FictionThis will be a collection of articles on life lessons I learned during my self-improvement and healing journey. ** Disclaimer: while I doubt anyone will notice, these stories were taken from my blog on Medium. I use a pen-name here and my real name...
