Unfortunately there are many problems facing the world today. Especially at these trying times, there are a million and one issues I could pick from. From the war, to the recession, unemployment, to health care this world is facing some of the worse events that could ever occur. Due to these troubles, people as a whole seem to have lost values, reject responsibility, and forget compassion. This is the reason for most of the issues facing mankind and it is imperative that the necessary actions are taken to bring relief to these ongoing problems. The three biggest issues I see facing society are violence, the HIV/AIDS epidemic as well as other sexually transmitted diseases and world hunger. All of the topics I have chosen, with the exception of HIV/AID’s, are ones that seem to be losing the attention they and are becoming more prevalent in today’s society.

Violence remains one of the most widespread issues in the world whether it is in the form of genocide within the African American community or the war in Darfur. In fact violence is all around; it is displayed on all networks of television, billboards, and signs. Regardless of the form in which violence is portrayed, it doesn’t seem to warrant the attention of the nation. As a native of Philadelphia, I have been acquainted with the many affects of violence everyday within my community. As a student in the Philadelphia public school system I have been subject to metal detectors and physical searches. I know what it feels like to live in society characterized by violence. There have been instances where schools have been locked down because students had guns, even times where students were shot and suffered fatalities. Even with the metal detectors and searches I was still exposed to the hostility in a place which was supposed to be considered an institution for learning. Violence seems to be a long lost battle that the world has given up on. It has been the center of this world’s past and present, and in order for it not to be the center of its future we must realize, as members of society, that violence no matter where, affects everyone. The hostility that corrupts neighborhoods is no different than the violence that creates wars. Now that I have addressed one of the most over look issues facing the world today, let me address on of the more publicized issues.

Many young people around the world seem not to be familiar with or simply do not care about the complexities of the human body. Everyday this world experiences millions of tragic deaths due to health related issues. However, one of the most deadly diseases through the nations is one that can be easily prevented.  HIV/AIDS is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world today. African Americans account for over 50% of the infected population. With all of the popularity surrounding sex, it is impossible for abstinent and pro-condom advertisement, like the small “Wrap it Up” commercials to carry the same effect as the advertisement that provides sex related messages. Everywhere you look in society sexual innuendo is being displayed without regard for the people it will affect. We are taught especially in America, that sex sales but there is not enough talk about how sex kills at  just the same rate and sometimes faster. From the lyrics of Lil’Wayne’s Lollipop to Lady Gaga’s Pokerface more children are being introduced to the concept of intimacy but without the idea of responsibility. The same children that sing these explicit songs will not be exposed to condoms and safer sex procedures until Middle School and by then, especially in the black communities, it will be too late. AIDS is prevalent all over the world and killing millions everyday of the week. Black women have the highest rate of AIDs and as a black woman and a future OB/GYN, I feel like this should be the biggest issue surrounding our community. It is obvious that young black girls are not receiving enough information about the consequences involving sexual activity; either that or the information is not be told to them at an early enough stage for them to be proactive if and when they decide to be sexually active.

            Another one of the nation’s most prevalent diseases is Hunger. Hunger is a product of the governments’ lack of concern for the homeless and jobless individuals who roam the cities and streets of every nation. It seems that in America only churches have compassion for the homeless and hungry. One of the reasons for the increase in the number of transient is insufficient provision made by the government. Food-stamps are quite a contradiction because in order for most citizens to receiving them, it requires that you to have not only an address and form of contact, but a job. Why would a person need food stamps if they had a job, unless their job did not provide enough income to feed a family. It kind of defeats the purpose. I feel that there needs to be more government assistance that will help individuals until they can supply for themselves.

Global hunger is also a problem and although I am a firm believer that countries should take care of home before they venture into others’ problems, there should be some form of relief extended to international hunger as well. Rich nations should provide creative ways to help feed all the people of the world, men, women, and children alike. Maybe a world donation would be in order to help the starving people everywhere…

 There is no such thing as the bible because there are so many different versions and textual witnesses that there can’t just be one compilation of these ancient writing to be considered the bible. You have the Hebrew bible, which is the first five books of the old testament. The Masoretic Text, The Septuagint (LXX), The Vulgate, and a host of other textual witnesses so really there is no way to say that there is just one bible.

This entry was posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2009 at 3:59 pm and is filed under Week 02: 3 Big Problems. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.