"This product may contain raw fish," read the packaging on boxes of sushi at the local grocery store. Sometimes simple statements seem ridiculous. But sometimes statements that seem ridiculous are simply true. Often I hear people arguing about how much we should help Africa (or the poor or others). But I believe that it might be enough if we just stop stealing from them. It may sound ridiculous to suggest that we are stealing from the poor of Africa, after all if they can hardly take care of themselves, how can they have any excess for us to take?
I just watched a wonderful film based on a great book by John Le Carre (The Constant Gardener). In it is chronicled the story of one such theft. Although fictional, Le Carre points out (and the film does at the very end of the credits) that his fiction is a much milder indictment of the pharmaceutical companies than would be indicated by their actions. Whether oil from Nigeria, coltan from the Congo, cocoa from West Africa, coffee from East Africa, the Rosy Periwinkle of Madagascar, diamonds from many countries, gold, and--for hundreds of years--people, Africa has been a rich source for the wealthy of the world. Of course, the coarse among us would argue that the wealthy won it fair and square in the marketplace. But in reality, as the film illustrates and reading the history and news of African countries makes clear, the trade has been unfair based often on using guns and thuggery.
Worrying about helping people (because of corruption or inefficiencies) or wondering whether charity can help are feeble attempts to put off the truth. The truth is that we are stealing and that charity is only a start at reversing some of the greatest thefts in the history of the world. Love each other and treat strangers as you would your family.