As college students, we are all at
drastically different places with money. Some are lucky enough to have their
parents backing them and can use any extra money earned in whatever way they
feel. Others are saving every penny because they know that they will need it to
pay back students loans. Because we do not yet rake in a full professional
salary, it is vital that we think outside the box when it comes to
philanthropy. Looking at the word phil
(love) anthropy (of humanity), one
can see that money is not necessary to love others. There are lots of actions
that express loving others that have nothing to do with money. This includes
volunteering, reaching out to new and international students, teaching,
providing services at low cost, or even giving away textbooks and clothing that
were once our necessities but are no longer needed.
One part of the book The Life You Can Save, by Peter Singer,
that stood out to me was about the corruption of the money already in
circulation. He pointed out that it’s not there’s not enough money to end to
poverty, it’s that the money is being poured into corrupt practices which keep
it from the poor. For instance, industrial fishing companies from Europe, China
and Russia catch there fish off the coast of Senegal, depriving the local
people of a major source of food and income. These fish are then sold to
Europeans, for whom fish is simply a luxury (p. 30). Singer then goes on to
talk about the raw materials that go into the products Americans buy every day.
He reports that in 2005, the Democratic Republic of Congo sold $200 million
worth of minerals, but that only $86,000 was given back to the people through
governmental services. The rest was kept by the corrupt politicians selling the
minerals.
Singer states that “If we use goods
made from raw materials obtained by these unethical dealings from resource-rich
but money-poor nations, we are harming those who live these countries” (p. 31).
Is this philanthropy, or love of humanity? Of course not! The Enough Project’s founders were disturbed by the fighting in
places like the Republic of Congo over minerals sources. Because it is so easy
to get rich over selling these minerals, violence is rampant as people fight
over the mines. The Enough Project
encourages Americans to practice philanthropy by considering carefully which
products they buy. If you don’t have
enough money to donate because of all of your college expenses, make your
college expenses philanthropic! The
Enough Project rates companies based on how ethical their practices are. So
when your laptop or phone breaks, simply buying from an ethical company and
staying away from an unethical one can help decrease the conflict over minerals
in places like the Republic of Congo. Since you would have bought a new laptop
or phone anyways, you are not “donating” any extra money, but you are putting
your money to good use. Other opportunities to purchase
wisely are in Fair Trade Coffee, locally grown produce, and Ethical and
Eco-friendly clothing.
As college students, we can make a difference. Expand your definition of philanthropy.
In the first paragraph, you point out: "Because [students] do not yet rake in a full professional salary, it is vital that we think outside the box when it comes to philanthropy...This includes volunteering, reaching out to new and international students, teaching..." While the old adage "time is money" is a bit trite, for college students with little to no disposable income, donating the former rather than the latter may be the easiest and best way to be philanthropists. There are hundreds of student groups on campus--sports clubs, arts clubs, religious clubs, etc. Some, like religious or service groups, might be the more obvious choice for someone wishing to volunteer, but any club can hold a fundraiser for local schools or charities. On the soccer team? Maybe the local high school could use some new equipment and you could help raise the money. In the Fine Arts club? You could help teach first-graders to finger-paint. Joining a club is a serious commitment, but volunteering with the local United Way or Red Cross can make a difference, even if it's only an hour a week. Instead of throwing money at a problem you see, donate time to help eradicate it.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea that philanthropy is about the love of humanity, and not the amount of money you have the ability to donate. As you mentioned, many students in college are saving their money in order to pay off their student loans in the future. This does not make them bad people; it means that they are aware of their financial responsibilities and planning for a secure, not necessarily lavish, future. However, college students do not need to have money in order to be philanthropic. By participating in a campus club such as Student Volunteer Center, SUNY Kids, or the Boys and Girls Club, students can donate their time and talent rather than their money. As the “I am a Philanthropist” video showed, these are simple ways to be a philanthropist while being mindful of one’s financial situation. By donating time and talent, everyone can do their part, whatever their situation.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, Michelle. As college students our finances make it difficult for us to make major contributions to the fight against poverty. Singer, however, would argue that even as students we could make sacrifices. For instance, he might suggest cutting back on going to the bars or road tripping with our friends. Like Eliza and Natalie, I believe offering time (as opposed to money) is more feasible for college students. Outside of the many volunteer opportunities we have in Broome and the surrounding counties, being college students also allows us to study abroad and extend our services to impoverished regions overseas. This might be seemingly unrelated but at one point of the book, Singer raises the question whether it is wrong for one to send their child to Princeton, where it would cost $44,000 a year to attend, and he replies that is not wrong if it is seen as an investment. With that said, while there may not be much college students can offer while in school, there are endless ways in which graduates can give back to the community and contribute to the fight against poverty.
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