I'm hoping this is "fake" in some way...









Obviously, the smoking is what has the most immediate impact...but in my eyes, it's everything: the surroundings, the dirtiness of the child's clothes...just the fact that it looks as though this child will never experience "childhood", but instead will have adulthood forced upon him far too quickly and far too soon. Seriously...shit like this breaks my heart.

There's another thread on here that asks "What if you won an obscene amount of money...". I haven't read the thread, but I've always thought that if I were to have that level of income (whether thru earning or winning), the majority of it would go towards finding ways to improve the lives of so many children and their families. Working with the teenagers in South Central solidified this very real desire inside me many years ago. I'm not sure exactly what I'd do or how I'd do it...most likely would have to work with someone who has more intuitive ideas for helping children than I have. But there's no doubt in my mind or heart that that's what I'd do.

It bothers me too...I've seen these photos here before and I was really sort of shocked by the somewhat callous responses.

I just want to steal that boy away from all of that...

well,
i cant believe what im seeing...thats aweful! ana' REAL problem,

your right

that weave basket is so passe

shausler said:

Shausie!

shausler said:

One of my boyfriends in high school grew up in Indonesia and he was doing things like this - and worse - when he was a young child as well. We're talking 4 or 5. Even worse, his dad thought it was great entertainment, and would show off his son to his friends (and strangers). Not an isolated incident, which is even worse. When he got older, he never felt the need to 'rebel' by drinking or smoking because he had done it all at such an early age.

That was a tangent, though... I agree Byron, the smoking is bad enough but the rest is horrifying and heartbreaking.

applekisses said:

So do I...

I had wondered if these photos had been posted before...I don't hang here nearly as much as I used to, so I thought they may have. Still...very potent images, so worth another thread.

Byron said:

Absolutely...and I'm glad that you brought them up again in this context.

hell U think that bothers U!! it bothers the hell out of me. I send this kid money 2 sponser him.now I know what he has been doing with my money.

http://www.prince.org/msg/100/64709

PEACE N B WiLD!!!

shausler said:

OMG!

Seriously, though--if this picture is fake, there are a million "real life" situations that mirror this. So your botheration is well-founded.

There are so many battles against injustice to fight out there. I hope people pick one or two closest to their hearts, and get out there. You don't have to have money--just a little time and desire!

And while we're at it...

http://www.prince.org/msg/105/66740

This is reality at its best.

Sadly, there are millions of children that live this way..

Besides the sadness of such a young kid smoking, I don't see anything wrong with this picture. He's got a decent haircut, his clothes aren't tattered and he looks healthy enough. I've been living in these parts for years and poverty is a real thing. But a kid like this won't ever see our side of the world and won't ever have a chance to miss it. He's probably not feeling our pity and chances are his life will be just as happy as your average Westerner. It would be unsafe to assume our 'richness' is something that would improve the quality of life and happiness of somebody like this kid.

im equally offended by

a million rowandans getting meshedied


this is a grim globe we spin on

sabaisabai said:

I didn't mention anything about wealth or lack of...I mentioned the condition of his clothes (dirty, with holes), the (admittedly) seemingly less-than perfect conditions of his surroundings...as well as the indication that he will be deprived a childhood, instead having a far-too-early adulthood pushed upon him by various external pressures...the smoking, in reality, only underscores (or symbolizes) that concern in my eyes.

That's just wrong... do you think he learned from your avatar?

my son is that size

i picture him like that for an instant


and i shiver

PEJ said:

from you alright

i learned it from watching you!

sabaisabai said:

Byron I love your point ... but I equally relate with sabaisabai as well. Although I have not been exposed to other parts of the world to physically experience all realities within it. I can "see" how physical actions that may seem crude and ill in make can cause wonderment and disbelief. I do know that some people (people I know) have made certain choices to live a certain way of life... that I at times just don't understand (perhaps never will). I also see how even through their chosen way (I highly believe in choice, given those choices are presented or willed), they can be content and happy even when faced with constant adversities. I speak of my biological mother and her life as it is today, her life has been interesting to say the very least.

Now as for the one who knows no different (maybe/maybe not), living in the "norms" of their society... how difficult it may be to live by the "norms" of what is unseen or quite possibly unknown somewhere far out of their reach or consciousmind of direct awareness.

I want to learn more... so much to truly become aware of, so much I don't have a clue about... but to approach all that comes my way with and an openminded perception, it truly my goal and main focus in life.

Now what did I just say...

Now what did I just say... [/quote]

Exactly.

i apologize for making jokes

this bothers me as well

sag10 said:

Exactly.

As long as I know...

~Just one of those days...

Freespirit said:

I get what you just said...

Both you and sabaisabai have very valid (and good) points...part of my thought process, I think, deals with an article I read long ago about how, at least in Western societies, the concept of "childhood" only recently took root within our culture...we see and value childhood and all it contains differently now than we did maybe 50-75 years ago. I guess I just saw this kid being robbed of his childhood ...and that's just a very potent sticking point within me at times.

Ps: check your email...

Byron said:

a you are...

I knew you would understand... didn't want cause commotion around here.

High Freespirit.

Byron said:

There's also nothing to say this kid doesn't go to school.
I'm guessing, though I could be wrong, that this photo is from China, where a huge proportion of males smoke. If it's not recognized as a dangerous habit then it wouldn't be considered wrong for a kid to smoke as soon as able. ... oops, plenty of assumptions made in this paragraph!

Whatever the case, it's very difficult to look at a picture like this without imposing our own life views and experiences.