By Anthony:
I want to recommend - "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" by Katherine Boo. I don't know much about the author, but a friend wanted me to read this book with him and we both enjoyed it a lot. It's a moving story about people living in an Indian slum. Some of the characters are extremely poor and hungry while others are more well-to-do comparatively. I would guess that books like this are not very common in that we do not often read stories where all of the characters are very poor. While I found the book extremely depressing, it was also enjoyable to read because it was so interesting. If you want some real life images to help you imagine the places talked about in the book, see this article for stunning pictures of Indian slums.
Even though I doubt it was the author's intention, the book brought to a vivid light all of the things that When Helping Hurts talks about. The stories of those living in the slum made painfully clear that their problem was not just that they lacked money. There were many other contributing factors which led to their living in poverty. To begin with, like everyone else, they are sinful so some of their poverty may have come from sinful choices. But it was clear to me that poverty of community (broken relationships with other people) was one of the biggest things keeping people in poverty in this story. No one could trust each other or help each other, and corruption was rampant from the top officials down to the neighboring poor families. With no trust and no cooperation of course people will remain trapped in poverty. The book also illustrated well poverty of being (a broken view of self), in which many of the characters felt so frustrated and hopeless about changing their situations, and felt so worthless. Poverty of spiritual intimacy (broken relationship with God), was obviously clear as well. I won't give anything away, but the author did a good job showing the characters wrestle with morality and meaning of life. The book was also depressing in showing the broken systems of India, especially, but not limited to, corruption. The book even brought to light what might make us uncomfortable: that is, the broken system of international aid (she even mentioned World Vision, an organization I like by the way).
So this book was really helpful in painting a clear picture of the principles about poverty I have learned so much about. It makes it vividly clear that if we are going to fight poverty, it cannot be only about giving money. That will never work. We have to address these other types of poverty, and we have to bring in the Gospel.
I also took away that unless we can help people resist and fight corruption, starting at the lowest levels, perhaps through the Church and community groups, then no real change can happen.
Last, this book was also a wake-up call to how easy my life really is. I'm spoiled beyond belief. How could I ever complain about not having enough?
I want to recommend - "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" by Katherine Boo. I don't know much about the author, but a friend wanted me to read this book with him and we both enjoyed it a lot. It's a moving story about people living in an Indian slum. Some of the characters are extremely poor and hungry while others are more well-to-do comparatively. I would guess that books like this are not very common in that we do not often read stories where all of the characters are very poor. While I found the book extremely depressing, it was also enjoyable to read because it was so interesting. If you want some real life images to help you imagine the places talked about in the book, see this article for stunning pictures of Indian slums.
Even though I doubt it was the author's intention, the book brought to a vivid light all of the things that When Helping Hurts talks about. The stories of those living in the slum made painfully clear that their problem was not just that they lacked money. There were many other contributing factors which led to their living in poverty. To begin with, like everyone else, they are sinful so some of their poverty may have come from sinful choices. But it was clear to me that poverty of community (broken relationships with other people) was one of the biggest things keeping people in poverty in this story. No one could trust each other or help each other, and corruption was rampant from the top officials down to the neighboring poor families. With no trust and no cooperation of course people will remain trapped in poverty. The book also illustrated well poverty of being (a broken view of self), in which many of the characters felt so frustrated and hopeless about changing their situations, and felt so worthless. Poverty of spiritual intimacy (broken relationship with God), was obviously clear as well. I won't give anything away, but the author did a good job showing the characters wrestle with morality and meaning of life. The book was also depressing in showing the broken systems of India, especially, but not limited to, corruption. The book even brought to light what might make us uncomfortable: that is, the broken system of international aid (she even mentioned World Vision, an organization I like by the way).
So this book was really helpful in painting a clear picture of the principles about poverty I have learned so much about. It makes it vividly clear that if we are going to fight poverty, it cannot be only about giving money. That will never work. We have to address these other types of poverty, and we have to bring in the Gospel.
I also took away that unless we can help people resist and fight corruption, starting at the lowest levels, perhaps through the Church and community groups, then no real change can happen.
Last, this book was also a wake-up call to how easy my life really is. I'm spoiled beyond belief. How could I ever complain about not having enough?
Thanks Anthony. I started this book awhile back at my daughter's recommendation, but I couldn't get very far into it as I too found it very depressing. I appreciate your perspective on all the issues you saw highlighted, so I will give it another chance.
ReplyDeleteHighlighting the issue of corruption and lack of social trust is interesting. I think we in the US have been very "spoiled" in that regard, but that seems to be changing quickly. I have not thought specifically about how that impacts poverty and relationships, but appreciate your wondering how the church can impact this on behalf of the whole social/relational aspect of our communities.
I'm praying that you and Sara are getting some respite in the midst of your busy travel schedule. God bless you!
Thanks Anthony. I started this book awhile back at my daughter's recommendation, but I couldn't get very far into it as I too found it very depressing. I appreciate your perspective on all the issues you saw highlighted, so I will give it another chance.
ReplyDeleteHighlighting the issue of corruption and lack of social trust is interesting. I think we in the US have been very "spoiled" in that regard, but that seems to be changing quickly. I have not thought specifically about how that impacts poverty and relationships, but appreciate your wondering how the church can impact this on behalf of the whole social/relational aspect of our communities.
I'm praying that you and Sara are getting some respite in the midst of your busy travel schedule. God bless you!
Thanks for posting this, Anthony. I haven't read this book, but from your description of the multiple aspects of poverty, it sounds as though it is extremely difficult to help those in poverty if they remain in that community that has so many problems. For example, if the community has a "poverty of community" can any individual or organization do anything about that? It would require scores of people to change their views and outlooks. Similarly, how does one fight corruption if it is so pervasive and so endemic?
ReplyDeleteIf a person could be relocated to a community withou those problems, it may be possible for him/her to improve his position, but how does he or she improve while living in a culture of poverty?