Why do people accept things for the way they are?

Question

Sure a rock is a rock. But why do we allow racism? War? Poverty? Hunger?

Answer 1

We are inclined to accept those things that we as individuals really have no control over.
Only through our combined efforts can the biggies be addressed.

Answer 2

I think the overall mentality is that "One person can't change anything, so why bother". Also - I think that if you directly aren't affected by racism, war, hunger, poverty, etc., then you don't understand WHY these need to change. I have never experienced any of these things, so my perspective is different than say someone who fought during the Vietnam War or was a victim of racism.

We, as a society, allow these to continue because not enough people are personally affected by them to make it a priority. Sure, people say "War is bad" but until you have a bomb explode in your backyard on a daily basis, you don't have the full effect of just how destructive and life altering it is. It's easy to give $10 to a homeless shelter or volunteer a few hours a month at a soup kitchen, but until you experience living on the streets or having to scrape together change to buy your child diapers, you will never be motivated to change the system.

Answer 3

I agree with the views of "lonely_girl398" People in general do not understand the feelings of the victims of racism unless they themselves become the victims.Same is the case with war, poverty and hunger.The thinking' what I can do to solve such major problems' is also one reason for accepting these things as facts of life by people who feel that racism. war, poverty, hunger etc. are to be removed from our planet.Then there are some people who are so selfish that they are not bothered about these things and feel that these should be tackled by governments only and not by individuals, if at all to be tackled.

Answer 4

I think part of it is failing to recognize that they are part of the problem, if they're not actively fighting it. Also, people don't always see the overarching effects of racism, such as the economic conditions or environmental racism that occurs. War- probably complacency, I'm sorry to say. Poverty and Hunger, hasn't reached enough of the people who can do something to alleviate that suffering yet. In short, I mean, any of us who have access to a computer and can read this. Maybe if we came to understand the fragility of our positions and the hair's breadth away we are from being touched by any of these things you mention....

Answer 5

we allow racism, war, poverty, and hunger because we are programmed to. our education is teaching us what to think not how to think. this leads to the replication of the system by means of schooling. in other words this education system reproduces this social structure meaning war, poverty and hunger never end. so far as war is concerned, there are elements and war lords who benifit financially by war. think of USA, pentagon sells weapons which it buys from corporations like lockheed martin and halliburten. more war explodes, more money can be made. who exactly makes money? it is all a part of military industrial complex here in USA.it has a lot to do with the present economic society and increasing globalization. if you wanna know more post a good question. i will be happy to answer

Answer 6

There are many reasons:

Ignorance.
Lack of resources.
Feelings of helplessness.
Fundamental disagreements over how we should solve these problems.
Politics.
Lack of education.
Differing priorities.
The momentum of tradition.
Differences in belief over our role in aiding others.

I think it was H.L. Mencken who said, for every problem there is a solution that is short, simple, and wrong.

Solutions to the problems you raise are highly complex and not easily implemented even if we can agree on them (which we can't). We must nonetheless strive to avoid the "short, simple & wrong" route.

Answer 7

We can't take on everything at once. Each person has to pick his battles and leave the rest as is.

Answer 8

change takes energy, your list is allowed due to people(as a whole) not wanting to expend that energy. Lazyness... it is easyer to go with the flow, rather then fight it.

Answer 9

good statements so far...
to make it simple: people would RISK THEIR LIVES fighting these grievances! if they are not confronted with them anyway, what is the point in risking your live then?