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Keisey Porter 8th Grade Roseville Area Midd[e Schoc Mr. Ueland 3rd Piace Let Us i�ork Togethe� Hurrian Rights Essay November 2, 2009 Why do bad things happen to good pEOple? Why do abuse, violence, and disrespect continue to claim their space in this fragile world? There aren't any simple antida#es to messy canflicts. But maybe there are ways to prevent destructive storms of hatred from drowning out the persistent fres ofpeace, respect, and justice on the Earth. Is it possi�le for charitable actians to cause more hurt than harm? Can trying to "}�elp" others be considered disrespectful in some cases? When I was first introc�ucec� to these concepts, I had troublE understanding them. Even now, I have barely brushed the surface of these complex and elusive ideas. But I have learned that charity can be complicated, and there are many deep levels to peaple's thoughts and emotions when someone makes a charitable endeavor. Some of us don't know what it's Iike to work hard. 5ome of us don't have ta worry about making enough money just to satisfy our basic needs. My family has �riends living in Mexico, and they usually don't have much money to spare—even though they work hard at their jobs six days a week. I used to wish that we cauld give t�em a smal� gift of rnoney, a Iittle sign o�'our friendship to help them out. But since then, my dad has taught me that, sometimes, it is best not to give maney to those who may not be as privileged as you are. He shared a quote with me that is attributed to an Australian Aboriginal woman tl�at says, "If you have corne here to help rrie you are wasting your time, but if you ha�e come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together." For me, these words are fiIled with profound mear�ing. When I think about this quot� in relation to conversations I've had with my dad, I undersian� the speaker to mean that sometirnes, people who are born into privilege feel the need to give out af our awn guilt. We feel that ifwe