Contrast
Two flyers arrived today, tucked inside a free magazine. The first was for Centrepoint, a charity providing shelter, highlighting the real struggles some young people face this Christmas. Actually, all homeless people of whatever age, experience difficulties all year round, but the ‘Festive Season’ is used, sometimes cynically, as a prod to the consciences of those whose lives are more ordered and comfortable.
Nonetheless, at a time of year when togetherness is promoted and perfection is touted as the ambition of all right-thinking folk (you’ve seen the advertisements, yes?) we are pricked into considering how we might help, in whatever small way we can. There are many calls for help for people in desperate plights in the affluent Western world. Their desperation may not measure up to that of others in less prosperous countries, but it’s not a competition. Suffering is suffering, no matter where or how or why. Suggested donations range from £12 to £100, although if people wish to give more, they may do so.
The second flyer was advertising luxury yacht cruises. ‘Save up to 25%,’ it said. ‘Flights included.’
If consumers wish to avail themselves of this generous offer, they can book a cruise for anything from £3,429 to £5,045 per person, depending on route, and location within the vessel. If a longer cruise is desired, the price rises accordingly.
Compare and contrast. It is a strange world!
The affluent choice is almost unimaginable.
ReplyDeleteTwo extremes, although the expense of the trip one would be nothing to the oligarchs.
ReplyDelete