"I can't go climbing anymore," said the voice on the other end of the line. "I don't have health insurance, so I just can't risk it." I was confused, frustrated, shocked. No, this wasn't a break-up. I had invited my friend Brian to go rock-climbing. So far, he'd gone with me a few times and had fun, so that he was bailing on me now was unexpected. But he had left his job, and now he had no insurance. We'd have to stick to rock climbing via Nintendo Wii.
That's the world of american-youth-with-no-healthcare. In the past decade, youth would go outside and climb trees, shoot hoops, and generally just be young and alive! But today, when we want to go out and run amuck, we are reminded that if anything were to take an unexpected turn (broken arm, bad cold, head injury) we might suddenly find ourselves in dire financial circumstances due to lack of health insurance. What's necessary, what's not, what's risky and what's safe. Who knows? Not my age demographic!
Us Youth have gotten flack for being 'absent' on the healthcare debates. I don't think it's because we don't care; I think it's because we are confused.
Many of us are so new to healthcare, that we're not exactly sure what to make of it. If you're in the 18- 25 range, you may have just gotten out of college (where health insurance is provided and usually mandatory) or just recently grown too old to be covered under our parents' insurance. As young people just starting our careers, what do we make of the healthcare maze, and how does that reflect our views on the healthcare debate?
I decided to poll a few of my friends to see what their situation is. What I got was three different scenarios altogether:
ALEX
The gist: Alex is the manager of a small business where nobody has gotten around to getting healthcare for the employees. While he's not worried about his health yet, he does wish for dental insurance so he can take care of some cavities.
MIRANDA
The gist: Miranda has worked part-time for 3 years at her work without insurance, and is now trying to make the transition into full time so she finally can. She doesn't like worrying about her lack of insurance, but isn't sure if a national healthcare plan would be better or worse.
BRIAN
The gist: After being out of work for 5 months with no insurance, he's happy to be covered under his new job. He's not sure about all the facts behind the healthcare debate, but likes change (and wouldn't mind giving insurance co's a run for their money).
In conclusion, I think we all care very much - perhaps more than other age groups. But it's hard to get a handle on the issue, and we're total n00bs. We need time, dialogue, information, and maybe a Healthcare videogame. (Um, Sims™ is that a challenge?)
This entry is part of the Youth Media Blog-a-thon on Healthcare hosted by Wiretap and YO! Youth Outlook! Throw in your own two cents!
Kirk Nelson, Andre Walker, Roosevelt Desir, and Chad Cherry are on a mission; an Organic Takeover! It is a movement to educate more people about healthy and organic eating, while debunking the myth that organic food is only for the rich and elite.
Chicken with pineapple jerk sauce on top of caribbean rice. See more recipes at organictakeover.com
Starting September 2nd, the four founders are going to be biking 40 miles a day for 40 days around Florida to raise awareness to their cause. Each day they will coordinate FREE daily on-site Organic Lifestyle Demos. Their volunteer efforts have already had them cooking for kids at the Miami Children's Hospital, the Girls Club in Liberty City, an oriental medicine healing center, and even President Obama and his family when they were in Miami.
These foodies came to learn about the benefits of organic food through dealing with their own health issues, including Cancer, Diabetes, and weight problems. Now they want to spread the message. Their catering company, Be Organic, will be bringing their delicious meals to everyday people so that they can learn how and why to adopt an Organic Lifestyle.
I just wanted to share this with everybody, it's a quick video update from Jerry Fowler, president of the Save Darfur Coalition. In it he speaks about his recent conversation with US Special Envoy (to Sudan) Scott Gration, and also what we should be looking for in the movement soon.
I just wanted to share this with everybody, it's a quick video update from Jerry Fowler, president of the Save Darfur Coalition. In it he speaks about his recent conversation with US Special Envoy (to Sudan) Scott Gration, and also what we should be looking for in the movement soon.
An article recently put out by Foreign Policy explains how it appears that various divisions in the Save Darfur movement (between different groups, as well as within the Obama administration) are now inhibiting the progress made towards a peaceful Sudan. I found the article very interesting, as it not only explains that point but also explains what will be neccessary of us in the coming times to continue to assist the people of Sudan, and not let the importance and urgency of what we wish to accomplish be so clouded by arguments over methods.
Another recent article by New York Times Blogger Nicholas Kristof also notes some issues in the Save Darfur movement, as well as issues with how the situation is being handled in general. This blogger also reviewed a book by Mahmood Mamdani, a professor at Columbia who recently criticized the movement in his new book, "Saviors and Survivors". Check out the review HERE.
So, what do you think? Do you agree with Mamdani? Do you think this movement has a chance? What can we do to help keep this movement alive and strong?
