What a great journal entry. Unfortunately, I think your friend is right on some levels. I want to give more. I get so annoyed at myself for bitching about my incredibly privileged life because I turn on the news or walk around town and I realize what a little spoiled brat I am. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems hopeless. Like no matter what I do, it will never make a difference. Which can get VERY tiring.
But I think you are absolutely right. Amen and preach on.
I agree with you completely and while I give a little less financially than you, I do pretty much the same thing and I also volunteer for various organizations. My point, I guess, is that whether or not it is making a very small impact, it still feels a bit hopeless. This is not going to prevent me from making an effort... but it's a little exhausting to feel like I'm not really making an impact.
i don't think that people should feel good for giving to the tsunami relief effort. because that's the only reason that they're contributing- so they can feel better about themselves and forget about it. its that type of touchey-feely "feel good because you gave something" shit that gets in the way of issues like the AIDS effort that you are talking about.
But I think you are absolutely right. Amen and preach on.