“That’s not fair,” I said to my mom. “He got more than I did.”
How many times have you said it… heard it… thought it?
The truth is, you were probably right. It wasn’t fair. But in this world we live in, many things are not fair.
Rather than worrying about the smaller portion of food you got, the toy you didn’t get, or even the singer or band who achieved popularity (and you’re better than they are!) — you really just have to deal with it. Because while there may be some injustices, they usually aren’t insurmountable or life changing.
But let’s take a global perspective today.
What I see that’s not fair as I travel the globe, is that I live in the USA and have access to pretty much anything I need, unlike many others around the world. I can even afford many things I want.
So why am I whining over how my steak is cooked, that guy who stereotypes me because of my long hair, or why I didn’t get bumped up to 1st class as a silver medallion A-list flyer!
I need to take my eyes off myself and what’s not fair for me, and think globally. Here’s what’s not fair: although there is enough food, water, and medicine in the world to care for everyone, there are nearly 30,000 people dying from hunger related and preventable diseases every day.
They don’t have a voice to complain about it.
But when there’s an injustice in my life, I can speak up and do something about it. When my steak isn’t cooked right, I can tell the waitress and have it sent back to the kitchen.
When something isn’t fair in our country (these last months have really shown us this) advocates can hold signs and demand justice. Many people will stand up and be advocates for fairness and justice — whether it’s low wages in the US, apparent unfairness with stereotyping people, or outright cruelty and murder — we live in a society where people will stand up and protest. They’ll invest time, energy, and money to make it fair.
I’m glad for that.
But for those nearly 30,000 children who die every day, who is the advocate for them? Who is holding rallies, or holding cards in the marketplace declaring there needs to be enough for everybody? Very few are. Is it because they are so far away?
Martin Luther King Jr. said “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Do you think it’s fair for an entire community of children to be sick with guinea worm disease (from impure water), so sick they can’t concentrate and receive no education?
Do you think it’s fair for women and children to have to walk 10 miles just to get that infested water because it’s the only thing they have to drink?
Do you think it’s fair for children to be stolen from their parents and family at a young age and taught to kill… taught that it’s OK to kill?
Who is standing up for them? Where is the justice?
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’-Martin Luther King, Jr. #LIVEmusiccares #MLK
— Tom Jackson (@onstagesuccess) January 19, 2015
I need someone reading this to become part of what we are doing — it’s why I started a new website recently at LiveMusicCares.com.
I believe many of you artists and musicians care enough to check it out and see what you can do to help others… to seek justice for those without a voice.
I know that once I begin to think of helping others, I don’t whine as much. Little things not being fair aren’t that important. I become more alive, content, and full of purpose — beyond helping artists with their show. In the end, this work I do with LiveMusicCares.com will mean much more than working on Taylor Swift, Magic! or LeCrae’s shows.
As someone who thinks justice is important, I’m begging — yes, begging — you to help. Because if it were my kids who were starving I would beg. Few others are begging for the poor around the world. Will you join me?
If you are an artist on the stage, in front of people regularly (at least 20-25 times a year), able to appeal to your audiences on behalf of the injustice, and are passionate enough to make it work, let me know. Go to our LiveMusicCares.com website and fill out the inquiry form to get more information.
I want you to speak out for those kids who can’t speak out for themselves.
“We must speak with all the humility that is appropriate to our limited vision, but we must speak.” Martin Luther King Jr.
Tom Jackson
Tom is uniquely talented and skilled at transforming an artist's live show into a magical experience for the audience; helping artists at every level create a live show that is engaging and memorable, teaching them to exceed their audiences' expectations and to create fans for life. Tom has taught indie and major artists of every genre. He has worked with Taylor Swift, Le Crae, Home Free, The Tenors, Shawn Mendes, The Band Perry, Francesca Battistelli, Jars of Clay, & many more. Tom also teaches at colleges, conferences and events worldwide.
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Trust me i have met a refugee our work was helping. I know we have it good where we are. it’s only human nature though to complain about something no matter how happy you are. it’s the severity of your situation that determines how LOUD you complain about.
Great post, thanks. Reminded me of this from Louis CK: “Listen. The only time you should look in your neighbor’s bowl is to make sure that they have enough. You don’t look in your neighbor’s bowl to see if you have as much as them.”