The famous ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has gone viral this past year. Friends got together to have a good laugh while pouring a bucket of ice cold water onto their friend and then posting the video on Facebook. It seems like a fun thing to do, right? But unfortunately, there’s a major problem here. If you ask each person the purpose or meaning behind this activity, the majority will simply respond, “its about ALS”, and sadly, a lot of people will not have an answer to your question.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. So, I guess a good way of answering the question above would be with this response: the ALS ice bucket challenge is an annual event to raise awareness and funds to find treatments and a cure for the disease. And why the ice you might ask? Well, if you have this disease, it slowly takes over your body’s muscles and bones, causing symptoms like not being able to talk, walk, eat, etc. When throwing a large bucket of ice over yourself, your hands or body might feel numb for one second. For one second you MIGHT just feel the same as a person with ALS. A person that slowly isn’t able to communicate with their family, or eat on their own. An old friend of my parents used to babysit my sisters and I during summer when we were at the beach. She was always so loving around us and pampered us with gifts all the time. I remember waking up one morning, and with it not even being Christmas, she had gifts laid all over the floor for us. There was no doubt it was a dream to have her around. Just recently she was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 72. Her world was soon about to change in ways she couldn't imagine. The doctors said she had as little as 6 months to live. How do you take in that information? My parents and her family were extremely devastated and still are, considering this happened only a few weeks ago. Already she is beginning to lose her speech. When I see her, I don’t know what to say. Millions of people are diagnosed with this disease every day, which is why it is great they created this Ice Bucket Challenge, but I think it’s all of our jobs to let people know the reason behind it and to inform people about this disease. It is hard to acknowledge such a life-changing disease with just a simple act but if you’re going to do it, do it right. The world we live in is filled with sad experiences people have to suffer through, it is what we do for others that matters. I sit down not knowing what to say to my parents’ dear friend so I did the only thing I could do. Return the favor and buy her some presents.
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The Spanish empire in the 16th century was unbelievably rich. But how did this come to be? Well, it’s all thanks to the king of illegal mining. Potosí is located in the southern western part of Bolivia and is also the country's capital. Here, lies Cerro Rico, a mountain that contains infinite amount of silver and to this day is still legendary. Being 4,000 meters above sea level, Potosí is considered one of the highest cities in the world. Starting from the 16th century, it exported about 40,000 tons of silver, which made the Spanish empire the richest anybody had ever seen. In the beginning of the 1600’s, investigations were taken to charge because of the mining conditions. The Bolivian government had noticed how poisonous it was to the human body to be working in the mines, yet they didn’t take much action to addressing this issue. To this day, men continue to work in these deadly conditions of informal mining, risking their lives to support their families. As a miner, getting through each day alive is a miracle. Their beliefs, family and culture are all they have, however even holding onto these values will not erase the ugly truth of working under Cerro Rico.
We must first understand the consequences of illegal mining. The impact on wildlife is definitely something that must be taken into consideration. The metal mines have to be created by digging under ground, creating tunnels; as this was applied to all of Cerro Rico, many animals have been deprived of their habitat or simply killed. And of course, health problems and child labour. The majority of miners become infected with silicosis disease, meaning they probably only have 45 years to live after working for more than a few weeks in the mines. Unfortunately, in a town like Potosí, children as young as 10 years old begin working in the mines. All they wish is to be able to study hard to get a real job, out of the mines. In a heartbreaking documentary based on illegal mining in Potosí, Basilio Vargas’ story was told. As a 14 year old boy that started working in Cerro Rico’s mines at the age of 10, his father passed away when he was young, leaving him no choice but to support his mother and younger siblings. In the The Devil’s Miner, we hear about his painful work and how he dreams about growing old and having any job that doesn’t involve the mines. So, how do all these miners get through this nightmare everyday. Chewing on coca leaves releases some pressure from the altitude, reduces fatigue and decreases their appetite. Some may consume alcohol daily, to push through a hard day in the mines. In my opinion, I would support the view that there is not enough attention being given to Cerro Rico. To begin with, children should not be allowed to work in the mines, whether they are 10 or 15. Silicosis and other diseases resulting from mining have become very serious and must be addressed immediately. Thankfully, there are people that have are trying to save el Cerro Rico. Just like its name says for itself, this hill is way too rich to just let it self destruct. The government is taking action and has proposed a 2.4 million filled project that will restore its crumbling peak and strengthen its sinkholes that sustain its flanks. However, since 2005 this project has been failing and succeeding. In regards to its people and the industry, I suggest to make this informal mine, legal so that kids don’t have to risk their lives and so that men don’t feel obligated to go to extreme measures to find metal because this way there will be less casualties and health issues. I hope Cerro Rico can can find its way back to its former shape, keeping its title as the legendary home of the mines. |
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June 2016
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