Thank goodness you care about taking time to see and share the realities around you. What humans do to other individuals (humans, animals, etc.) and to this earth can often feel paralyzing. All who can help make this world a better place are truly needed.
Thank you so much for your article on the cage apartments in Hong Kong. It was truly an eye opener. The living conditions you described are heartbreaking, and I am grateful you had the courage and compassion to shine a light on them.
We need more writing like this, not only to expose the realities people face in other parts of the world, but to spark meaningful conversations about solutions and ways we can help. Your work is a reminder that awareness is the first step toward change.
Great post, Michael. It's important people know what realities locals face as they travel the world. But most likely your birds-eye view is and few and far between. Also, I think a lot of people don't really care to know. imho. (sadly).
This is so interesting to read and see. It wasn’t until I read the book Poverty by America by Matthew Desmond that I realized the poor have a role in rich people’s societies - they allow the rich to be rich, but this phenomenon sadly stretches everywhere. In Bangladesh, some of the security guards and drivers sleep in beds in a room and they work every day, seems like indentured servitude. Cheap labor is used to make other people wealthy. It’s sad to see Hong Kong is no different. Also, some of these buildings makes me claustrophobic - and I live in Dhaka!!
This was an eye-opening read. I remember your mention of cardboard grannies back when y’all were in Hong Kong, and I also remember thinking it was pretty darn bleak. But this is worse. It turned my stomach thinking how trapped these folks are and how hard work doesn’t afford them even a shred of dignity.
Thank you for this heartbreakingly honest look into a reality most of us would rather not see and for your example of choosing to engage with it.
Thank you very much, Matt. I was so impressed by the work of SoCo in the face of such challenges.
Thank you for showing this side of Hong Kong. These kinds of portraits are important. Change starts with awareness.
Thank you very much, Claire. It was quite eye-opening for me.
Thank goodness you care about taking time to see and share the realities around you. What humans do to other individuals (humans, animals, etc.) and to this earth can often feel paralyzing. All who can help make this world a better place are truly needed.
I try, but I also want to try to do better.
Thank you so much for your article on the cage apartments in Hong Kong. It was truly an eye opener. The living conditions you described are heartbreaking, and I am grateful you had the courage and compassion to shine a light on them.
We need more writing like this, not only to expose the realities people face in other parts of the world, but to spark meaningful conversations about solutions and ways we can help. Your work is a reminder that awareness is the first step toward change.
Keep writing. It matters.
Thank you very much, TT. Your words are much appreciated.
Great post, Michael. It's important people know what realities locals face as they travel the world. But most likely your birds-eye view is and few and far between. Also, I think a lot of people don't really care to know. imho. (sadly).
Thank you very much, Jeanine. And I suspect you are right…
Didn't mean to be Debbie Downer. Just from what I've seen living in expat enclaves.
Not being Debbie Downer at all. More like Rhonda Realistic!
Thank you. I can’t even imagine how they handle it.
Nor can I...
This is so interesting to read and see. It wasn’t until I read the book Poverty by America by Matthew Desmond that I realized the poor have a role in rich people’s societies - they allow the rich to be rich, but this phenomenon sadly stretches everywhere. In Bangladesh, some of the security guards and drivers sleep in beds in a room and they work every day, seems like indentured servitude. Cheap labor is used to make other people wealthy. It’s sad to see Hong Kong is no different. Also, some of these buildings makes me claustrophobic - and I live in Dhaka!!
This was an eye-opening read. I remember your mention of cardboard grannies back when y’all were in Hong Kong, and I also remember thinking it was pretty darn bleak. But this is worse. It turned my stomach thinking how trapped these folks are and how hard work doesn’t afford them even a shred of dignity.
Capitalism is a fucking scourge.
Thanks, Joe. Appreciate it. But I will say that I think the problem isn’t capitalism, but capitalism that isn’t tightly regulated.