Exploitation vs Education – The Dilemma in Dhavari Discussion
As you look at the practice of “poorism” described in Lancaster’s article the “Next Stop, Squalor,” what would you identify as some of the underlying ethical issues? What are some of your values that might influence your position on the “poorism” issue? As a community leader in this city, what would your position be on this issue? Please integrate your reading of the literature in your response. (Mays 2018)
Lancaster’s article is, in my mind, one of the most interesting and controversial cases we’ve explored in this class. The article does a great job of capturing both perspectives of the dilemma by appealing to our initial emotions on the matter and then constructing a compelling argument as to why ‘Reality Tours & Travels’ shouldn’t go out of business. If I were a community leader in the city, the biggest factor that would influence my stance is if I Way and Poojari convinced me that they were operating their business to benefit the community in the long-term. From what Lancaster described, it seems that Way and Poojari are operating with good intentions based on Way’s pledge to ‘donate 80 percent of its slum-tour earnings to a charitable group that works in Dhavari’ and ‘challenge stereotypes about the poor’ (Lancaster, 2007). Also, Poojari and Way’s tour is also operating the tour in a way that’s as least invasive as possible by only allowing tourists walk through the common areas of the city and prohibiting them from taking pictures of the residents in respect to their privacy and dignity. Assuming this is the case, I would support their business decision.
Poojari and Way are educating well-off tourists about the realities that plague the world outside of their own. In doing so, many of the tourists who walk away from the experience will be influenced to pledge their resources towards Dharvi’s residents which will only accelerate the timetable of change if more tourists were willing to give back to the community. Hiding the poverty that Dharvi citizens live with everyday will do nothing for the community. Also, Way and Poojari are doing their part to give back to the community therefore align with my value of integrity by acting on the lessons that they’re hoping to instill to their guests. Empathy is another one of the values that’s guiding my decision because both owners are enlightening tourists with a realistic experience of what living in extreme poverty looks like. In doing so, the business owners appeal to the emotions of the tourists and hopefully spur them to help make a difference. My only suggestion to the two men when operating the tour is that they create more awareness on how exactly tourists can contribute in the effort against Dharvi’s poverty. In the long term, I believe Poojari and Way are doing the right thing and greatly contributing to the development of the city.
References
Lancaster, J. (2007). PRESENCE OF MIND-NEXT STOP, SQUALOR-Mumbai, India, is the latest destination for poverty tourism, or” poorism.” But not everyone is onboard. Smithsonian, 37(12), 96.
Mays, A. (2018). DQ 4.2: “Poorism” case – Lancaster. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://learn.twu.ca/mod/forum/view.php?id=105591
“Empathy is another one of the values that’s guiding my decision because both owners are enlightening tourists with a realistic experience of what living in extreme poverty looks like.” – Ruiz
Ruiz, I appreciate your emphasis on using empathy to help guide your decision. I also find this as a key element.
Who are the “disenfranchised” or “exploited”? It is not difficult to imagine that people who are in poverty are more vulnerable and easily exploited. It is not a leap to consider other groups like people who suffer from mental illness, who are vulnerable too. Deep empathy can allow us to consider others plights that may not be so obvious.
I was recently driving to a friend’s home who lives in a very unique neighbourhood. I saw a tour bus filled with people going up the mountain. I asked my friend how the neighbours were feeling about tourism to see their homes. I heard how troubling it was for people in the neighbourhood, but especially for those whose backyard is visible from the extra-high angle of the bus and mountain road. This allows tourists to take pictures of people in private moments in their backyard (e.g., sunbathing or otherwise with loved ones).
Question 1: Do we only protect or support those who look obviously down-trodden?
Leaders who are in very high levels of leadership can often be overlooked. It is especially isolating for those who have been through wrongful character assassination in tabloids and media. I have walked closely with two different leaders who have been through this trauma. The level of fabrication of truth in the media has eclipsed into a level I never thought possible. Lives, reputations and careers can be destroyed instantly by powers and principalities. It can be easy to overlook people who seem to have a lot of power and monetary resources. Leadership at this level can be extraordinarily isolating and surprisingly vulnerable.
Question 2: How are we supporting these leaders? What if you become one of these leaders one day, how would you want to be supported? (Mays, 2018)
Reference
Mays, A. (2018, October 18). ***Empathy for whom? [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://learn.twu.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=34354
How are we supporting these leaders? Typically, people who achieve higher levels of leadership and responsibility are also afforded with higher levels of privilege. They’re able to access resources or opportunities followers don’t often get such as extra vacation times, bonuses, material wealth etc. One of the strategies I would implore to these leaders is to establish appropriate work-life boundaries and to recognize that ultimately they have control over their lives. This may mean saying ‘no’ to requests for added responsibilities or sharing work with followers. In today’s complex world, it’s especially important for leaders to adopt principles of transformational servant leadership in the workplace to avoid workplace burnout. If leaders work on transforming their followers and caring for their needs, not only will this develop the skills of followers but also allows for more fluidity in the workplace as followers are able to step in and aid their leaders when they’re being overworked. Another key aspect of this approach is in it’s tenet to influence followers to empower others around them. When you have organizational culture that focuses on self-development then every member feels empowered to take on more responsibility when required, thus reducing the workload of any one person and inspires camaraderie, love and understanding amongst the group. This also helps followers climb higher on Maslow’s Hierarchy which should ultimately be the goal of all leaders.
What if you become one of these leaders one day, how would you want to be supported? I haven’t yet experienced a role in which I’m responsible and accountable for a large group but if or when I reach that point, my focus would be on developing others. I acknowledge my optimism as well in this regard as I haven’t yet faced the challenges that would come with such a position and I understand that putting theory into practice is not always easy. Only time will tell if I stay true to my conviction but for now my approach is to develop the capacity of others to support each other and to instill the philosophy that whole is always greater than the sum of its parts. (Rivera, 2018)
References
Rivera, R. (2018, October 20). Question 2. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://learn.twu.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=34354
Your points are well articulated. My points below are more of a thought ramble.
Question 1: Do we only protect or support those who look obviously down-trodden?
I feel that you are inclined to answer your own question in the above post. I do not believe that we only protect or support those who look obviously down-trodden; others need protection as well “It is not difficult to imagine that people who are in poverty are more vulnerable and easily exploited. It is not a leap to consider other groups like people who suffer from mental illness, who are vulnerable too.” If you would quantify the need, the downtrodden and the poor are more susceptible and vulnerable, thus requiring more need and help. How do we understand the need of those who are not hanging out near the bottom of Maslow’s chart of needs? So, because I do not need daily food and shelter, are my needs less important than those who do? If I had depression and was not well mentally, would that need be less than shelter and food and water? I would think so. If you look at Bill Gates and his foundation, they are targeting the needs of those people. At the bottom of the chart; the Gates Foundation is all about water and medicine; keeping people alive. Yes, the downtrodden need protection first and most, but not exclusively.
If we don’t protect Bill Gates, how will he be able to protect and support the downtrodden?
And thus, your next question.
Question 2: How are we supporting these leaders? What if you become one of these leaders one day, how would you want to be supported?
Great question. Some say that there is a lot of work at the bottom, but it can get real lonely at the top. I have felt this way in the past, and have irregular moments of this on a varying continuum. This feeling can be fleeting, and yet needs a structure and network around it to keep it from progressing out of control.
We are supporting current leaders in many ways. Peer groups, mentors, TEC groups, forums, friendships, communities, and other support networks. On a personal level, we are supporting them with our trust in others, due process, and the integrity of other leaders. We are protecting them by not condemning before listening, we are filtering all the noise. We also support our current leaders by serving, giving of ourselves for them.
I would like words of affirmation, encouragement and time.
Currently, I have many of these. I am blessed with a caring mentor, and world-class wife, and a faith community that is beyond belief. And I am also held up by God, whose mercy is evident in my life every day, and who continues to bless and support me with his Holy Spirit.
Dr. Mays, I would be delighted if you could point me in the direction of some recent literature or methodologies on how the current experts are facilitating this for leaders. (de Haan, 2018)
References
de Haan, T. (2018, October 19). RE: **Empathy for whom?? [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://learn.twu.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=34354
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I like how you brought in Bill Gate’s empathy and contribution, but also the need to protect Bill Gates.
Regarding your question: “How do we understand the need of those who are not hanging out near the bottom of Maslow’s chart of needs?” – Tim, I would challenge us to also try to understand: How do we understand NOT only the need of those who are not hanging out near the bottom of Maslow’s chart of needs, but also those in the higher levels?” Some of the people in the higher levels of Maslow’s hierarchy also sometimes bear more emotional and physical burden in caring for others because they are focused on larger systemic, societal problems. I can think of quite a number of community leaders that are suffering from depression. While it can be due to a number of causes, some of what I am hearing is almost a collective grief from the state of the communities and cultures they serve. They are bearing deep burden’s from their care and concern and falling into hopelessness or disillusionment.
I see significant pain in all socio-economic groups and in each level of Maslow’s hierarchy. I first started to reframe my thinking when I read an article in Christianity Today about 25-30 years ago. It was first-hand account of someone who was in a somewhat higher socioeconomic group than most everyone in their church. It was impactful for me to read their account of repeatedly being over-looked in their times of need, and the assumptions people were making about that he/she should not have needs due. It sensitized me to try and see various needs without any assumption or prejudice. At about the same time, I met a woman who shared with me about her calling to minister in very affluent circles. She said it was heart-breaking to see the deep pain, loneliness and isolation in this group and that this sub-culture was likely the most overlooked group in the North American church. I think there is a big fallacy that a lot of money or power will insult someone from pain, affliction, or tragedy. I think it can exacerbate someone’s pain if others feel like they should be fine and not express grief or other painful human emotions. Helping to bind up the wounds and care for people in these unique circles can also be very impactful because when they know what it means to be served, healed and valued they can then use their resources to serve and care for others. We need to model what we want to see others do is my mantra. (Mays, 2018)
References
Mays, A. (2018, October 20). Question 1 [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://learn.twu.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=34354
—————————————————————————————————————————
Dr. Mays,
I’m quite glad you took part in this discussion as you’ve described ideas and perspectives that I’ve never considered before. You’re right, it is quite challenging to identify the needs of affluetial people that are on the higher levels of Maslow’s hierarchy. Part of why I think this is so difficult is based on people’s ability to adopt perspectives. The amount of people who reach Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs generally lessen the higher you move up in the pyramid. Of course, people’s position on the pyramid are dynamic as they move through life experiencing highs and lows. But in general, I question how people who typically remain on lower levels of the pyramid could truly understand the struggles of people much higher up. For example, how can someone who’s struggling financially and unable to secure a consistent source of income comprehend the struggles that Bill Gates lives with in trying to improve society? I’m sure many people can think of the general hardships he endures but I would argue that it’s practically impossible for less well off people to feel any real empathy for Bill Gates when they struggle to satisfy their own basic needs. The solution I venture to suggest is educate people higher on the hierarchy to take better care of their own and recognize symptoms of declining mental health. I’m glad that we now live in a society that promotes the openness and acceptance about conversations on mental health. However in the context of our conversation, I think the solution for affluent people who experience mental health is educate them on strategies to treat or cope with their depression and that the onus is on people on similar levels to recognize and empathize when this is happening. Of course, people on lower levels can and should be educated to recognize and apply principles of mental health first aid as well but they’re also limited in their ability to empathize with those on higher levels. (Rivera, 2018)
References
Rivera, R. (2018, October 20). Question 2. [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://learn.twu.ca/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=34354