Inequality, climate change, and conflict are evicting millions from their homes. But these perils are being met with 'anti-answers' such as nationalism, closed borders, lies, and hatred.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the negative effects of global issues like inequality and climate change, which are exacerbated by nationalism and hatred.
Winnie Byanyima's quote addresses the pressing global issues of inequality, climate change, and conflict that are forcing millions to flee their homes. It warns that instead of constructive solutions, society often resorts to 'anti-answers' such as nationalism and closed borders, which spread division and mistrust rather than fostering cooperation and understanding. The quote serves as a call to recognize these challenges and to seek solutions that promote solidarity over intolerance.
In practice
During a speech on global issues, one might say, 'As Winnie Byanyima pointed out, inequality and climate change are leading to mass displacement.'
High corruption and the influence of big business and the wealthy elite keeps the poorest Nigerians trapped in poverty and cut off from the benefits of economic growth and basic services. Some people - searching for the means to survive - became vulnerable to groups like Boko Haram.
African countries lose billions every year because of tax dodging by big corporations and wealthy individuals. They lose billions more from overly generous tax incentives in a misguided belief that this is the only way to attract foreign investment.
The high price of medicines is crippling healthcare systems and denying people access to the treatments they so desperately need.
The discrimination of women and girls goes to the core of any and all analyses of the world's economic, political, and environmental problems.
Instead of presiding over an economic system that panders to big business and a wealthy elite, a more human economy must be established which meets the needs of African women and young people.
We don't want to tell young girls and boys that the odds are stacked against them from the start. Instead, we could tell them that with passion, conviction, and determination we can build a better future. This future is possible by redesigning our economy to truly reward hard work rather than wealth.
Left unchecked, climate change risks not only making the poorest poorer, but pulling the emerging middle classes back into poverty, too.
When you try to bring about behavioral change by an effort of will, you actually do violence to yourself, and the chances are very good that you will not succeed. This is so universally true that you can actually make money from it.
At any moment the decision you make can change the course of your life forever.
Each book I write is a shout into the silence and a prayer and a plea for change.
By nature man hates change; seldom will he quit his old home till it has actually fallen around his ears.
You know, all is development. The principle is perpetually going on. First, there was nothing, then there was something; then-I forget the next-I think there were shells, then fishes; then we came-let me see-did we come next? Never mind that; we came at last. And at the next change there will be something very superior to us-something with wings. Ah! That's it: we were fishes, and I believe we shall be crows.
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