Slumdog Millionaire and social justice?

Tonight I finally went to see the Academy Award all-star Slumdog Millionaire. I wanted to love it, and did. I also wanted to believe that it would inspire many more people around the world to care about the poorest of the poor in India, like Jamal in the movie; but I am not convinced of that. It was mostly a love story, not a call for economic justice.

One part that I thought was especially powerful and insightful was when Jamal was leading two Americans down toward a river to see where women washed their clothes. While they were gone, other children stripped their car of everything. When Jamal brought the couple back, the driver blamed Jamal for the theft and started beating him up. Jamal exclaimed that he "just wanted to give them a taste of the real India." The couple stopped the driver and the woman said, "and here's a taste of the real America" and gave him $100. At first it was sad for me to think that to her America was money, then I looked at it at a deeper level.

I realized that we Americans do try to just throw money at problems and hope that it solves them. This kind of quick-fix philosophy is exactly the opposite of Sustainable Good. The $100 the woman gave Jamal didn't help create a long-term solution for his problems. Outreach International works to organize and empower people to solve their own problems. They have been running a school in India for over 25 years and hope to expand this to a field program in the surrounding villages.

The work of Outreach International and other organizations helps the vast majority of the poorest of the poor in India that don't get an opportunity like Jamal. Check out the work being done in India.

Just think if everyone that watched Slumdog in theaters was inspired to donate the amount they paid for the tickets to an organization that was creating a real difference in India...that would be powerful!

-Stephen Donahoe

Comments

[Millionairematch]

Slum Dog Millionaire represents the aspiration of young people. Becoming a millionaire is everybody's wish and people select different ways to achieve their dreams.

[Millionaire Dating]

Who else don't want to be a millionaire. The movie has amply portrayed the hidden wishes of millions of people. They are looking for ways to acquire a millionaire lifestyle.

[Dating Rule Book]

They have been running a school in India for over 25 years and hope to expand this to a field program in the surrounding villages.

[Dating Rule Book]

They have been running a school in India for over 25 years and hope to expand this to a field program in the surrounding villages.

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By doing we learn.

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They are looking for ways to acquire a millionaire lifestyle.

[Religious Dating Sites]

You are right. The film is more of love story and an aspiratiion of a poor guy to become a millionaire.

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One thing that confuses me about this video and related comments is the suggestion that the audience is 'pre-empting' the pentatonic scale. While they certainly do pre-empt the major third, which is fascinating in itself (and i suspect there are myriad theories as to why this happens, both cultural and physical), all other notes in the pentatonic scale are introduced by Bobby first, before the audience sings them. Therefore, the audience is merely replicating the notes on demand, and in different octave registers, so I fail to see how this demonstration shows the "deep connection between the pentatonic scale and the human brain"

[Picking up Women]

At first it was sad for me to think that to her America was money, then I looked at it at a deeper level.

[relationship and dating advice]

Without any doubt, I truly loved the movie. Yes it's a story of pure love, hate, and success. And it never failed to move and astonished every hearts in the world.

[Dave Gardner]

Great movie overall from the rise of poverty to the winning game. Experience pays off in the end!

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