War, Government, and individual involvement

Its been quite the week for International Relations.  Protests in Tunisia and Egypt.  Bombing in Moscow.  Sudan splitting into two countries.  Its been busy.  Bombings in Russia aren't a particularly unusual thing.  Chechen separatists have been fairly active in Russia since the breakup of the Soviet Union, including two wars, and refuse to give up.  The unrest in North Africa has been growing for years, and its about time its come to a head.  While they are making some headway in Tunisia, Egypt will be pacified by their leader giving them small concessions, just until they settle down, then its back to business as usual.

Whats really been on my mind is how individuals act and influence domestic government and even moreso the entire world.  Of course there's politicians, diplomats, and other government officials, what I'd like to be someday, but what I am concerned with is the role of the average individual.  I live with a man from Shanghai, China.  Today, while chatting about non-sense, we got on the topic of the Chinese government and their control over the media and its people.  What shocked me most was not the tight grip that the Chinese government places on its people, but the acceptance by my roomate of these controls.  He said, "we live with it,  there's really nothing we can do about it.  There is no official government authority that we can talk to".  This surprised me in two ways.  First is that he firmly believed that there wasn't a thing he could do about it, simply dismissing it saying he can't change it.  I'm not sure if its that he's grown up in it and not seen any way to change it, or if culturally the Chinese people have this overall attitude.  Regardless it stirred up some feelings within me.  Second, and this was more shocking than upsetting, was that he believed that the only way to change things would be if there were a government agency responsible for listening to citizens and recommending change, as if there was no way of making anything happen without the government as the conduit.  I asked him why there would need to be a government agency, why the people can't just start a sort of grassroots movement.  The concept didn't even register with him.  I suppose growing up in America where its not only common and accepted, but encouraged to start these types of movements and advocate changes on an individual basis, it seems as strange to me as the idea of change seemed to him.  He seemed almost confused at the way everyday American's can produce change in society in many different ways, from grassroots movements to becoming high level government officials.  It seems that the government in China is so invasive into society and culture that the people firmly believe that nothing can happen without its involvement.  I'm glad I live in America.

This brought up the question in my mind of what is the responsibility of the individual to fight for his own, and his nation's freedom, rights, and most importantly influence on his society and government.  I'm sure its not for everyone, but where would we be without the people who do fight for the rights and ability for those who do want it to have an influence?  As an American who grew up with many advantages in life, it seems that it would be irresponsible and morally wrong for me to simply sit by and watch things happen that are wrong, such as human rights violations, or even simply not fight for what I believe in with domestic policy.  I feel as though I would be turning my back on the millions of Americans and billions of people worldwide who do not have the opportunity to be influencial in society and global issues.  I'm not sure how much I can do, especially while still in college, but I feel like it is important to contribute even a small part for the overall goal and good of all.  I believe it is the responsibility of everyone who has the ability to produce change and influence society to do so, even if it is as small as donating to charity or simply even contributing to a society that will help the people who can't.  If everyone contributed a small amount, imagine all the good that could be done.