Why we do what we do…

Minor spoiler for the Constant Gardner if you haven’t seen it…




Yesterday I watched the Constant Gardner with my mom. Earlier in the semester, some of my classmates had a social outing and caught it together, considering that it’s such a public health movie. To not spoil it too much for folks that haven’t seen it, the backdrop for the film involves the AIDS pandemic in Africa, and how Big Pharma (aka, pharmaceutical companies) take advantage of vulnerable populations – in particular, either testing new products on human beings that do more harm then good, or charging poor people through the nose for products that do work. What the higher ups will do for a buck, eh? In any event, the primary focus of the story is some guy’s undying love for his wife, and his quest to figure out why his wife was murdered. This film had me thinking about a lot of things – how come even after a movie like this has some out, we talk more about how such a great film it is, and not what can we do to put an end to injustices not only around the world, but within our backyards as well; how money and fame can ultimately supersede the ethics and morality of human beings (we’re supposed to live unselfishly, right); but ultimately, why do we as human beings do what we do. In the film, the wife is constantly pushing the issue about the importance of putting an end to the genocide of the Africans, yet the husband barely cares. It’s not his problem so to speak. However, after his wife is murdered, he goes on this fact finding mission to figure out who was responsible for his wife’s death – and if it unearths the untruths and deception that the Big Pharma company has hidden, then that would be an added plus. I wonder, is that a positive of negative outcome? I mean of course it brought into the light perhaps a greater injustice, but if his wife had not been murdered, would he have given a shit? I know I’m going on and on about a partially ficticious scenario, but I have to give some sort of general explanation, as I see this on a constant basis in public health, let alone in my private life. More recently, I sold some raffle tickets to help raise money for the Women’s Cancer Resource Center to raise money for all the great work that they do for so many families that are affected by cancer. They had some really great prizes, but to me, the ultimate gift was supporting the center. However, and acquaintance told me that if she had known what cool prizes were offered, she would have bought a ticket. Way to go eh? I guess I shouldn’t be so critical about the Constant Gardner. I often wonder that if I hadn’t lost 6 family members, and a good friend to this horrible disease, or go through the entire process with one of my best friends (hooray for her 3 years remission!), would I be so passionate about eradicating cancer. I honestly don’t know. One thing that a mentor told me when I was making a decision about my internship this past summer was to pick something that I was extremely passionate about – a topic that pisses me off so much that despite how daunting and overwhelming it may be, that you will never quit on it. I think that’s some pretty sound advice – but I would add that folks should make sure that you are genuine about it, and not only interested in a cause because it can stand to give you a little bit of fame and money. That mindset has never done shit for anybody, and never will.