For many people in Bangladesh, “poverty” is a bad word – it’s the “P” word if you will. You’re not supposed to bring up the “P” word.
How bad is it to use the “P” word? Well, I was recently met a Bangladeshi (now living America) entrepreneur who is starting up a tourism business to experience Bangladesh in a new and unique way. I had originally met her to do a video and/or blog post about her work, but unfortunately that ultimately fell through. The reason? Because, if I was going to write or make a video about her or her work, I wouldn’t be permitted to use the “P” word. Instead, I was encouraged to use “alternative” words like “building wealth” or “producing sustainability”. Since when did newspeak come to Bangladesh?
In fact, when I told her about what I’m doing in Bangladesh and the nature of my work – she balked. “There’s nothing inspiring that” she said told me. Bangladesh, she explained, shouldn’t be portrayed as a “poor” country in need of aid and/or charity. In her defense, she was a very cheerful and positive-minded person who (like me) shares my hope for a Bangladesh free from poverty. This isn’t the first time I’ve talked about the Bangladeshi community criticizing me for me work or for the fact I speak aloud about Bangladesh and poverty. In fact, some of the harshest criticism comes from my own family. Many Bangladeshis can’t seem to fathom why my desire to try and alleviate poverty brought me to Bangladesh.
There is one Bangladeshi who I know wouldn’t question my work…. but he’s dead now. In fact, my grandmother just helped bury him.
More after the jump. Readers beware – I make excessive use of the “P” word.
Continue reading ‘Poverty in Bangladesh: The Story of Being Too Poor to Be Buried’
