Postcolonialism: the aftermath of the system put in place when representatives from a wealthy country find a different country, move in, change things around, exploit people and resources, then decide it’s time to leave or are kicked out. Economic, social, religious, racial upheaval.

Whose problem is it? To whom are reparations owed? How to fix a system that was corrupt to begin with and has become more so?

Honestly, whoever went in in the first place ought to clean up their own mess. But that’s not really possible… and the United States has, in many cases, profited from the systems left in place by other nations, usually Britain. How to fix the problems? A lot of money and a lot of aid and a lot of effort. Thinking about who lives in that country and what they need and want, versus what we want them to have.

In Africa, AIDS efforts that aren’t just about abstinence (because don’t we all know by now that people aren’t going to stop having sex just cause some president tells them to?). Hunger relief. Health care. Education on ways to avoid AIDS. (In many African countries, I’ve been told, men believe they can rid themselves of AIDS by sleeping with a virgin girl — usually a teenager.) Assistance with local businesses and farming. Help with government strengthening. Clean water. And all of this somehow protected from rebel groups seizing it.

The fine line we would have to walk is the line between aid and colonizing, between helping and preaching. Of course, that’s assuming anyone cares enough to start helping. Anyone? Anyone?