Free...Tibet?

Makes me wonder how far I should go. Just watched a movie (...? documentary?) on the Tibet situation. I won't lie...I have not gone out of my way to learn more about Tibet, expressly because I feel helpless. I try not to really hound any information pertaining to the numerous (or is it the neverending?) insanities of this world. Because I feel like a coward for not doing anything once I am aware of what's going on...

So here I am. All properly informed and what not. So now what? I get to sit back, listen to my Zune (TM, of course!) and gorge myself silly on organic food, all while sipping some classy Jasmine tea... What the fuck? I am not politically motivated (though I suspect when I am done with the wiles of youth I shall become such)...I'm not militant (though my stature limits me more than anything)...and though I'm intelligent, I have no desire to battle what would appear to be an already won conquest. What can I do? Is there anything for me to DO? Or is it the American verbal fixation to spew out the words "I want to help you"?

How does one decide upon which battles to fight? Perhaps, I've already answered this question for myself. When I did my study abroad I realized that I can not fully comprehend the scope of another person's world without first being exposed to it. Why is this relevant? Because if I am unaware of their perspective, what good am I (if I'm of any use to begin with...gotta knock down the ego just a tad)? A friend was telling me about a book...this guy fell in love with this romote village (I'll let you pick whichever 3rd world you think is suitable) and befriended the locals there. He left, raised a ton of money, and built them a school. The village lacked this resource. But, they had no need, use, or desire for such. What they really needed was a bridge to get them across a river that often flooded. Bridge first, then a school might be of use. Moral is, having the heart and passion to help another person(s) really does not matter if your energy is misdirected. Therefore, knowing their perspective can improve your chances of being useful.

Now, here's the thing. Is my stance of getting motivated and helping cultures/people's whom have expressed a need/asked for help and who I have visited their landscape legitimate? Or is it a rationalization for being another lazy and apathetic individual? I can easily convince myself that there is nothing I can do but live my life and be as content as I see myself worthy of being. But then I get to thinking...what about all of those crazy awesome intense characters from history? You know, the ones that did SHIT. They didn't fall back on thier riches, or only better their own lives. Nah, they kicked butt. They decided that no matter what, as many people as possible deserved to live better. Perhaps it's a personality trait (foolish bravery...). Or perhaps it's something which gnaws at a person enough to get them to move.

Maybe I should just act inaccordance with that which I see myself most capable of doing? Sooo...spread the word and hope that it inspires someone with the necessary persona...hi?

-contemplating that which already has been thought on