International aid is often framed as a binary: givers and receivers. This view reduces recipients to passive help seekers by ignoring their rich cultural and historical backgrounds. As more aid flows around the world, these cultural heritages are increasingly overshadowed, causing genuine needs to be misinterpreted as cultural inferiority.

The LP record of the single "Do They Know It's Christmas?"

Photo: Amazon (amazon.com)

The Problem of Binary Thinking 

What is concerning is the way we categorize the people on this planet into two subjects, those who can afford to help others and those who seek help from others. The downside of this view lies in the fact that the latter are, for the most part, perceived merely as help seekers.

In this process, all the cultural and historical backgrounds of the aid are neglected. The irony here is that the more we help them, the more we tend to sidestep their abundant heritage. We try to justify the act of giving them a hand by downgrading who they are.

How Aid Erases Cultural Diversity and People's Dignity

This could lead to devastating consequences: erasing their dignity and replacing it with the notion of a less developed civilization. Without hearing their voices, we view them through the lenses of the Western perspective that suggests all relief recipients lack a prosperous culture and history.

 

The opinion article from the Los Angeles Times written by Elias Wondimu is a clear example. It stated that the single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” from the 1985 Live Aid concert downplayed the Ethiopian heritage. In the article, the song failed to acknowledge that most Ethiopians are Christians, meaning that they have been familiar with Christmas, whether in 1985 or 2025.

Nevertheless, the song's title incorrectly asserts that Ethiopians have no knowledge of this globally celebrated holiday, reflecting a Western-centric perspective towards the African nations. The same goes for the Native Americans. We have carelessly labeled them “Indians”, even though they have no connection with the South Asian nation.

They Hold More Than We Choose to See

What we do not know is that they, too, had a thriving culture as rich as any other civilization.

The exhibition at the National Museum of Korea last year, “Cultures and Histories of Indigenous People in North America,” was a good example of showcasing ample aspects of their culture. It showed how diverse the cultures are even within the concept of what we call Native Americans as a whole.

Contrary to the stereotype that Native Americans were monolithic, each tribe had its own distinct housing, arts, clothing, and all other aspects of tradition. On top of that, Native Americans were often armed with firearms, which contradicts their frequent portrayal in the media as fighting only with spears and bows against gun-wielding Western settlers.

Although they eventually had to cede their land to new invaders, Native Americans were not as powerless as we often assume. In fact, they even won some battles—one of the most notable being the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Recognizing these often-overlooked truths is the first step toward restoring a more accurate and respectful understanding of the people whose stories have long been told from only one side. By acknowledging their resilience and cultural richness, we are not only able to correct historical misconceptions but also honor the dignity they have always deserved.

Moreover, recognition alone is not enough. It must be followed by a conscious effort to listen to these communities' own voices, support their self-representation, and reject narratives that reduce them to mere recipients of aid. Educational institutions, media outlets, and humanitarian organizations all bear a responsibility to present a fuller, more nuanced picture—one that respects cultural integrity as much as it addresses material needs.

Ultimately, true solidarity lies not in assuming the role of savior, but in standing alongside others with humility, mutual respect, and a willingness to learn. Only then can global compassion be truly just and inclusive enough to embrace the histories and identities it seeks to protect.