At any given time, there are a lot of million-dollar luxury charter boats cruising around the Mentawai Islands finding the most incredible waves. And yet the people on shore are suffering. The whole scene is wrong. As a surf community, we have to do something.
Interpretation
Wealth and privilege can exist alongside suffering, urging the community to take action.
In this quote, Rob Machado highlights the stark contrast between the lavish lifestyles of those aboard luxury charter boats and the struggles faced by people onshore in the Mentawai Islands. He emphasizes the responsibility of the surf community to acknowledge this disparity and to actively work towards making a positive change, suggesting that enjoying luxury comes with an ethical obligation to support those in need.
In practice
In a speech about social responsibility during a surf competition.
Ojibwe prophecy speaks of a time during the seventh fire when our people will have a choice between two paths. The first path is well-worn and scorched. The second path is new and green. It is our choice as communities and as individuals how we will proceed.
Always be open to new beginnings. To the universe, every moment is the start of the next big thing in your life.
The United States was born in revolution and nurtured by struggle. Throughout our history, the American people have befriended and supported all those who seek independence and a better way of life.
Aging is not "lost youth" but a new stage of opportunity and strength.
The most positive action we can take about the past is to change our perception of it.
Companies could step up to the plate time and time again and help out by cleaning up a groundwater system that's contaminated, being more transparent with the community when they have a problem, respecting that community, getting them out of harm's way.
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