Hangovers. Typically, a hangover is the direct result of saying ‘yes’ too many times on a given night. I haven’t had a hangover in well over 600 days, and I can say that while I miss the momentary escapes that alcohol and narcotics offer, I don’t miss the hangovers.

The Winter Games in Sochi are well underway, and while medals are being awarded, I can’t help but think of the hangover waiting in the wings. This looming hangover is not the result of too many drinks. Gatorade and painkillers will not remedy this hangover, because this hangover isn’t physical at all.

As a human, I want to be critical of the Russian government’s lack of humanity. I’m free to say what I want. I’m free to tell you that there are over 600 migrant workers that built the Olympic venues at Sochi that still haven’t been paid. I’m free to report that those same workers are victims of a long list of human rights violations at the hands of the companies they worked for. These workers have legitimate complaints. As humans, it is reasonable to expect that when hired to work away from home, adequate housing and meals will be provided.  It is also reasonable to expect to be compensated for overtime hours. Yet, still, there are close to 700 migrant workers who have been denied these reasonable demands.

The situation is made worse due to the fact that the Russian government has been more than happy to overlook all of these complaints. Fortunately, the International Olympic Committee is currently pressuring the Russian government to act in a timely manner to at least pay these migrant workers.

Certainly, things aren’t great in Russia. But what of workers here in America? America’s history of exploiting migrant workers and the current minimum wage scenario help to illustrate a rather alarming truth. Worker’s rights here are still, well, under review. The minimum wage will not cover the cost of basic living, yet it has been deemed acceptable. In fact, most workers earning minimum wage live well below the poverty line.

I won’t be pointing fingers at Russia, because the very same corruption that led to the exploitation of migrant workers in Russia is present here. The corruption is fueled by a very human quality. The problem is that humans are a rather selfish species. I’m guilty. You’re guilty.  But there isn’t much talk of that because, again, as humans, it’s much easier to ignore that which is unpleasant. It’s much easier to point fingers at others and bask in the overabundant doses of nationalism that have been served.

I want to criticize the Russian government, but I won’t, because as an American, I see that there is still a great need for an overhauling of worker’s rights here. The hangover is real, and now is a great time to piece together last night, humans.

mmacdonald@mavs.coloradomesa.edu