i think that the problem is that if we choose not to let it bother us, all the bad stuff going on won't affect us. For a lot of people, wars far away have no physical impact of them, a child starving in Africa has no impact on their lives, people being exploited doesn't affect them. And this may be a cynical point of view, but i think a lot more people would be protesting if it was about they themselves being hard done by. i don't see too many young protest singers in mainstream culture protesting on behalf of others. its often they are protesting for themselves, but it also happens to be an issue in other people's lives too.
I think many of us in western culture are so caught up in our problems we choose to ignore the plights of others who are much worse off. so is the question that we don't care enough anymore? Because if we don't care, how much impact will it have on you? For a lot of people, only a guilty conscience, which they will ignore as best they can.
but you know if anyone was screwing them over in even the smallest way, they'd be the first to moan and complain about it.
So to answer where are all the protest singers, and particularly the young ones, maybe they aren't bothered enogh to protest. And i know this doesn't apply to everyone, but a lot of people from my school went on the anti war marches not cos they were desperately against the war, but because they want to be some cool peace loving john lennon-esque hippy. Because lets face it, going on a march was quite a trendy place to be for a lot of young people, and their reasons for being there may not have been the best ones.
i'm not trying to say all young people are ignorant, uncaring idiots all caught up in themselves and their image, cos i'm 16 and i don't think i'm like that and i know many people who aren't either, but a fair few are and i think many children are growing up learning that they can get away without worrying about others, so they won't be protesting.

And i'm sorry it took such a long time to get that all out.