A couple of days ago, someone I know (an acquaintance, foremost) posted this on facebook:
Shame on you America: the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment – yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations. 99% of people won’t have the guts to copy and repost this..
Then this same person left this as a comment:
and don’t forget our economy!
And it made me feel sick to my stomach.
Ok. I get that America isn’t doing that well at the moment, but I don’t understand how such a statement can be made during a crisis caused by natural disasters to a country that lives far below the means of Americans.
Yes, we have homeless people.
Yes, we have starving peopple.
Yes, we have untreated ill.
And yes, we should not turn our back on them. But at the same time, how can we not, AS HUMAN BEINGS, reach out to an impoverished country that has suffered two forms of natural disasters in a few years time. They had devastating damage from hurricanes, and a powerful 7.0 earthquake, followed by at least 2 aftershocks. There are people currently buried under rubble. Children separated from their parents, not knowing if the other are still alive or dead. Starving people who have probably been starving well before the earthquakes struck. Thousands awaiting medical care, while living outdoors. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LOST LIVES.
How, can we worry about our economy when human life is at stake.
I’m just flabbergasted by those comments. (And the fact that people actually “liked” it on facebook.) How is it something that Americans should be ashamed about? Because TV networks were all airing a telethon? Because this money isn’t going to getting Americans out of debt?
Just because we had a telethon, doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ve turned our backs on ourselves. It’s because there is a crisis, and immediate crisis, that needs attention. Haiti alone would not have the resources it needs to save those affected.
As someone living in America, living in a house that still stands, with an income that allows me to buy the food that I want and the clothes that I need … I don’t see how I can see the wrong in helping out Haiti. In fact, because I am living a comfortable life, I feel like I SHOULD reach out to those who don’t have the means. Who are living during a disaster, or fighting to survive a disaster.
When the typhoon hit the Philippines a couple of months ago, it really hit home. Literally. I had families that LOST THEIR HOMES. Who have to start from nothing to rebuild a life that was already difficult. Living in a 3rd world country is not easy, but to see all that you have wash away, especially because of an unbeatable natural disaster, is something that will make you lose all hope in everything. What those who have been affected need is help.
It is a sad state that it takes a huge disaster for people to raise money. And yes, for that we should take a step back and re-evaluate when we reach out to others—natural disasters or not. But at the same time, I don’t think American should feel ashamed for reaching out to a country that needs help.
(And who is to say that people have forgotten about those in need here? Maybe we don’t raise millions of dollars as quickly, but there are programs that exist here that are trying to get these things done. Meanwhile, in Haiti, they simply don’t have the manpower right now to aid with the earthquake without having to reach out. Again, they were living in poverty BEFORE the earthquakes.)
Maybe instead of complaining about a cross-network telethon, you should instead focus your efforts on the issues that you believe need our attention. Instead of having people copy/paste a bit of condemnation over something as insignificant as facebook, why don’t you take that energy and DO something about the homeless here in America. DO something about the starving. DO something about the mentally ill. If you believe that Americans should now turn their attention to these issues, THAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, rather than to place “shame” on those who decided to give what they can to people who, ALSO, need assistance.
I feel extremely, EXTREMELY, lucky to be living in America. I know, it’s not perfect right now, but if my problems are that the banks are not giving out loans as easily as they used to, or that we’re suffering a housing crisis … count me lucky. Because I think that’s an easier thing to go through than to wonder if my parents are gone forever or could potentially be alive, but under tons of cement. Or if my cousins are seriously hurt, and on the verge of death. Or if a friend’s life could be spared, if only they had the medical aid they need.
It is easier to get help in America, than it is in a country where help is hard to find to begin with. It’s not a matter of helping Americans over Haitians. It’s a matter of helping life. Human life. Period.
clintonbushhaitifund.org
hopeforhaitinow.org
redcross.org
1-877-99-HAITI
GIVE to 50555 to make a $10 donation (US only)
Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross Haiti relief
Edit [1/26/10] One more thing that I forgot to mention, we are NOT the only country that has needy people that helped out Haiti. China was one of the first countries to step up to help.