Help Haiti? What about Help for the USA?
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A post by "J. Mal" To see more posts click here |
The conditions resulting from the recent earthquake in Haiti are nothing short of tragic. From what I’ve read and seen on TV, the people of that nation are currently struggling for even the most basic items. Disease is a huge risk to the entire population and the total number of sick, injured, or dead is sure to continue to grow in the weeks and months to come. This unexpected natural disaster imposed an insurmountable amount of damage and destruction upon an already deteriorating nation.
The silver lining? The world realized the gravity of the situation and sprang into action. Within the first week, millions of people had donated to this cause. Supplies and support personnel from all over the globe were en route to help ease the pain as much as possible. The world response was nothing short of heroic and inspiring to me. Despite mistakes being made, almost everyone I know contributed in some form.
In times of tragedy, the response like the one our private citizens showed is the type of action that helped create worldwide image of the United States as a beacon of hope. A nation of so many different people that knew what it meant to lend a hand to those in need. I’m proud that the world and specifically the people of the United States sprang into action to help Haiti.
Now, after making it clear that how we acted in response to relief effort was 100% the right thing to do, my main point of contention is this: Why must it take a tragedy for people to lend a hand on a massive scale?
The culmination of my frustration came when I was watching the MTV “Hope for Haiti Now” concert. It has been reported here that the event was able to raise nearly 60 million dollars.
My biggest issue with this whole nationally televised effort to help the people struggling, is why it takes a tragedy for people to mobilize and help those in need. Where was this concert for Haiti 3 months ago, when many of the same people were struggling for the exact same life essentials?
I know that celebrities and wealthy people donate to charities all the time, and most do not do it for the notoriety. I just wish these types of events happened more often, and the resources went to help the many people in our own country that are struggling to maintain the very same resources that the people of Haiti are living without. Make no mistake however, that the people of Haiti are a priority at the moment.
When people organize massive events with star power, aimed at raising money for those in need or for any worthy cause, it is amazing how much can be accomplished.
What do you think? Do we need more events like charity concerts throughout the year to help people of our own nation?
Just think if we did this type of event 5 times a year and put all the money raised to pay for people without health care.
Or what if we actually finished fixing the many problems in New Orleans as pointed out here by Seigle Seigle.
Food for thought… UDoTheDishes..
When I first read the title of this post, I was 100% ready to rage because I’ve seen so many people saying inappropriate, insulting, horrible things about people donating to Haiti relief rather than to the US. But I like this post a lot – donating to Haiti was the right thing, but donating to our own is the right thing too. ALL the time, not just in times of disaster. Thanks for writing it.
JMAL, I was ready to rage as well! I don’t think the title accurately describes what your point is…
What I will say is this: Haiti is an acute situation and all the other problems in our country and internationally are chronic. Just like when a person with a laceration gets preceded by a person with a gunshot, such is the case hear.
I love your spirit of growth and positive change, but the reality of human nature of some, is they really don’t do anything, until situations change from chronic to acute. And, for those of us that are forward thinking enough ,we are what keep the human race from totally falling by the wayside.
I have cried foul about the fact that the outpouring was initially tremendous and really refreshed my confidence in mankind, but my instincts lead me to believe that Haiti will be on the backburner like New Orleans at this time next year,…SMH
The Title was meant to provoke in order to have people read. A little reverse psychology if you will
Thanks for the feedback.
One thing that hits home to me as write a post like this, is to stop and ask myself… “What are you doing to help?”
I can do more. And I will do more. Even a broke joe like myself can find ways to help those in need. You don’t need to be a millionaire to give the homeless man on the corner a sandwich.
I think that although the issues in Haiti provoke a full independent conversation, the issue of coming together as a nation and its potential to drive purposeful achievement is a huge one. I was similarly overwhelmed with the amazing collaboration of people, both the average citizen and the famous celebrity. However, I can’t recall any kind of event in my lifetime that instigated such a union and joint effort by the American people. Haiti should not be short-handed in anyway, and it does rightfully deserve 100 percent of the world’s attention at the moment. But I hope that we can continue this kind of collaborative effort for issues within the country. I see so many issues that could be resolved through movements and joint efforts such as what has occurred for Haiti. For example, topics such as environmental preservation and Health Care, as John mentioned above. I think the biggest thing to take from this article and from the happenings for Haiti is to know that WE CAN, as Obama would say : )… it just takes coming together as a country for the bettering of a nation.
As for doing charity drives all the time preemptively, that is a bit like putting out a burning building before it catches fire.
Your comment implies that there are not any fires currently burning. I can think of many people in our country that could use a hand.
Nothing about what I mentioned had anything to do with preemption. It’s about not waiting for a huge disaster to address needs of hunger, lack of water and medical supplies, and shelter. There are plenty of people in our own country that lack those very same life essentials.