What happened in Haiti is an absolute tragedy - and there really are no answers. I've heard some religious freaks say that God did it to Haiti, so they must have deserved it. Funny, every picture I've seen of the devastation is of innocent people, mostly children (because that's what makes powerful news stories - let's show children in pain to guilt people into helping), and I'm quite sure they did nothing to inflict the wrath of God, or whatever supreme being you believe (or don't believe) in to cause mass destruction. You see it all over Facebook and Twitter (which I have, but never use, because I just don't like it). People with their opinions, and the major backlash I see now is "Why help Haiti when we're in trouble?"
I will be the first to admit it. Americans are a little jaded, and somewhat spoiled, but with that being said, I can't help Haiti right now. My wife got into a heated discussion thread on Facebook with someone she DOESN'T EVEN KNOW, who basically called her heartless for saying that we all shouldn't just drop what we're doing and everyone needs to help Haiti. There are people in the US of A, the "Land of Opportunity" that are homeless, hungry, and can not receive medical assistance. A person very close to me has not had medical insurance for as long as I can remember, and due to diabetes and high blood pressure, is faced with the very grim reality of losing her eyesight. She describes her eyesight right now as "trying to look around scattered pieces of black tape that seem to be stuck to my eyes that I can't remove." Where is the outcry to help her? The sad reality is that this woman, in due time, will probably not be able to see her eight grandchildren's faces because of this. Yet, nobody is offering to help her. Disability applications take nearly six months to process, and oh by the way, her husband was laid off a few months ago, so neither of them are able to work (he has a chronic bad back and just a few years ago had surgery to help alleviate excruciating leg pain - his employer provided health insurance for him, but not her.)
If you are affluent, or in any way financially comfortable, and you make the PERSONAL decision to help out Haiti by sending your money there, I will not begrudge your decision - as long as it is heartfelt. I see these telethons that are thrown together where performers "volunteer" their time (except for the "appearance fee" that they all invariably charge - hell, even the bottom feeders on "Jersey Shore" won't even show up for dinner at their parents' houses without some form of compensation). If you feel like donating to Haiti, and can comfortably do it, by all means, do whatever makes you feel worthwhile. As for me, I'm not sending you my rent payment to build you a house just so I can lose mine. My children have to take priority over the sad pictures the news constantly shoves at us.
I implore everyone though to look in your own backyard first though. Our country is in bad shape - and no matter WHO is President, it's not going to be a quick fix. If you have disposable income, try donating it to help your neighbor, whose last name you probably don't even know, that may have to depend on a Meals on Wheels delivery in order to eat. Charity begins at home - a lesson we all seem to forget.
The fact that my wife got into a diatribe that started to turn slightly vicious before she took the high road and walked away tells me something. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion - but because my opinion is different than yours, personal attacks are OK at that point? Well, if you hit my dog, I will kick your cat. Freedom of speech unfortunately begets freedom of stupidity, freedom of personal attack, and freedom of hate. That's pretty sad. That's why I respect and try to honor our military personnel, who VOLUNTEER to defend everyone's right to be loud and to state their opinions. These same men and women who are now off to Haiti to help out... and the circle continues.
What do you think? Comment here or on Facebook.
I agree that there is so much right in our back yard and our own families that need help. I think it is great that people do voulenterr thier $ and resources to help but I do not feel any one should be attacked for not being able to. Yes my prayers and thoughs pour out for them. Our society is a messed up one. The preach that we are the land of free speech, equal rights, and oppertunity. Yet if you voice anything anything out of the "norm" you are chastized, Gay coupls can not marry or be covered by many insurances so there goes equal rights and 1000 of people are unemployment so there is no oppertunities... So are we just a society of empty words and promises? Sorry i went a little off topic- your niece Jenn
ReplyDeleteHi Bill! The more I read about Haiti, the more I realize that we have problems here as well. My husband and I are expecting a baby in June, and we are both under-employed and barely making ends meet as it is. I can't give money to Haiti.
ReplyDeleteI also applaud the folks who are lining up to adopt Haitian orphans, but we have a lot of orphans right here that need loving homes, too.
My hubby and I (it still is weird to call someone my husband, so I'm sure its weird for u to read that) were having this conversation the other night because I feel like such a heartless bitch because I really don't feel like we should drop everything for Haiti. Yes they had a devastating thing happen to them, but there are STILL people who are homeless after Katrina. Why don't we deal with our own issues first. Yes, I think we should have helped Haiti in the aftermath with some humanitarian efforts, but I don't think we should become all about them. It happened, it's terrible, we give them some relief, and we go on with helping our own (which we don't do).
ReplyDeleteIt really infuriates me how we have to be the saviors of everyone ELSE... charity is supposed to start at home - ape