"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."
I was dumbfounded. I didn't know where to start to pick this message apart. First, this occurs in practically every country. There is a level of poverty, whether it be great or small, in all nations, even communist countries. Secondly, the poverty level in the United States is roughly 13%, give or take a percent or two, depending upon the region of the country you live in. Haiti, prior to the earthquake, was at a poverty rate of over 60%. It was the poorest nation, by far, in the Western Hemisphere. Add to it a magnitude 7.1 earthquake, killing upwards of 200,000 people, and leaving over a third of the population, or roughly 3 million people, homeless.
My friend explained those points to this woman that posted the message. She received the following response:
To me I don't care any time something happens here no one comes and help us be we are the 1st to help other. We need to help our own people before we help others!!! And all we are doing by helping them is putting our country into more debt!!
At what point did the Hope For Haiti telethon put our nation into more debt? Was it government backed or funded. Did the Federal government agree to match donations dollar for dollar like the Canadian government did? (Classy move BTW)
When the World Trade Center fell, dozens of countries offered aid, but were all refused. We had the manpower and the resources to take care of our own. When the airports were shut down, people opened up their homes to take in Americans, so they wouldn't have to sleep in airport terminals for days. 2,752 people lost their lives on 9/11.
Here is something that you may not know. When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, 98 countries and 11 International Aid organizations pledged humanitarian aid, including $854 million in funds(yes cash), of which, $40 million was used. Hurricane Katrina claimed 1,836 lives.
The U.S. has not seen a disaster anywhere near the scale of what Haiti has witnessed. Imagine Katrina multiplied by 100. Imagine the city you live in...gone.
This last message really got me:
and I have the power to NOT use any of my funds to help the people of Haiti!!! I understand what happend to them is bad, but I also know that peoplehere at home are just as hard up for money, food, water, and a roof over their head!!! And that is all thanks to the down falls the came after 9/11.
9/11 happened almost nine years ago. Don't tell me people are still blaming the economy on that! Last time I checked, the economy had a nice upswing, then we hit a recession, but that had nothing to do that day back in 2001. The economy bounced back from that in 2002. And I would be willing to say that people aren't as "hard up" as the Haitians for food and water. Latest reports from the country are saying that groups of armed men are storming orphanages. They threaten to kill all of the children on the property unless they are given the food and the water that has been set aside for the kids. I must say, food stamps and unemployment checks sound so much worse.
I honestly don't know if this is a case of apathy or ignorance. It sounds like she is getting her information second hand, likely reposting something that she read from someone that reposted it themselves. It doesn't seem like they're politically active. If they get their news, it's more than likely from Rush Limbaugh than Rachel Maddow. Sure, I'm making generalizations here, but it's hard not to. On the surface, you picture a Nascar loving, tobacco chewin', Toby Keith fan. If it's not a bunch of white, working class Americans that need help, then they're not worth helping. "So, the world just lost a quarter of a million black people. Not my problem."
Well, it's mine. The nation of Haiti can't take care of themselves. Without our money or our assistance, we would be leaving nine million innocent people to die. Their blood will not be on my hands.
www.hopeforhaitinow.org to donate. Thank you.
