Hurricane Katrina Vs. The Haitian Earthquake

In the red corner, killing an impressive 1, 500 people, causing 8.1 billion dollars in damages and leaving thousands more displaced 4 years after it hit...is the hurricane of hurricanes, Ms. Katrina. And in the blue corner, ranking a 7.0 on the Richter scale and leaving more than 3 million people in need of emergency assistance is what is being called the greatest disaster in Haiti's history, the Haitian Earthquake. Now what is the major difference between these two catastrophes? Well, both have caused significant damage to the lands they hit. And of course, both have resulted in billions of dollars of fiscal damage. And probably most importantly, both events have significantly changed the lives of all those involved. So what, do you ask, is the big thing that separates these two tragedies.

It can be summed up in one word:

RESPONSE

I swear, I heard about the Haitian earthquake before some Haitians heard about it. The news coverage was so dead on. One minute, I am checking my Facebook account(which I do at least three times a day). The next, I am getting bombarded with links from ABC, MSN and every other rinky-dink news station out there, depicting in graphic detail the tragedy. Soon, it was "Text ***** to _____and $10 will be donated to the Haitian relief fund." Or, "Please send toiletries and canned goods to _____." Even major radio stations were urging people to "do something to help the Haitian population." And let's not get started on the star-studded concert benefit shows put on to raise money.

PUH-LEESE.

I'm all for helping my fellow man and all that jazz. But how on God's green earth, do I, as an American; justify the outpouring of support that seems to have come from all directions to Haiti, when the victims of Hurricane Katrina are still living in trailers. I do not ever remember such a strong showing of support and assistance when we had our tragedy. No Haitians were wiring money to the U.S(not that they had the means, but still, it's the principal) to help flood evacuees. There were no cell phone numbers to call and donate funds. The benefit concerts came late as did the telethons.

Perhaps, because we are America, land of the free and the home of the brave, people believe we are not susceptible to hurt and downfall. I'm pretty sure the events of 9/11 disproved that notion. We, as a nation, are just as vulnerable to the ways of fate of circumstance as any other country. Were we just supposed to suck it up and nurse our own wounds? Understandably, we do have a much better(or at least smarter) president now than we did when Hurricane Katrina hit. But damn, have we put the Katrina victims out of our thoughts? Let this new tragedy eclipse an old one?

I guess what I'm saying is, "I still wonder why so little was done for Katrina evacuees." Seeing so much attention and energy being poured into another country's problem, simply spotlights how greatly our government failed its people. We were happy to go to war and die, supposedly for our country. But we were much less willing to help preserve the lives of those on our shores, who faced imminent danger. Yet, in the same breath, the U.S is quick to put a Superman "S" on its chest and go charging in to "save" Haiti. For international acclaim? Global recognition? That, I cannot be sure of. But what I am sure of, is that it's a crying shame, when you care for more for your neighborhood across the pond; than the one living right next door. I am in no way, shape or form advising people not to support or care for the situation in Haiti. I am simply asking that people not forget those who are still putting the pieces of their lives together. Looking at the picture in a more optimist light...perhaps, by helping the earthquake survivors(whose sentiments echo that of Katrina survivors), our government may in some way redeem itself.

We shall see.

Are You there People, It's me...God.

Let me first start this blog by saying, "My heart goes out the victims of the earthquake disaster in Haiti. I sincerely hope that all is being done to aid them in their time of need." Now, with that being said...let me get directly to the point. I am baffled, bamboozled and geniunely puzzled. But above all, I am pissed with a capital "P". Can someone help me out here? I just can't seem to understand why it takes yet another tragic situation to get people moving and giving. It appears the human race can only be shaken from the blanket of its personal selfishness in the wake of a catastrophe. Let's get one thing clear, Haitians were in a bad way before the earthquake hit.
For years, the country has faced political unrest, poor health care conditions and numerous other unpleasantries. S0, let's not act like they were simply dandy before January 12th, 2010(the day the earthquake occurred). Yet, that is the only time the world took notice. If it had not been for Mother Nature having a hissy fit in Haiti, the U.S would still have its main focus on the latest release of New Moon.
So often we(specifically speaking in reference to Americans and other so called "third world" countries) get caught up in the insignificant issues that surround us and turn a blind eye to the critical ones. It's like families that only come together when a member dies, only to disperse once the funeral is over. Plainly put, it...it's a damn shame. I'd wager to bet, that most people couldn't point out Haiti on a simple map. We must begin to look around and not only see others around us, but...examine. Not only examine but understand. And finally not only understand but come to fully appreciate the many diverse cultures of the world. Only then can we look in the mirror and be alright with ourselves. And don't think that just because you texted 555 to some random number, that charged you ten bucks, that you've done your good deed for the day. Most of us are so caught up in our own grossly materialistic lives, that it would take many more texts than we could possibly send. Hmm, Idk...makes me wonder if God sometimes allows these tragedies to happen as a way of saying, "Don't forget...you are still your brother's keeper."

She's Gonna Blow...

Money that is. That lovely green thing our economy seems to fixate or at the very least depend upon. Today, as I was browsing around an Asian-owned hair store looking at an array of goodies(fake ugg boots, deep wave human hair, hello kitty necklaces), I began to wonder about my own spending habits. Before coming to the counter, I'd mentally calculated what my final bill would look like. Needless to say, I spent well over what I intended. And when the polite salesclerk asked, "The total is $48.02. Will that be all?" I had to look down to make sure my jaw wasn't indeed, lying on the floor at my feet. What in the world did I buy? Surely, a couple packs of (synthetic) hair, some conditioner, a can of hair gel, and some eyeshadow palettes couldn't be worth nearly fifty bucks! My reciept seemed to disagree with me. What happened to the days of frivolous money spending; that I had eagerly enjoyed in my youth? Being able to say, "I want that" without having to check a price tag first? Before I had a Chase bank account, there was my frequent use of my ASM(Automatically Sarah's Money) aka my mother. Gosh, did she come in handy. It seems that ever since I entered the "adult world" and took on real-world responsibilites, my get-it-and-go method of shopping is a thing of the past. Apparently, being a "grown-up" really translates into, "You're paying for your own crap now, buddy." From my rent payments to having to fill up my gas tank(ever other day), it seems like everything costs money. Even the seemingly insignificant aspects of my life come with a price; oh yea, you'd better believe I am paying for the internet service that is allowing me to write this very blog. Financial times and hardships like these are what, I believe, lead poor, backwards Anna Nicole to marry a millionaire with one foot in the grave. As the old saying goes, "If you can't beat'em...join'em." Anyone know any single millionaires with a soft spot for poor college girls with semi-dangerous shopping addictions?