Why does it take an earthquake to move us?
Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Staff editorial
Ever since the massive earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12, the public outcry for support has been phenomenal, including celebrity phone-a-thons, special text messaging services and scrolling advertisements across television screens during "Grey's" and "Iron Chef America." At High Point University, fundraisers have been held and groups have been formed focused specifically on donating to the cause. It seems like everyone is concerned with the well being of the Haitians in this time of need.
But where was the surge of support on the eleventh? Or the tenth? Or every day before that? Haiti has been one of the most economically disadvantaged countries in the world, but nobody was talking about it before. No one cared when they had poorly constructed houses and underfunded hospitals, but now that it's all gone, everyone wants to help?
Where was the concern for Haiti during the 2004 rebellion during which "The Cannibal Army" terrorized its opponents by burning down their homes, or setting the people themselves on fire? Where is the concern for the nine-year-old children in Uganda who are kidnapped from their own homes and forced to fight in Joseph Kony's army? And the 13-year-old girls in Indonesia who are sold into forced prostitution and lives of sexually slavery for tourists to the area (60 percent of the "customers" are reported to be American businessmen, by the way).
The issue isn't that people are talking about the problem and trying to help. People should be concerned with the well being of fellow human beings, and the support of Haiti during this time is commendable. But why does it take a tragedy to help the unfortunate? When Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans, everyone was up in arms. However, people soon got bored with the cause and moved on to other concerns. Many parts of that region are still in turmoil, but it's not "trendy" to care about Katrina anymore. Haiti is now the hip new charity, and everyone is on the bandwagon. Until something else comes along at least.
But where was the surge of support on the eleventh? Or the tenth? Or every day before that? Haiti has been one of the most economically disadvantaged countries in the world, but nobody was talking about it before. No one cared when they had poorly constructed houses and underfunded hospitals, but now that it's all gone, everyone wants to help?
Where was the concern for Haiti during the 2004 rebellion during which "The Cannibal Army" terrorized its opponents by burning down their homes, or setting the people themselves on fire? Where is the concern for the nine-year-old children in Uganda who are kidnapped from their own homes and forced to fight in Joseph Kony's army? And the 13-year-old girls in Indonesia who are sold into forced prostitution and lives of sexually slavery for tourists to the area (60 percent of the "customers" are reported to be American businessmen, by the way).
The issue isn't that people are talking about the problem and trying to help. People should be concerned with the well being of fellow human beings, and the support of Haiti during this time is commendable. But why does it take a tragedy to help the unfortunate? When Hurricane Katrina flooded New Orleans, everyone was up in arms. However, people soon got bored with the cause and moved on to other concerns. Many parts of that region are still in turmoil, but it's not "trendy" to care about Katrina anymore. Haiti is now the hip new charity, and everyone is on the bandwagon. Until something else comes along at least.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Laken
posted 2/15/10 @ 3:01 PM EST
In response to the editorial "Why does it take an earthquake to move us?"
I'm writing to commend the editors on writing this editorial mostly because of the editors focus on students facebook usage in regards to Haiti relief efforts. (Continued…)
Caroline
posted 2/15/10 @ 3:07 PM EST
I am writing in response to the editorial titled "Why does it take an earthquake to move us."
I found this editorial to be very offensive, and discourging. (Continued…)
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