SEND US YOUR TAMPONS!!

[Little32]

I saw Wyclef's statement the other night, and it seems plausible to me that he put his own money into the organization to get it started. Not only has the mainstream media not been particularly concerned with the goings on in Haiti, but most Americans have not either--until now. I can see how his organization might have struggled to find financial support.

I agree though, now is an appropriate time to scrutinize all of these organizations, particularly the untested ones, to make sure that they are doing the work and using the funds as they said they would. Hopefully, even if Yele's money has been funny in the past, this added scrutiny will make sure that the millions that he has received in donations certainly ends up in the right place.

[DrPhil]

rant ahead/

There's so much disproportionate poverty going on in America and Haiti isn't even the poorest country in the world. So, as much as I want people to be socially conscious, I don't think it is collectively our "duty" to be concerned over every struggle for every group of people. Those who are willing to serve always have been serving and always will be serving. Who's to say what group of people receives "our" concern at any given time?

Sorry for the rant, but everywhere (literally, EVERYWHERE) I turn there are solicitations for donation and service regarding this. America gets blasted SO MUCH but that doesn't stop the America "haters" (hate that word) and commentors from knowing EXACTLY where to turn when they need something. Hmph.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

rant ahead/

There's so much disproportionate poverty going on in America and Haiti isn't even the poorest country in the world. So, as much as I want people to be socially conscious, I don't think it is collectively our "duty" to be concerned over every struggle for every group of people. Those who are willing to serve always have been serving and always will be serving. Who's to say what group of people receives "our" concern at any given time?

Sorry for the rant, but everywhere (literally, EVERYWHERE) I turn there are solicitations for donation and service regarding this. America gets blasted SO MUCH but that doesn't stop the America "haters" (hate that word) and commentors from knowing EXACTLY where to turn when they need something. Hmph.

Get out of my head!

[Little32]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

rant ahead/

There's so much disproportionate poverty going on in America and Haiti isn't even the poorest country in the world. So, as much as I want people to be socially conscious, I don't think it is collectively our "duty" to be concerned over every struggle for every group of people. Those who are willing to serve always have been serving and always will be serving. Who's to say what group of people receives "our" concern at any given time?

I don't think that anyone is saying this is a duty (though, I haven't been watching t. v. too much). But this is a time of extraordinary crisis and I think that people feel a great deal of compassion for the Haitians. If this moment also provides an opportunity for folks to learn things that they otherwise would not know about this nation, or perhaps a catalyst for more involvement on the international or local level, all the better.

@The bolded, I agree. I think that most of the people who feel compelled to take action in this cause are people that are probably working in their communities all the time. I would imagine that people that are generally indifferent to the need that they see in front of them every day would not be particularly moved by need several times removed from their immediate sphere.

To the rest: I don't guess the contemporary media (particularly most of those folks on any 24 hour news channels) has frequently been lauded for its ability to acknowledge either nuance or complexity. Do like I do; don't watch it.

<----news related rant free since 2008.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Little32

I don't think that anyone is saying this is a duty (though, I haven't been watching t. v. too much).

Actually I was listening to a news show this morning (granted not watching, but listening) and I heard the parents of some students that were missing in Haiti stating that the US HAS to send more rescue troops in, etc. I wonder if their children were not involved if they would feel the same.

Also other nations (France being one) are criticizing our response. So yes people do feel that it is the our duty to save Haiti.

As for not watching the news. I don't watch it that much, because I have a short attention span. But I would not recommend that folx not watch it, otherwise you miss a lot of what is going on around you. And I don't mean the events themselves, but rather the spins that are used by the media or whomever. IMO, that is important to know, because you learn a lot about how the real world works and thinks. And you never know when you may be in a position to need that knowledge. A small example is a newspaper headline. It is designed to draw in the reader. But then you get to the 2nd paragraph and realize it was misleading. If you don't read the article you don't know this, and you may base an opinion on false information.

[Little32]

So that was mostly a joke, in terms of the suggestion that others don't watch. Folks do what they want to do. We are all grown.

I do have a genuine and hearty dislike for most televised news though, particularly the 24 hours news channel variety, exactly because I find it to be mostly sensationalism, speculation, and spin without a whole lot of actual journalism. I tend to read or listen to my news, though there are a few news programs (generally public t. v.) that I do watch.

I will say that I have not been running into this sentiment that it is our "duty" everywhere I turn though. So....

ETA: Also, it seems to me that you and Phil are posting about two separate things. I read Phil's initial post as a rant about individual "duty" in this crisis (which is what I was responding to), while the examples that you provided were more about U. S. responsibility. But perhaps I misread.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Little32

ETA: Also, it seems to me that you and Phil are posting about two separate things. I read Phil's initial post as a rant about individual "duty" in this crisis (which is what I was responding to), while the examples that you provided were more about U. S. responsibility. But perhaps I misread.

If that is the case I am even more surprised that you say you haven't seen it expressed. Individual solicitations are everywhere and not just on the news. Hence the origin of this thread and not to mention FB.

And as Dr. Phil said, since we comprise America it trickles down to us as individuals.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

At the same time, what better time is there than after tragedy strikes and people are searching for (sometimes mindlessly) places to donate?

Originally Posted by Little32

I agree though, now is an appropriate time to scrutinize all of these organizations, particularly the untested ones, to make sure that they are doing the work and using the funds as they said they would. Hopefully, even if Yele's money has been funny in the past, this added scrutiny will make sure that the millions that he has received in donations certainly ends up in the right place.

I definitely agree with this.

People (on facebook mainly) have been offended and downright angry with me and other folks who question Yele Haiti. I don't know Yele from the man in the moon, so of course I will question it. Nicely, of course.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I definitely agree with this.

People (on facebook mainly) have been offended and downright angry with me and other folks who question Yele Haiti. I don't know Yele from the man in the moon, so of course I will question it. Nicely, of course.

Yep, I've had a few such discussions myself. I meant to tell you last night how right on you were.