Monday, February 1, 2010
Happy Monday!
Today is "Bloggers Unite For Haiti Day" - and I wanted to share a video with all of you. It features one of my best friend's father doing his thing in his mother country. His name is Dr. Rodrique Mortel, and he is a doctor and Haitian transplant to the United States. He gives new meaning to the saying, "To whom much is given, much is required." Check him and others out as they provide help to those in need:
As I watched the "Q&A" portion of the Miss America Pageant on Saturday,(shout out to Miss Virginia - the newly crowned Miss America) one question posed to a contestant was (and I'm paraphrasing) "Do you think we should help Haiti when we have so many problems of our own right here in the United States?"
I've heard this question asked a lot actually, and I think it's a ridiculous question. Sure, we have our own issues. But are people really suggesting that we shouldn't help a nation that is already one of the poorest, if not THE poorest, on the western hemisphere after such a devastating earthquake? Are we THAT heartless?
Yes, we have pockets of extreme poverty in our inner cities. Yes, we're in a recession. Yes, we still need to do more for the victims of Hurricane Katrina right here in our backyard. But despite a recession, the unemployment rate being at one of its highest ever, corporate greed, bailouts, and fighting 2 wars - the Unites States is still one of the most prosperous nations in the world.
Most of our citizens don't have to worry about where they can find clean water to drink, or a roof to cover their heads. We have clothes on our backs and we feel safe. Not ALL of us - but the majority of our citizens don't know anything like the struggles that Haitians have felt long BEFORE the earthquake...let alone since.
To whom much is given, much is required.
Most times we can't see past our own problems, our own struggles, and those of our families. But sometimes it's not all about us. Sometimes we have to look at our lives and realize just how many blessings we actually DO have. It's so easy to complain. But if you truly look at what you have in life, you'll always have more. If you only look at what you don't have in life, you'll never have enough.
Look at what is happening in Haiti, and then look at your life again - and then ask why we should help Haiti.
Silly question right?
Let's strive to look past the confines of our individualistic lives and see ourselves as part of a global community. Being a citizen of the world means simply that we are all interconnected. Having this mindset doesn't mean you have to empty your bank account to give a donation, or jump on a plane to dig through the rubble. It could mean giving $5 by texting 501501 to Yele, or 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross. It could mean giving some of your time to help gather clothing and supplies to ship overseas. Or it could simply mean sending up prayers as you climb into your warm beds at night.
Whether it's a tsunami that kills over 200,000 people in Asia, or a hurricane that drowns a city here at home - our first thoughts should be, "What can I do, how can I help?" We should exude a spirit of generosity, and not expect anything in return. Our reward is in helping our fellow man and doing His will.
On this the first day of Black History Month, I'm reminded of a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" I ask YOU - have you done all you can to help Haiti?
To whom much is given, much is required.
-b
21 comments:
first sexy bitches!!
FIRST, BITCHES!!!
That question is only brought up when it's something that white America deems to be questionable. You never hear the same people asking should we give for certain other charitable causes.
My 75 Cents.
DAMN YOU, FURY!!!
LMAO...naw, you got it, bruh. Dope blog, BTW - read it for the first time last week.
international aid and policy always comes into question by the homogenious. That's just an unfortunate norm. Minimum wage in Haiti is somewhere in the range of $2-4 a day. A Day! Most of us spend more than that just going to work.
to whom much is given...
BTW, Miss Virginia was given a lot in the ass area. My boy sent me a shot of her from behind in a dress...whoa! She should be a great diplomat and gimme some.
lmao thanks Circumstance. Funny how we posted at the exact same time. Excuse me while I duck Annamaria!
Its 91 degrees in PR right now & I just finished a nice big plate of arroz con pollo so I won't tase anyone!!! :)
How can anyone see people in need (no matter where they are at) and not want to help. I think its a beautiful site seeing a bunch of people coming together to help mankind...
Anywho I'm out to enjoy the warm weather. Stay cold ya'll back in NYC!!!
XOXO
I spelled sight wrong...damn the sun must be in my eye!!!
Annamaria is in PR, so she might not be paying attention :-)
Miss Virginia is very pretty, and she sang that song :) I always like watching the parents in the audience cheering their baby girls on - other than that, not much for beauty pageants. The only reason I watched is because my sister made me :-) Congrats to her!
oops, I spoke too soon - Annamaria caught you :) Have fun in PR!
It's amazing to me when I hear people ask if we should help Haiti, or even victims of Hurricane Katrina for that matter. I've actually heard people asking if we should help people in the Gulf coast - and they're AMERICANS!
Hate to say it, but it's a black/ white thing, like Rameer said. They viewed black people in our own country as outsiders who didn't need our help, so why should we expect more from them when it comes to Haiti?
I am glad however that we have a President who is unwavering in his support of Haiti, and that so many here and abroad have stepped up to help Haiti. The human spirit of generosity far outweighs the hate.
Great blog Brooke! Not much more to add, some people just don't care about people of color.
Your friend's father is doing great work, kudos to him. God bless him and I hope he comes home safe soon.
Miss America IS pretty, congrats to her!
And Fury, your blog is HOT!
You hit it right on the nose! I'm very serious about wanting to go to Haiti this year and help with relief efforts.
...If we should help?
That kills me, and Jay (to add to what you said) - to have my mother be called a "refugee" at the grocery store after Katrina didn't just insult me, it got me wondering about how she's a citizen, and gets that in her own country.
As for Haiti, to some extent, the West Indies is an extension of many of us as african-americans in this country.
For Haiti's natural resources, their people, and their land to be pillaged and plundered for centuries is a big reason why we should be willing to help.
America has certainly gained from their downfall. Its time we were sure to pitch in...
Dmoe
It pisses me off when I hear news anchors refer to Haitians as refugees, and it pissed me off even more to hear AMERICANS called refugees in New Orleans and other parts of the Gulf Coast. I can only imagine how you felt DMoe, and I'd definitely be insulted.
Not only are Haitians a part of our heritage as African Americans, they're a part of the HUMAN race, part of the global community just like B said. We should help just because it's the right thing to do.
You all have every right to be pissed. Just understand - MOST white people feel this way, be it subconscious or fully purposefully. This is due to the system and society we've grown up in.
Only those WILLING to acknowledge their f'd up mindset as taught and indoctrinated in them can WILLING to think differently can make the difference. Most don't even know their comments or mindsets have anything wrong with them at all.
Interesting read about white Americans thought process - by a white professor - if you have the time:
White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack
http://www.mvla.net/teachers/StevenK/American%20Lit%20H/Documents/Huckleberry_Finn_Unit_Materials/Invisible%20Knapsack%20of%20White%20Privilege.pdf
Thanks for the link, interesting article.
I'm late, but still read the blog and you're right Brooke. We should see ourselves as a human race, not just Americans or Haitians or whatever. We'll all need help one day, so we should be generous in giving it.
Tomorrow is TMI Tuesday right?? The first Tuesday of the month? I can't wait to see what have brewing for THAT!!!
I was hoping we could talk about the Grammys tomorrow - dammit! LOL!
Sorry Stef, but Jaz is right - it's TMI Tuesday tomorrow :-)
And speaking of Brewing, I was following Yolanda's blog last night for the Grammys, so you can talk about all the nonsense and performances on HER blog! lol
Some good stuff.
I'm all late... but thanks Jaz!
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