As I mark the second anniversary of Global Editorial, it's unfortunate that we've come full circle. Every year humans do their utmost to make vultures seem angelic in comparison. Here's my September 1, 2015 thoughts about glorifying tragedy.
https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2015/09/societys-overindulgence-in-exploiting.html
Two years later humans are still getting high on other people's misery, the recent Hurricane Harvey coverage is an example. It's time we discuss another sadist human addiction: disaster discrimination. Disasters are not all equally covered, sadly, countless Africans dying from famine doesn't have the same fascination as a dog being swept away in an American city. Houston's plight has gained the world's attention, but it shouldn't be to the detriment of other catastrophes. I'm sure the locals would agree, don't just single us out! Once you start playing favorites, you confirm the ugly secret that humans are awful creatures.
Does anyone remember the floods of Gujarat, India? Let me refresh your memory, it took place between June-July, 2017. (Okay, I'll give you a second to do a google search). 224 people perished and the media was all-over it with radio silence. It's always hilarious when Americans whinge about not being number one, when the world usually puts everything American to the top of the queue, see Donnie, America is still worshiped. All human tragedy deserves equal coverage, you can't just pick and choose which humans deserve sympathy based simply on chance. If America is the leader of the free world, then maybe Americans can get out their passports/wallets and help out their fellow humans in Gujarat.
Whenever you get caught up in sensationalist coverage of a disaster, take a step back and remember not to lose sight of the fact that many of the world's impoverished are being blatantly ignored. Even better, switch off your TV/computers and get on the next flight to a place that you're told to be scared of and actually help your fellow human. I'll reiterate Global Editorials preface: life is a lottery, we don't choose where we take our first breath. Keep that in mind when you roll your eyes at a Muslim family being bombed by American drones, but get all hot an bothered when a dog goes missing in your neighborhood.
Ask yourself a simple question: is a child being drowned in the country of your citizenship more important than one in a foreign country? If you answered no, then congratulations, you have a bleeding heart. Now use it to pressure your community to care about all disasters, not just ones that reside inside your bubble. Without preconditions, don't just help cause you want to convert someone to your cause, religion, I'm looking at your hypocrisy of compassion with caveats.
All disasters are sad, natural or otherwise. We need to call-out the travesty that is the sport of tragedy. Just remember that the 3-year-old boy that was washed up on a Turkish beach escaping the Syrian civil war. It took one horrific image to remind us that we're all one, so whenever any tragedy strikes, remember, a little kid on the other side of the world could've been you, so please act accordingly.
PS. As a Dallasite, I should give a special shout-out to H-Town, America's most diverse city. Yes, more of a melting pot than the Big Apple. A place where science is held in high esteem (home to NASA). In 2010 it became the most populous U.S. city to elect an openly gay mayor, Annise Parker. (She went on to be reelected twice, thus adding to Houston's reputation as a city of acceptance). The mosques opening their doors to flood victims proves what Houstonians are all about. Contrary to popular belief, not all Texans support an immoral racist maniac pretending to be President. Harris County (represents Houston) voted for sanity, as did 26 other counties in Texas (including Dallas). Pockets of bigots can try to turn back the clock, but Americans will always be a proud liberal people. That's right Robert E. Lee sympathizers, liberalism and openness is trending all-over, even in the Texas Republic!
