I know that this is probably too short to count as a "real diary." I haven't had time to do a comprehensive one on this subject, so if anybody else does, please feel free to replace this one. However, I felt that this was a subject too important to be ignored.
The devastation in Haiti resulting from four brutal hurricanes is almost beyond belief. Before these hurricanes struck, Haiti was already one of the world's poorest countries, suffering from widespread famine. In the wake of the hurricanes, it has become a place of unspeakable suffering.
America's official response to the situation in Haiti has been disappointing, to say the least. Naturally, the Bush Administration has shown far less interest in the Haitian tragedy -- occurring literally right off of our shores -- than it has shown in sending aid to Georgia. Haiti is at best a blip on the screens of the MSM. Senator Obama has spoken out about the ongoing catastrophe in Haiti, but he can't do it alone. As we are all well aware, he is very busy with some other matters.
Ordinary Americans are doing extraordinary things to help. Relief efforts are ongoing in South Florida. Here in New York, there is a concerted effort in the Haitian community to promote relief efforts.
Sunday, September 21, 2008, is the African American Day Parade in New York City, and there will be an effort to concentrate public attention on the plight of the Haitian people. Donations are being collected at the following sites:
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building
163 West 125th Street, Lobby
New York, NY 10027
8AM to 7PM
Brooklyn Armory
1579 Bedford Avenue (Between Union and President Streets)
Brooklyn, NY
If you are in the New York area, any help at these locations would be much welcome. If you are in other locations, please find out if there is anything you can do.
I realize the DailyKos community has a lot of demands on its time, and I see every day that there are people here who are doing more than their share. This is one more desperate need that so many people seem to be ignoring.