I've been astounded by the incredible generosity of this community in the wake of the unspeakable disaster in Haiti. The prayers and expressions of support, the many offers to coordinate giving, and the unbelievable generosity of people here -- many of whom have so little to give, but give nonetheless -- shows the best of who we are, and have brought us together.
Yet today I see the revival of a tiresome squabble with tit for tat diaries consuming much of the oxygen here once again, after weeks of fruitless and destructive fighting over the holidays. Two sides have fallen back into line, yelling past each other and willfully misrepresenting each others' views in an argument which is, as usual, going nowhere.
Are we better than this? Can we, just for a few days, show respect for the dead and dying and focus on what's really important in the world today?
Tonight I had a conversation with a reporter from the Dallas Morning News, who noted our efforts to raise money for the victims in Haiti and emailed me because of my screenname. I had a long chat with him in which I extolled the good heart and caring nature of the people in this community. "We are liberals and progressives, we are interested in politics because we care about people," I told him. I described how this community responded to a simple appeal with incredible energy and self-sacrificing generosity, and that after five years here I had expected no less of us. He was impressed, and is working on an article about how new media and social networking sites are mobilizing to help the Haitians. He got the idea for that article from us. Yet tonight I feel he won't see that community I know so well if he comes here again.
People are dying and starving and suffering in their hundreds of thousands tonight. Many many more are living in fear or are keening in grief. They will for some time to come. Can we, just for a little while, remember them and show a little respect? Can we forget our grudges and squabbles for the moment? Can we?
UPDATES: Please recommend betson08's latest edition of Helping the Victims of the Haiti Earthquake, Day 3. This is the diary that contains the extensive list of links to aid organizations this community has compiled. The list has been referenced widely, according to feedback I've received, and its maintenance has become a community project and a service to many more than us.
mindoca has posted an expert's eye view of disaster relief, and will teach you a lot about what's going on and what has to go on in Haiti. Please read and recommend if you feel it worthy.
Please recommend TexMex's ShelterBox diary if you haven't already, and consider giving if you're not tapped out. Kossacks have donated shelter for 220 Haitians through her heroic efforts and our collective generosity, and it would be nice to keep the effort going.