Being Silent Will Not Keep You Safe
Yesterday's bumper sticker, a prophecy coming true within less than 24 hours.
Last night Kanye West made some comments that "were not the opinion of the NBC Network" but nevertheless were aired during the NBC fund raising concert, as well as picked up by at least Yahoo News, and mentioned in many other editorials, commentaries, reports. What did he say?
"I hate the way the news shows black people looting, but they show white people trying to get food... This country hates black people..."
My son and I had made similar observations of such racism in the news coverage. Why indeed, every time they focused on the issue of looting, did they show African Americans? Why were so many of those left behind African American? Look at how this country treats its poor. The most subtle suggestion that poor people are predominantly African American. And other such thoughts.
Looks like even though Kanye's comment was dangerously close to Michael Moore's outburst against Bush during the Oscars a couple of years ago, Kanye's comments have been taken to heart. Rather than shocking and creating distance, people absorbed them and are responding.
Now images of African Americans on the news coverage of Katrina's aftermath are positive... reunions, acts of courage, Good Samaritan reasons for staying behind rather than evacuating...
Who can fault the police and emergency workers who bolted, handed in their badges? When the federal and state governments, whose responsibility it is to provide infrastructure for delivering help during emergency situations, does nothing for four days, you're working feverishly with no backup, no support, no net. You exhaust yourself. You question what good you can actually do.
The disparity between the suffering in New Orleans and the suffering along the Gulf Coast is magnified. Couples in Gulf Coast towns practically stroll among the ruins of their 4000 square foot homes, crying to reporters they've lost everything. I feel for you, but excuse me, your suffering is nothing compared to living in cramped crowded conditions in sewage with no water, no food, intense heat, being preyed upon by thugs for 5 days.
Staff at Tulane University Hospital evacuated yesterday afternoon. Right across the street is the public hospital where seriously diseased people are living in aforementioned conditions, with no medicine, no sanitation, no water. Why are healthy staff being evacuated while sick people are allowed to fester?
Yet the thing that brings joy to my heart is the most recent influx of help; generals and commanders directing their troops, picking up babies, delivering food, water, planning how to supply what is needed. How to help is the basic question on everyone's minds. Answers will come; we will help. We are witnessing a healing the likes of which this country has never seen and which is sure to change the course of history.
Last night Kanye West made some comments that "were not the opinion of the NBC Network" but nevertheless were aired during the NBC fund raising concert, as well as picked up by at least Yahoo News, and mentioned in many other editorials, commentaries, reports. What did he say?
"I hate the way the news shows black people looting, but they show white people trying to get food... This country hates black people..."
My son and I had made similar observations of such racism in the news coverage. Why indeed, every time they focused on the issue of looting, did they show African Americans? Why were so many of those left behind African American? Look at how this country treats its poor. The most subtle suggestion that poor people are predominantly African American. And other such thoughts.
Looks like even though Kanye's comment was dangerously close to Michael Moore's outburst against Bush during the Oscars a couple of years ago, Kanye's comments have been taken to heart. Rather than shocking and creating distance, people absorbed them and are responding.
Now images of African Americans on the news coverage of Katrina's aftermath are positive... reunions, acts of courage, Good Samaritan reasons for staying behind rather than evacuating...
Who can fault the police and emergency workers who bolted, handed in their badges? When the federal and state governments, whose responsibility it is to provide infrastructure for delivering help during emergency situations, does nothing for four days, you're working feverishly with no backup, no support, no net. You exhaust yourself. You question what good you can actually do.
The disparity between the suffering in New Orleans and the suffering along the Gulf Coast is magnified. Couples in Gulf Coast towns practically stroll among the ruins of their 4000 square foot homes, crying to reporters they've lost everything. I feel for you, but excuse me, your suffering is nothing compared to living in cramped crowded conditions in sewage with no water, no food, intense heat, being preyed upon by thugs for 5 days.
Staff at Tulane University Hospital evacuated yesterday afternoon. Right across the street is the public hospital where seriously diseased people are living in aforementioned conditions, with no medicine, no sanitation, no water. Why are healthy staff being evacuated while sick people are allowed to fester?
Yet the thing that brings joy to my heart is the most recent influx of help; generals and commanders directing their troops, picking up babies, delivering food, water, planning how to supply what is needed. How to help is the basic question on everyone's minds. Answers will come; we will help. We are witnessing a healing the likes of which this country has never seen and which is sure to change the course of history.
posted by D Ed. | 3:43 PM
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