Lifestyles

How Do We Share The Love?

 

I know some people are going to take this the wrong way. I’m completely prepared for this. But, as the days go by this topic weighs on my mind every day so here it goes.

 

In the days following the massive earthquake that devastated Haiti, I was amazed at the herculean efforts to give medical aid, raise funds, and send military personnel to the island that lay in shambles. It made me feel good in my heart that so many people were coming to the aid of the Haitian people. I even tried to do my part by helping with the relief effort in the Power & Light District.

 

As much as I was proud that Americans stepped up to the plate to help it made me start to wonder. Why doesn’t this happen right here at home? With all of the Super Bowl festivities in full swing, I began to remember the images of a New Orleans that lay in waste following Katrina.

 

It took FEMA over 5 days to get water to the Superdome right here in the United States. We’ve all seen the images of people with signs saying, “Please Help Us!” The national guard issued evacuation warnings even though the 2000 census would have alerted them to the fact that many of those people had no way to evacuate. It was a terrible scene that I hope that we don’t ever forget.

 

In the days that followed there were several scandals. Supplies that were earmarked for victims remained in warehouses for months and then were given away to charities with no link to Katrina victims. The media and other referred to displaced victims as “refugees” as if these people were somehow not Americans who had just suffered through a horrible disaster. And worst yet, there was a growing sentiment that the victims weren’t people that had lost jobs, homes, and family members, but people that were just looking for a handout.

 

Years have passed since Katrina and there are still many neighborhoods that haven’t been rebuilt and people that haven’t been able to go HOME. But yet, one of the most disturbing things is that not many people are surprised by this, or even care.

 

The remarkable run by the New Orleans Saints has brought this issue back to the forefront. It was truly remarkable to see the streets of The French Quarter after the Saints punched their ticket to the Super Bowl by beating the Minnesota Vikings. The crowds erupted in to pandemonium, and filled the streets without incident.

 

The people who are in New Orleans today have a revived sense of belonging and are working to ensure that long proud city of the bayou maintains the culture that it is known for throughout the world. The music is there, the food is there, the party and drinks are there for sure. And, there are people making their way back to a New Orleans of renewed vision.

 

However, these proud Americans still need help. My hope is that one day we will do unto those in this country as we do unto those on foreign soil that need help. There are people that don’t live in the mainstream areas in New Orleans that still live in sub-standard housing and conditions. Why shouldn’t we strive to help these people also?

 

Don’t get me wrong, I strongly believe that we need to help those in foreign countries in their time of need. But I also think that we should save some of the love for home.

 

So as Valentine’s Day approaches I’m sending out some love to those who help others near and far. I hope that you will remember some of this next time we have people here in the US that need a helping hand.

 

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