My Face Book – Haiti Experience
Haiti’s been on my mind for the past few weeks like many of my fellow humans around the world.
I say my fellow humans because apparently there are some lacking the basic ability to identify with other human beings experiencing a tragedy.
Last week I made the mistake of letting myself get drawn into a series of comments on a Face book “Friends” status update. I quoted Friend because honestly I haven’t had any real connection with this person for over 25 years. In my book that’s not really a friend.
I understand many of us have grown up differently and subscribe to a variety of political, philosophical and spiritual views. In fact, I usually do try to avoid reading status updates that sound remotely political because I’d rather appreciate those in my circle for how I know them. And honestly sometimes learning about their views on politics or racial matters for example can make that a more difficult task.
This particular status update however caught my attention and unfortunately drew me into reading the comments. The subject was the recent telethon featuring a variety of musical performances to help raise funds for Haiti relief. It was pretty obvious that the person wasn’t a fan of the idea and would prefer focusing on those in need in the “Good ‘ol USA.”
Before launching the link to read the additional comments I questioned whether I should. I did. What I read disturbed me, not because of who said it, but rather the fact that someone could actually feel this way. This person and I were educated in the same school during the first portion of our lives. Both of us were young students who learned the basic lessons of Christianity. I thought we were taught to show love and compassion for our fellow man. Apparently fellow man is defined by borders. Lucky me, I must have been absent when we covered that particular point.
It was the comment and my “friends” affirmation that really got under my skin. The commenter directly equated the Haitians in need of support to illegals and drug addicts. Saying “A concert for the working people, not the illegals or the lowlife crack heads, or the ones scamming the welfare system!!”
Not sure which category applies to all of those children orphaned all of those who are now homeless or those who lost limbs or lost their lives because of the earthquake.
I considered responding to the comment directly, but recalled something I decided a long time ago. I will never argue with folks who don’t have the capacity to stay on the topic and intelligently articulate their position. If this person believes USA dollars should stay in the U.S, I’m okay with you taking that position, but illegal’s and crack heads, c’mon, that’s just down right stupid. These are mothers, fathers, elders and babies just like ours in the USA.
As I get older I really do believe that the most important things we learn come from the first few years of our lives. In this case, if you don’t have something positive to say, then you just shouldn’t say anything at all.
