Haiti earthquake shines light on when people really care
by Jen Camp, Staff Writer
On Jan. 12, a massive earthquake registering a magnitude of 7 on the Richter scale hit Haiti. According to the U.S. Geologists Survey, this is the largest earthquake to hit this area since 1770. The earthquake’s epicenter, or starting point, was discovered to be about 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital with a population of over 2 million. The earthquake set off smaller but still very powerful aftershocks registering anywhere from a 4.2 to a 5.9 on the Richter scale.
One reason that the devastation was so massive is that in Haiti, unlike here in the United States, there are no construction standards. All the huts and the houses were thrown together just to have some shelter so that when the ground started shaking, the building all just fell apart. With the massive impact this tragedy has had in the news around the world, I started to wonder why we haven’t helped Haiti before.
Haiti, because of its location in the world, is hit with hurricanes and other natural disasters, but those never cause a massive influx of rescue workers and helpers. I believe this incident really shows that in order for us to truly take notice and care about a disaster, a great number of people have to die. I guess if you look at it another way, the only way we react is if members of our own country are injured and or killed in the incident.
But let’s take a moment to think about this: what is a natural disaster really? With the way that the media always seems to portray them, we are affected by natural disasters only when a couple of things occur.
First, there have to be Americans involved or affected, or we have to be directly affected for us to even make it a big deal in our news system.
Second, a lot of people have to be injured or killed in the event.
And third, rescue efforts, fundraising or any other help offered because of the event has to make the United States look good.
So really, what should we do to avoid looking like a bunch of people who only help others whenever it helps us and makes all of us look good? What should we do to avoid looking hypocritical?
Haiti has seen a lot of devastation for a very long time. Last year alone the country was hit with over 14 hurricanes. Where was the rush of relief then? This situation just baffles me. I can’t comprehend why no one seems to care when Haiti gets hit with hurricane after hurricane, but as soon as the ground shakes and stuff starts to crumble we all jump into action.
Come on, people! WAKE UP! There was a lot more going on before an earthquake hit this country. Getting hit with 105 mph winds can mess up an island too. Hurricanes can weaken structures so that when an earthquake rocks an island, a whole bunch of stuff falls down and people get crushed.
Of course, any earthquake any populated place on this planet that hits 7.1 on the Richter scale will inevitably be a horrible thing. But I believe we need to open our eyes and realize there are many places that need our help. Maybe we should get our heads out of the clouds and realize that we need to help others before they all are killed.
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