GregoryBowers.com

In the fast-paced, attention-deficit arena of public thought, I know people are already forgetting about Haiti, and redirecting their focus to football, american idol, celebs, etc—whatever they filled their days and spare moments with prior to the disaster. That’s natural, and I know it’s hard to focus on relief efforts without getting kind of depressed. But after seeing the huge text-donation rush recently, I’m afraid public attention will directly turn away from the rubble, with some people even expressing contempt for what lingering news coverage remains.

With that in mind, my thoughts turn to words of those out there (the worst example, of course, being Pat Robertson) who treat the tragic events as if it is something that does not concern the people of this country. I have seen posts on social networks from “connections” that treat this as if it were something that shouldn’t even cross the mind of Americans. What is maddening is that these are the same people who tend to espouse their “true Christian” nature every chance they get, and who will bring up 11 September 2001 every chance they get. The hypocrisy is uncontrollable. What kills me inside is some of these people live closer to Haiti than they do New York.

I’m not painting all Christians (or patriotic Americans, for that matter) as horrible, unloving people here. Absolutely not. I’ve just experienced horrendous hypocrisy out of a collection of people who shallowly proclaim they follow a character well known for espousing charity and love. To be against helping out, even if it’s just 5 bucks (that’s less than I spent on dinner tonight), is a sign of the coldest, least charitable, unloving heart I can imagine.

If you haven’t at least made a small donation to your charity of choice to help out in Haiti, seriously, go do it. Right now. It’s VERY easy. We just pitched in a little more (to Doctors Without Borders). Join us.

And lest we forget, these tragedies can happen anywhere, any time. Be it on your doorstep or the other side of the globe, make some effort to help others when they need it.