Gramma Evie: How many homes were destroyed in the earthquake, Arnold?
Arnold: I think about 200,000.
Gramma Evie: And we're building 500?
Arnold: So far.
Gramma Evie: Everybody hammer faster!
Seriously? This is your perspective? I know the conservatives are all about pulling yourselves up by your bootstraps, but ye gods, really? Oy. Over 300,000 people died and about the same number were injured. Over a million were left homeless. The US has given only 30 percent of the $$ it promised to Haiti, and other nations similarly have not met their pledges. Half a million people are still homeless, living in camps—camps where there is a lot of violence, particularly against women. So let’s think about this. The people are demoralized, hungry, injured, sick, living in tents, and facing violence. Yeah, they should totally be hammering nails. Honestly, do you guys hear yourselves? You cannot begin to imagine the poverty, pain, danger, and poor living conditions. “Well, if it were me, I’d get to work.” Sure you would—because you’ve been taught how to. You aren’t completely demoralized by seeing half your family wiped out and having to take care of other injured family members. You have the hope of knowing that it’s possible to have a place to live, enough food to survive, and while American justice isn’t perfect, it’s a darn sight better than most third world countries.
It’s not enough to imagine yourself with all your advantages and determination in their situations. Imagine yourself in their lives, having no education, no security, no justice, no hope, and no role models who can even show what success looks like.
Seriously? This is your perspective? I know the conservatives are all about pulling yourselves up by your bootstraps, but ye gods, really? Oy. Over 300,000 people died and about the same number were injured. Over a million were left homeless. The US has given only 30 percent of the $$ it promised to Haiti, and other nations similarly have not met their pledges. Half a million people are still homeless, living in camps—camps where there is a lot of violence, particularly against women. So let’s think about this. The people are demoralized, hungry, injured, sick, living in tents, and facing violence. Yeah, they should totally be hammering nails. Honestly, do you guys hear yourselves? You cannot begin to imagine the poverty, pain, danger, and poor living conditions. “Well, if it were me, I’d get to work.” Sure you would—because you’ve been taught how to. You aren’t completely demoralized by seeing half your family wiped out and having to take care of other injured family members. You have the hope of knowing that it’s possible to have a place to live, enough food to survive, and while American justice isn’t perfect, it’s a darn sight better than most third world countries.
It’s not enough to imagine yourself with all your advantages and determination in their situations. Imagine yourself in their lives, having no education, no security, no justice, no hope, and no role models who can even show what success looks like.