8/28/17
It’s the same old story with every disaster. I watch it endlessly, read about it constantly, and wish I could do something impactful in response. I pray for the people of Texas as this storm wreaks havoc on small towns and big cities, wealthy families and those who are struggling, and people on both sides of the political levee.
Those applauding the atrocities being endorsed by the White House are just as fucked as those who are suffering at the handing of those atrocities. Many undocumented immigrants are reluctant to seek shelter for fear of arrest and deportation. Should that be what they’re concerned with at this juncture? How is this country and the demagogues who are “in charge” inducing such fear in the hearts of these innocent people? Where is the caring and compassion? It sure as hell isn’t in the White House. But that’s NOT news, is it? He tweets about a book by the sheriff in Milwaukee and says “good luck” to the people of Texas as the storm was approaching. He doesn’t help with anything. He doesn’t comfort anyone. And he doesn’t really have a positive impact on anyone in this country that doesn’t share his last name.
But as I sit here in New York and I reach out to the people I know in Texas, I wish them well and I pray for quick resolution to what some are calling the worst disaster in the state’s history. Do I send twenty bucks to the Red Cross? Are my prayers sufficient? Does simply staying aware satisfy my responsibility to my fellow human beings? It’s a sad time seeing so many people in danger. It will be like this for a few more days and then they get to return to their homes to witness the disaster that their lives have become. I still wish I could do something tangible. I mean like be there and help someone out of boat or serve them in a shelter. I feel like I could bring some comfort to them through my writing. They have a lot to consider going forward. I pray the leaders in the state of Texas do the right thing, because we know damn well he won’t be helping out back east.
