You are upset about the earthquake in Haiti and feel bad for the people and family affected by this devastating natural disaster. We, too, are upset to see so many lives taken and also feel sad for the people of Haiti. We have noticed that many of you are handling the situation the same way – updating your Facebook and Twitter page.
We love Facebook and Twitter and utilize it reguarlary to update and connect with students at UCF. But we are ashamed to see the apathetic nature of your generation via social networking sites. Many celebrities died in 2009 and the masses of youth took to their status update bars to make note of the events. Michael Jackson’s death was probably commented on the most.
The earthquake that ruined hundreds of thousands of lives last week is not on the same level as Michael Jackson’s death. Regardless of how big of a fan you were this earthquake should be more important because it killed more than one pop star. It also earns more attention because unlike Jackson’s death you can actually do something to help. Overall, it deserves more than a note on your Facebook wall.
Perhaps the most common phrase we saw while researching this article was “My prayers and thoughts go to the people of Haiti.” Right now the people of Haiti need one thing – help. They need immediate help in the form of food, money, clothes, shelter and communication tools to search for and hopefully locate other relatives. They will need the same tools during their long-term effort at rebuilding the destroyed cities.
They do not need you updating your Facebook or Twitter page with a stock message people use during times of death. The only person you are helping with that message is you. You are making yourself feel involved and concerned about someone other than yourself. If you are not helping in whatever way you can though then you are not really involved.
Technology, including social networking sites, has made it easier to be part of the solution to any crisis. By sending a short text message you can donate money to the relief fund. Certain websites have links posted on their main page so you can quickly donate money to the relief efforts. If you don’t have any money to donate you can drop off old clothes or non-perishables at participating aid groups.
Even if you have nothing to physically donate you will always have your time to dispense on deserving projects. Contact your local Salvation Army or American Red Cross and help them sort through donations for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Then update your Facebook or Twitter page letting others know where they can help.
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