My heart breaks seeing all the news reports and articles on Japan. Seeing how towns were just swept away in mere minutes, and how people were stranded, stuck on higher ground with no where to go.
And then i think about those poor people who didn't make it to a safer place on time. Those separated from their families, not even knowing if they made it somewhere safe or not.
Tragedies always put life into prospective for people. When you see how bad one nation have it, you realise that even though you have it bad, it's not quite as bad as the other side.
I'll admit i haven't watched the news quite as much as most people have. Some might call it selfish, or uncaring. But they are wrong. I care. ALOT. It affects me alot seeing it all. When it first was first broadcast and everyone was talking about it on Twitter i felt sick. Of course then it was just the earthquake, which was huge in scale anyways. But then the tsunami hit and had to make it worse. I was reluctant to put the tv on knowing I'd get sucked in watching it all day and end up in pieces. Of course I've ended up in pieces anyways. I feel torn. I want to help them in anyway i can. If i could afford to get out there somehow, i would. Why? Because no one in this world deserves a disaster like that. Because now I'm sat here, torn between differences of opinion and feel like I'm being made to feel guilty.
I'll admit right away, i haven't donated to Japan. I physically CAN'T. I'm broke beyond my wildest dreams living on one meal a day because thats all i can afford. Yet if i could send them my one meal, if it would help just that one person to have a decent meal a day i would. But i can't.
So then i start thinking. Sure i can't afford to give a donation, but i can sure try get others who can to donate. I know exactly what to do in order to raise the money. I've helped to it before, and it worked. I will need work on my side (which i will work on) but it will happen, and my guilt will be restored somewhat knowing i can help raise money for those who need it.
There are other issues with everything thats happened that gets to me as well. The backlash that comes with high expectations for celebs to donate, or raise awareness and the differences in opinion that go with it.
Some might say celebs should raise the awareness, urge people to donate and help. While i do think thats a good way of getting donations, it irritates me slightly. Could someone be that heartless that they would watch the news all day, see donation adverts on their tv screens, yet will only donate if their fave celebrity tells them too? Are there people in the world who are like that? Yes. There are. It saddens me that people would be so self centred that they would only do something if a celebrity told them to. What happened to freedom of your own mind? Thinking for yourself. Sure you would feel good afterwards, but would that be because you helped a country in need, or because you did what your fave celeb told you to do.
And thats were difference of opinion comes in. I won't fight someones opinion if people think thats ok for people to only donate if their fave celebs tell them too, because thats their opinion. I think its wrong, yes, but that too is my opinion. Don't slander me because i don't agree with you.
Which is why i decided to leave twitter for today. too much controversial shit is going down all because of a difference of opinion. I'm not going to argue with friends over that. It's not worth it. We weren't all raised on this planet to think the same. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, i KNOW I'll probably piss people off with this last part of my blog. I apologise, but thats not what i mean to do. And those who know me will know this.
So I'll leave you with the various ways you can donate and help Japan. I urge you to do it. If you can't, be like me and find another way to help.
British Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org.uk/japantsunami/?approachcode=68816_googlePAD10JpTs&gclid=CIKLucKjzqcCFQoa4Qod2G3HDQ
Save The Children - https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/secure/51_13134.htm?sourcecode=A11038004&formref=54heading=Japan%20Emergency%20Appeal&target=Japan&amounts=25,50,100,300
And a site with more charities you can donate to for Japan - http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_newsroom/20110311/wl_yblog_newsroom/japan-earthquake-and-tsunami-how-to-help
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