Thursday, August 31, 2017

everyday heroes



Instead of the hate and conflict we are beat over the head with in the news and on social media every day, America found that its collective heart still beats strongly. People of all races were helping people of all races -- the spotlight shined on Houston, and Houston shined back.
Remember that this city and its people opened their arms to over 100,000 Hurricane Katrina victims 12 years ago -- sometimes we tend to forget the good and only remember the bad.
A black man named TJ didn't forget. He tweeted: "I will never forget how Houston opened its arms and welcomed my entire New Orleans. Stand by to return the love."
more here

I know about this, because I saw my patients respond to various emergencies, from the Idaho floods in the 1980's to Katrina to the Red River of the North Floods that devastated Grand Forks ND to the terrible forest fires in New Mexico.

The young volunteer, the churches collect clothing and food and arrange to deliver it there,  the "weekend warriors" of the National Guard get called up and leave families behind to help with rescue and providing food and water, and more importantly, the youth often go after the TV cameras leave to help in the clean up.

and this doesn't include local hospitals finding room for those who were evacuated, or letting family and friends stay with you in your house or sending them money to tide them over while they stay in local hotels.

Ordinary people are able to stand up and help each other when things get bad, for many of them have lived through disasters or illnesses, and want to help their neighbors in such times: which is why all the elite press manipulations of hysteria over statues or against "triggering" is shrugged off by ordinary folks.

Here in the Philippines, we see a similar outreach of family helping families and the government doing their best.

All of this is part of being human.


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