All of the news and social networking outlets are flooded with information about the magnitude 8.9 earthquake in Japan. A significant part of my twitter community is involved in comic book, TV, and movie superheroes. It's almost too easy to imagine Superman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman racing to Japan to put out oil refinery fires, stabilize "at risk" nuclear reactors, and evacuate the thousands of injured victims.Would the Martian Manhunter and the Flash show up and help cities like San Francisco prepare for the arrival of the quake-created tsunami (and thankfully, Hawaii survived its passing)? Which heroes would be patroling the Pacific, keeping ships and the populations of the many islands in harms way safe?
But we live in the real world. There are no superheroes...
...except us.
I'm not suggesting that we can put on a costume, exercise heretofore unknown super abilities, and "save the day", but we can do something more than sit around and watch it all happen on CNN.
For instance, New York City will help direct local donations to quake and tsunami victims and there is very likely a local or national group you can donate to, as well. Google has already pitched in by launching a person finder for Japanese quake victims, so if you work in technology, you may be able to leverage your skills and your business to assist.
Text "Red Cross" to 90999. $10 will be automatically charged to your phone bill as a donation to the disaster relief. Please Text "Red Cross" to 90999.
This is a link to a Reuters.com page containing links to a number of ways you can help the Japan quake victims.
And, if you are a religious or a spiritual person, you can pray.
Whoever you are, where ever you live, you don't have to turn into someone else and use fantastic, metahuman powers to make a difference. You can help by being just who you are. The only power you need to have is the power of compassion and the will to act on your humanity.
Be a hero. Help.
The Japan Earthquake Seen by Millions of Digital Cameras (Updating Live)
Save Me!
Wow! I've been following the news all day in different media, but this post went straight to my heart. This is what we need to understand to get up and DO something. Thank you for this message! I will try to post it as much as I can. *hugs* Prayers help keeping hopes up, but donations make the difference!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, DT. Spread the word. Retweet the blog. Everybody watches this stuff on the news but we need to do more. I appreciate your comments, your prayers, and your help.
ReplyDelete-Jon