haiti

it amazes me when people don’t see the blessing in education. through education we have science and engineering. we understand why things happen and how to make them better. we understand that infrastructure is key.

if the united states had an interest in a stable nation in haiti, it would be stable. just as if the united states had had an interest in a sustainable lower 9th ward, it would have been.

so, tonight we sit and watch the news. sad and frustrated just as we were in 2005. reminded that when tragedy strikes it seems to bring out the best and then the worst in people. and after a tumultuous 2009, 2010 starts with a devastating natural disaster that will undoubtedly have political repercussions in the u.s. and across the globe.

to address the mistruths and hatred espoused by pat robertson and rush limbaugh in depth would be a waste of my energy and draining on my spirit. to be frank, neither of these people deserve my precious energy or spirit.

but i will say this…

instead of looking for a reason why god chooses to let things happen, think about what it means to be a person or group challenged by god.

instead of focusing on all of the things that hurt, focus on all the things that have been overcome.

instead of dwelling on the cause, collaborate for the best solution.

i pray that lives are saved and that people in need of help are able to get it.

if you happen to come across someone that feels haiti doesn’t deserve our help or that wants to demonize its people, feel free to send them this link.  they might sing another tune or at least shut up when they learn about how the west was really won.

i leave you with an old, but relevant message from harold melvin & the blue notes.

r.i.p.
teddy pendergrass
3.26.50-1.13.10

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itUrjWNGnZQ]