YA HEARD: Haiti's need

"I've Been A Victim Of A Selfish Kind Of Love"

-- Michael Jackson

The deadly earthquake that has left Haiti in shambles is the hot topic of the world right now. Rescue efforts are at the top of people's minds as many human beings have tragically lost their lives. I must say that I have been proud of this country's response to this terrible tragedy. While official diplomacy from our government has been somewhat slow in terms of immediate aide, the common citizens of this country have been very forthcoming with resources to help slow the suffering in Haiti.

From native Haiti-born recording artist Wyclef Jean, to George Clooney, onto the NFL … it seems that everyone is clamoring to show their support during this terrible crisis; and that is the part that scares me just a little bit. Right now, Hollywood and the media frenzy is making Haiti recovery efforts the 'in thing' to do. The well-deserved enormous coverage of the Haiti Earthquake is moving many of us to open up our hearts and checkbooks for a good cause. The scary part of this is not knowing what will happen in Haiti when our attention is placed elsewhere and this hot-topic-of-news moment is nothing more than a distant memory.

Within the next couple of weeks we will be on to some other story that will captivate our minds. Efforts to help restore Haiti will no longer be the popular thing to do. Hollywood's involvement in this crisis is the most alarming aspect in seeing that our enthusiasm will soon fade. It just seems that some people, not all, are using this tragic moment as an opportunity to come off as compassionate and caring, or in other words, a chance to for free publicity.

The fact remains that today, tomorrow, and years from now the people of Haiti will still need help. Unfortunately, the media coverage and some of our false sense of compassion will have well worn off by then. Crises such as the genocide in Darfur or the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina were only hot topics here in the states for as long as they were featured on our evening news channels. As soon as something "new" came along, the old issue was out of sight and out of mind. In a twisted way, these moments become a form of entertainment for those of us in the states -- a horrific tragedy that takes place in some abstract place that pulls on our hearts in much of the same way as an evening drama does.

Now as for the families that have forever been affected by this terrible catastrophe, I do feel that our hearts pour out to them. We as "sane" human beings cannot help but to share the pain that others are feeling. Many have given their time, energy, and resources to help aid those in need.

It's important that we continue to keep moments such as these in our hearts well after we're told it's okay to turn a blind eye.

Haiti is in definite need of our help at this time, but beyond Haiti's situation there are a number of other causes that people can keep in the forefront.

I don't have to list them; we all see suffering in our daily lives and make no attempt to lend to a helping hand. We can't cure all of the world's ills, but in the wake of the earthquake in Haiti, it's clear that we can all do a lot more than we do -- myself included.

Talk to you all again in two week, 'til then … Peace!

Dennis Winn can be reached at 703-200-4928 or YaHeard40@gmail.com.