Tsunami disaster shadow other world's crisis?

from JoeUser Forums
The support that western countries have brought to the victims of the Asian tsunami disaster is really great. No doubt. There's been fundraisings of all sorts, items such as clothes or anything that could help them in these times of needs collected from all over.

Maybe this huge bursts of solidarity comes from all the shocking images that we get from tv, internet, the local paper, with a little note saying you can help by donating to whatever group. And maybe even you have donated. Which is good. I mean BRAVO! to all of you who've contributed to helping fellow human beings in desperate need.

But, i have the feeling that maybe this event that we were aware of, has hidden other major crisis in the world.

I mean I saw this adverts for Asia's areas that suffered from the catastrophe and i thought "what about "third world" countries that have been battling disease and precarious situaions for decades?" I'm thinking of Africa's poorest countries that struggle with AIDS, lack of (or non-existing) education and malnutrition among other issues.

Of course, they've received help already. But it is obvious it was either insufficient or misused. Misused sounds more like it. Specially in little dictatorial countries where the 'president' (president is his title even though he has all the characteristics of a dictator...) lives a luxurious life, leaving his people litterally dying of hunger.

The media has the power to let us know what is going on out there. But they only show us what's "hot". As soon as the subject is totally dried out, they just stop talking about it and instead show us the new "hot". Even though the situation has not been fixed up in their previous lucrative subject.

We cant help everybody, i know. And it's good that we can help at least someone in the world. But i just think it's odd that we've ignored some problems for so long only to focus on a new one that is urgent to deal with.

Maybe because unlike Africa, the people that suffered from the tsunami were victims of nature's wrath, whereas in Africa it sounds more like a human issue. If they all agreed over there they could be a whealthy country. I dont know. I think i'm starting to ramble and it doesnt make any sense now.

Like Bob Marley used to sing there's So much trouble in the world...
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Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I agree with the point you are making... but in America, it's a fact we just have to live with.

America is a capitalist nation, and that basically means money is the driving force. The media has learned that people have short attention spans, and respond well to emotional issues. So if something big and traumatic happens, they will report on it vehemently until they have drained it dry and go on to their next target. Sadly news is all about the money, and sthey won't make money by rehashing old stories that they have already drained out.

The fact is that selling the 'hot' product is what makes them money... so why worry about old issues when the new ones make you more money, even when the new issue is pointless?
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I think the Ethiopian "crisis" of the 80's is a classic example of what you are driving at. Everyone who was alive at the time remembers "We Are the World" and "Do They Know It's Christmas" playing over and over on radios in an effort to raise money for the starving people of Ethiopia. People sang, cried, sent in their money, and all was well with the world... right?

Except of course, for the fact that it was a political (not a natural) famine in that part of Ethiopia, and what was actually spent on food and supplies for the stricken was mostly bombed in convoy, or just plain confiscated by the very Ethiopian government who caused the "famine" in the first place. I'm sure they appreciated everything the west had to offer.

The press, and media did a great job of firing people up for the cause, but did an awful job in the follow up. What's worse is, when they showed the food and supplies being distributed, it was by Ethiopian government permission and production. Of course, we didn't hear much of that in the news.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Maybe because unlike Africa, the people that suffered from the tsunami were victims of nature's wrath, whereas in Africa it sounds more like a human issue. If they all agreed over there they could be a whealthy country. I dont know. I think i'm starting to ramble and it doesnt make any sense now.


That's probably the reason. With the tsunami victims, we can actually help them, but with Africa, much needs to be changed, and if any country were to break these dictatorships, the world would cry "Imperialism!"

Besides, I also think that the people hurt matters. The tsunami supposedly hurt many people that were tourists from developed countries. In Africa, however, it's all Africans, and for the most part, it's still okay if Africans die.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
M-Post, thanks for stopping by. It is sad that money is what motivates the media, but it is, and like you expressed it we cant help it. It's just how society is nowadays, and well what can we do?

Para Ted, there are alot of examples, but the Ethiopian one is surely a good one since it was all over the place at the time, you're right. It's a shame that the efforts to help the people of Ethopia by the western countries was used by the government. I guess it was help that wasnt really helpful. The root of the problem was the government not the famine. And yes, the follow up of the press... They never really follow up, people lose sight of the problem and just 'forget' about it. It's like M-post said, all about the money.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Juxtaposition, you could be right, you know about the fact that it's because tourist from western countries were also affected by the tsunami. But if you look at it, the help goes to the countries where the the disaster happened, not to the families of the tourists: what do you think? I'll agree on the fact that maybe cuz people of your country died makes it feel like a shared pain, or something like that, but is that what motivates the help?