I have a feeling Madonna/ Brad & Angelina are on the way to Haiti

I have also often wondered about this bluesy but then I tell myself that children in impoverished nations are way worse off than children here so I think there are given the priority. What makes me shake my head though is the help that should have been given to Haiti before the disaster. it's not like the world didn't know.

Vendetta1 said:

I guess it takes something drastic to shake people out of their complacency, but I don't quite understand the outpouring of support now when there was nothing, as far as I could tell, before.

meow85 said:

What's sad is we won't take the lesson learned from this and apply it going forward. We could now be proactive where the next time we will, once again, be reactive.

kpowers said:

It's simple really.

Because the average person busy living their own life doesn't "get it" until it's basically thrusted in their face. And to be honest, I can totally understand how this happens.

You can't fault someone for wanting to help when they see such pain and suffering right in front of them, when they begin to learn about how bad things are. This triggers an immediate reaction to want to help. It's normal.

Sure, there are children that need homes in our own country but these are kids that are NOT living in the street. It's very different here, children are in foster care, and although we all know it has it's problems, it is not comparable to what happens in impoverished countries. When one hears about 80 children a month being turned away from an orphanage, it's hard not to want to help.

I also want to add that there are many people who have cared and tried to help the Haitian people long before this happened. Whether it be helping by volunteering there or adopting an orphan...many people have been trying for some time.

And lastly, I just wanted to ask all those pointing fingers and asking why people want to help now...what have you personally done to help those that really need your help? What did you know about Haiti before this happened? And do you really think that because people were ignorant to this country's troubles before this earthquake they now have no right to want to help or should be criticized for wanting to help now?
[Edited 1/23/10 17:11pm]

I see the point(s) being made, but to me, if kids are getting adopted, in any way shape or form, I'm happy.
I know it's a very individual choice, so this is not a judgment in any way, just a personal wish...I wish more people would opt for adoption vs. making babies in general.

johnart said:

well, the making part but yes, we could solve the foster concerns in our nation if more folks would adopt.and would be allowed to adopt.

bluesbaby said:

Well, I'm not against the baby makin ROUTINES.

meow85 said:

Why is that sigh worthy?

JustErin said:

I have no doubt that people like Brad and Angelina are well-intentioned, but I don't think it can be denied that there's a definite vibe of "wealthy white westerner swooping in to save the poor brown people from themselves". I can't pretend to know their intentions or what's in their hearts, but the phenomenon happens often enough I don't blame people who do read them that way.

Adoption (domestic or international) should be a natural and easy process/option for folk who have the desire and a stability (by stability I don't mean great wealth), period. It should not be something you have to go above and beyond financially or go broke trying to achieve.

I'll never understand why so often it seems to be the powers that be make it all or nothing for these kids, when we all know they would be perfectly happy to have the safety of a home and the love of a parent.
[Edited 1/24/10 8:24am]

Adoption (domestic or international) should be a natural and easy process/option for folk who have the desire and a stability (by stability I don't mean great wealth), period. It should not be something you have to go above and beyond financially or go broke trying to achieve.

I'll never understand why so often it seems to be the powers that be make it all or nothing for these kids, when we all know they would be perfectly happy to have the safety of a home and the love of a parent.
[Edited 1/24/10 8:24am]

johnart said:

I don't totally agree with this. I know lots of people who have adopted, some in my family and they are not wealthy by any means. It's really not a case of all or nothing for children looking for homes.

I have also often wondered about this bluesy but then I tell myself that children in impoverished nations are way worse off than children here so I think there are given the priority. What makes me shake my head though is the help that should have been given to Haiti before the disaster. it's not like the world didn't know.

On that same vein, you could ask why so many people are jumping to adopt children from impoverished nations, but the thought of adopting out of our countries' own impoverished inner cities or impoverished reservations doesn't even cross their mind,

meow85 said:

luv4u said:

thats not true at all- I have started the looooong proces of being a foster mom and so has my husband- but the hoops you jump thru over here are ridiculous. YES I want to adopt a hatian child and I did recieve the info on how after days of praying on it and asking. Even if it's temporary-

why?

maybe seeing those babies in the street or the little baby girl reaching for every woman that passes her because her mother is DEAD.

they are not sitting at an agency or a foster home they are on the streets watching bulldozers dump the bodies of their families and neighbors being dumped in mass graves.


if you live in chicago and you are interested- DCFS will be recieving these kids and they do need help- they are asking that you speak french- which I do-
-enough to communicate- if you want more info orgnote me.....

It's simple really.

Because the average person busy living their own life doesn't "get it" until it's basically thrusted in their face. And to be honest, I can totally understand how this happens.

You can't fault someone for wanting to help when they see such pain and suffering right in front of them, when they begin to learn about how bad things are. This triggers an immediate reaction to want to help. It's normal.

Sure, there are children that need homes in our own country but these are kids that are NOT living in the street. It's very different here, children are in foster care, and although we all know it has it's problems, it is not comparable to what happens in impoverished countries. When one hears about 80 children a month being turned away from an orphanage, it's hard not to want to help.

I also want to add that there are many people who have cared and tried to help the Haitian people long before this happened. Whether it be helping by volunteering there or adopting an orphan...many people have been trying for some time.

And lastly, I just wanted to ask all those pointing fingers and asking why people want to help now...what have you personally done to help those that really need your help? What did you know about Haiti before this happened? And do you really think that because people were ignorant to this country's troubles before this earthquake they now have no right to want to help or should be criticized for wanting to help now?

JustErin said:

I especially appreciate the comment in bold. It irks me that so many people are dismissive of the outpouring of aid under the "you didn't care before why do you care now" mindset. It pretty much dismisses the hundreds of people who dedicate their time and money to charity and aid under normal circumstances. Plenty of people (doctors, missionaries, etc.) were there BEFORE the earthquake, and plenty of those lost their lives.

PurpleJedi said:

For me it's not a dismissal of the help that was being rendered before the quake, it's just that it's been portrayed that Haiti has only needed this type of help SINCE the quake, when that is not the case.

A situation that was already dire was pushed past horrific into territory beyond words.