Counteracting our fleeting attention spans.
The
hubbub has died down. Other tragedies have struck; our attentions have
been averted. A little over eight months ago, Haiti experienced one of
the worst natural disasters in history. Since then, Chile, Turkey, and now Pakistan
have faced their fair share of environmental turmoil. We watch
helplessly as nature devastates the homes and lives of thousands, and
then we turn our attention to the latest earthquake, then back to the
wars, celebrities, Apple products, and the ordinary everyday.
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The reports on Haiti are slower now that the country has entered
reconstruction. No longer are we bombarded with television ads to
"donate now," nor are we hit with the gruesome photographs that once
streamed onto televisions, websites, and magazines as the events
unfolded (though we have heard plenty about singer Wyclef Jean's bid for the Haitian presidency). To stay up-to-date with the aftermath now requires more intentionality on our parts.
Yet Haiti still needs help -- direly. This week, a special recovery commission announced
that more than $1.6 billion is needed to rebuild the country's economy
and agriculture sector, a primary source of jobs. A Monday New York Times editorial
predicted that overhauling the country's educational system, making it
universal and nearly free, will take about 20 years. Meanwhile, about
1.5 million Haitians are still living in makeshift tent camps; only 4
percent of the rubble has been cleared; bodies are still being dug up;
hunger continues; and grief will be present for a long time.
In mid-May, the Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University estimated
that American donors had contributed $1.3 billion to relief efforts,
but that it expected donations to drop off soon. "We're a nation with a
short attention span; three to six months after a disaster, donations
approach zero," said center executive director Patrick Rooney.
Will
we dare to stretch our attention spans? By "we," I am not referring to
the wealthy West coming in to save the day. I am referring to we the
church, those who read about "pure, undefiled religion" (James 1)
and are so deeply moved by it. This is a question I am challenging
myself with: Will I continue to purposefully, intentionally stay aware
of Haiti's plight? Will I choose to be intentional with prayer and to
whom I give money?
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SOURCE: Christianity Today | her.meneutics
Kate Roberts is a recent college graduate who blogs at Between the Lines.
