The scenes of Haiti are haunting. Technology has made it so we are able to know what is going on anywhere in the world instantly. We then can have a quick response and in cases like this, the ability to saves lives. We can be most helpful when we know what is going on.
But I want to caution people that there is a balance that is critical as well. It is well documented that we all can suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) by viewing this sort of thing too much. It is also well documented that many people get desensitized and are no longer inspired to act. I was very upset with the pictures of dead bodies on the cover of newspapers and in magazines. Is this really necessary? Maybe it’s needed for some to shake them into action, but for many of us, it creates a secondary trauma…especially for our children
We need to find a way to create hope and a sense of duty (a call to action) to help others without having to resort to shocking and traumatic images that haunt and hurt us; and eventually anesthetize us. We seem to have created a cycle that now requires more “shock value” to get people motivated. Can’t we find a different way? Rather than feeling the need to hit one another over the head, let’s find a way to nourish ourselves and one another and instill a sense of duty and connection to others in good times and dark times.
If we get used to giving to others on a small scale everyday…with a kind word, a monetary or physical donation, a gift of volunteerism, etc we will all feel empowered to make a difference. Then when the need is greater, such as in Haiti, it is a natural extension of what we are doing already. We know the way already, we just need to drive faster and take some passengers with us. We shouldn’t need to be traumatized to connect to the needs of others.
Tags: duty, Haiti, honor, post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD, social justice, trauma