Buffalo = Disaster??
On Thursday the 12th of October Buffalo was hit by a snow storm. As the flakes fell so did the tree branches, knocking down many power lines. By the dawn of Friday morning many roads were impassable and 350,000+ people were left without power. It was a bad storm to say the least.
It was actually not that bad of a deal for me, having spent the last two years away, and living for a couple of month’s without electricity myself. It was just like being in the Swazi winter, except for the snow of course. I was intrigued by so many of the media and a number of talk radio calls that referred to this storm as a disaster, and used terminology like “horrific,” “war zone,” and “devastion.” I kept telling people that this is not a disaster, as they do not have their cable to watch the bills game on Sunday. They’re not too good anyways this year. (However, we might have a disaster on our hands if we cannot watch the undefeated Buffalo Sabres for a long period of time).
Through most of my powerless day’s adventure, I spent a bunch of time quietly laughing at spoiled American’s complaints, and trying hard myself to make others laugh and have a good time. It was cool how it forced some people to come together. On the first morning after the snow fell, my friend Casey and myself donned hard hats, a clip board, and my digital camera and walked around “looking official.” Meaning: taking pictures, shoveling snow for old ladies driveways, moving branches out of the street, telling people “everythings gonna be all right,” kissing babies and asking them to remember me come election time. It was so fun. Peoplewere driving by giving us the thumbs upand honking their approval.
This past Sunday morning, I went to the only open store in my town, (a McDonald’s)to get some coffee for my parents. While I was waiting in line I had a guy start talking to me about how bad everything is, andasking what is anybody doing to help us. Then he told meour situation was like being in Beruit, Lebanon. I was trying very hard not to laugh in his face and had to walk away from him.
Please don’t take me for an insensitive jerk. I am not indifferent to American people and their pain. As of today, the 19th of October, it is estimated that 12 people lost their life due to this storm. That is terrible. The loss of any human life in any context is a terrible thing.
The reason I am writing this article is because I get upset when Americans lose their cable TV, an inconvenience at most, and call that suffering. Most American’s know little, if any, of suffering.
As of today the snow has long melted away and some people still do not have power (7 days now), cable TV, and internet. Many people though are back to work, school, and the luxurious life of heat and premium cable or satellite sports bliss. Buffalo’s situation is in no way on the level of Katrina, Beirut Lebanon, or half of what’s happening around the world on a daily basis.
Disaster or not I hope this past week made a lot of people realize how blessed they truly are. America, you are highly blessed…and spoiled. And when you go without power for 6 days out of a year and still have plenty to eat and drink I hope that you realize that there are many in the world without the comfort of electricity for 365 days a year, and barley have anything to put in their bellies any of those days let alone in a time crisis. So next time we lose power and shout “devastation!” from the rooftops and “Where the heck is FEMA, and what are they doing for us?” I hope we have enough grace to realize we don’t have it that bad. In so many places in the world “devastation” is a true daily reality, and FEMA (with all it’s inadequacies) is only a pipe dream, whose services would be greatly appreciated.
I guess it is true that during a crisis people come together and it can really bring out the best in people. But in this past week, in some instances, I have seen the worst. Complaining, selfishness, looting, to name a few. Millions of dollars have already been pledged to get Buffalo back up on its feet, and yet it’s so hard to get someone to give $10.00 to fund relief work in the country with the world’s highest HIV/AIDS rate. That’s so sad. May God have mercy on our red, white, and blue selfish souls.
Please feel free to comment and challenge anything said n this blog. I really welco your input. Thank you.
I agree we have it pretty easy. I also wonder though if you can really compare the intensity of people’s situations. Until you experience it how can you truly know…
Thanks for your input “B.” I think it is hard to compare for sure. With today’s technological advances (ie ease of internet accessibility, and a huge 24/7 media machine though, don’t you think that much of the educated American public has been inundated with opportunities to truly know in some sense the plight that people are facing around the world? Can we know on some basic level what someone in Africa or India is experiencing without getting on a plane and traveling there? And, does that basic knowledge then lay some responsibility on us to do something about the plight of our global neighbors? I think it does.
just a comment on your article, on sunday, after getting my electric back on sat. night, i was enjoying watching our Buffalo Bills get beat (again) when my folks and i heard two explosions. a couple of blocks away there was a giant cloud of black smoke, the word on the streets is that a car blew up in some ones garage, which then in turn continued to travel to the rest of the house(attached garage). later on that evening my friend and i (you) went and saw the house,YIKES!! so in closing, all of my complaints from this past week are pretty much put to rest, because right now i’m warm, healthy, and dry, so i hope that this family who lost their home are alright. see ya D
amen bro. you look pretty scary with that hat on!
love your perspective. there’s no comparing the relatively minor bumps in our ride down easy street with the raging horror of an entire country being laid waste. we Americans are inclined to defend ourselves and keep Africa at a safe distance. those of us who have witnessed what it is to die in obscurity need to insist that the world take notice. what’s going on there is an outrage to the Kingdom. You are one of few to place themselves at risk so as to incarnate Christ. You kind of remind me of that scene in “Platoon” where the soldier is left behind enemy lines and is being chased by the enemy. God help us as we try to rouse a slumbering Church to wake up and get in the game.
Well, I a spoiled american had a gernerator. But those of my friends that didn’t came over and my friend that lives in a trailer spent the night at my house. She had no power, heat, or anything and the walls for the trailors and paper thin I swear. But she’s my best friend I helped her out. Personally, I think I would be good without power-Yeah, no computer, no tv (don’t watch much of that anyways), no lights. Boo-hoo. All I would need is the clothes on my back, a candle, paper and a pen (I like to write). I would be fine. I agree though, americans are very spoiled compared to many other palces. Some of my family that lives down in buffalo still doesn’t have power though and thats last I knew which was yesterday. (10/22) Anyways, enough said from me. X_x Sorry I type alot. ^^”