Harbor Wave
One hundred and thirty-five thousand names. Over forty-four September 11ths in the space of less than two-and-a-half hours. Americans think that September 11th shook the world. The “Christmas earthquake” did shake the world.
And yet we remain USA-centric, even to the point of calling this the “Christmas earthquake.” It might have still been Christmas in New York, but it was just after midnight Greenwich Mean Time, and it was after seven in the morning in Sumatra when the quake hit. I suppose that “Boxing Day earthquake” just doesn’t have a good enough ring to it to sell many American newspapers though.
CNN did an informal poll this morning, asking how many of its readers had sent money to aid the areas devastated by the tsunami. Only fifteen percent of us had. I can only hope that this percentage is not a true reflection of my countrymen’s altruism. Judging from my coworkers though, it may be an optimistic estimate.
Interest in news from the Indian Ocean has been high here, but I notice that my associates have no problem in turning away from the television when the news is over. On September 11th we couldn’t look away from the television, and when circumstances forced us away, we still had our Walkman radios and newspapers from the front lobby. Now, when the CNN newscast turns away from the tsunami zones to talk to us of Jude Law’s birthday or the high school kid who shot Santa with a bee-bee gun, we have no trouble switching our lunchroom conversation to what we’re wearing for New Year’s Eve or to what our vacation plans will be for the coming year.
There’s something wrong with me. I can’t make the switch from news to “real life”. I don’t see the dead on the television screen so much as the living. The man who had to choose between letting go of his wife or letting go of his son. Another man who clutched his six-year-old son and watched the bubbles of his last breath surface through the raging water. The mother who lost her eleven children. The lost fishing villages, crushed fishing boats, the bloated carcass of a cow that probably represented someone’s primary wealth and major means of support. It’s half a world away, but in a way it’s more real to me than the events two hours to my north from 2001.
Those who survived the collapse of the twin towers had the support of a wealthy nation, and most never faced true financial ruin. They had family to support them. They had a community to turn to in times of grief. In Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and other places entire communities are in mourning, or in some cases gone completely. Outside support is just reaching some places. It is a fair prediction to say that the devastation has not yet peaked, and that to have survived the waves does not ensure survival. Illness of the body and of the soul will claim yet more victims.
I gave to the Red Cross when help was sought for the September 11 victims. I had not yet been diagnosed with my own illness, and had not yet been brought to living from paycheck to paycheck. I’m only just now starting to see my way free from bottoming out financially. And yet, compared to what the survivors are left with, I am rich beyond measure.
The Socialist, who is not big on fancy dinners out, agreed a week ago to humor my whims and go out for a fancy dinner tonight, New Year’s Eve. I realized a day ago that I cannot celebrate on a night when so many have been brought so low. We’re staying in tonight, and the money I’d set aside for my big dinner out I sent to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières. Clean water and medicine are needed most there, and no group is better equipped to assist with these needs than MSF. The contribution doesn’t make it easier to face the television, but it does make it easier to face my own image in the mirror.
May the new year bring joy, peace and satisfaction to my friends reading this.
Here’s hoping the new year brings happiness and good health
Hugs
Well said, Salamander. One of my thoughts over the last week is how this puts the horror of the World Trade Centre firmly into perspective. We’re not in the best financial circumstances at the moment either, but like you, we decided to donate some money that we would otherwise have spent on frivolities. It’s only a small gesture, but if all of us in the west did the same, then that would add up to some serious help for those who need it most right now.
It’s interesting to hear that the US press is talking about the "Christmas Earthquake" – I haven’t heard it being called that by anyone else – the media here are just calling it the "Asian Tsunami". Maybe because (as you pointed out) it was already Boxing Day here. And perhaps (dare I say it?) because we’re a bit more aware that not everybody in the world sees things the way we do? And that most of the countries affected don’t even celebrate Christmas anyway…
Anyway, I hope that the New Year brings everything you could wish of it.
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Dear Salamander
Tears are in my eyes as I read this entry – you have to be one of the most beautiful people I know – and are blessed with a voice that can raise awareness.
Thank you for giving up your special occasion so that others might benefit.
Happy New Year and hugs to you and the Socialist,
wishing you Happiness, Good Health, and Peace throughout 2005,
and may more and more people come to see and feel and think as you do.
love from Thubten
It is mind-boggling isn’t it? I would love to go over and donate my services.
All the best in 2005, Sal.
A beautiful and inspiring entry; just what I’d expect from you.
I’ve mainly heard it called the Boxing Day Tsunami. Whatever we call it, it’s a mind-boggling tragedy.
You know…you talked about this so well.
Im not sure exactly just how intense the impact has been to all on the "other side" of the world, however to us in australia the impact has really hit hard.Im not talking about the massive number of aussies killed/lost…thats just almost too self centred at this stage. Im talking about these people being our neighbours, friends.
At university, there are many students from many of those countries that study here and return home for christmas. I am sure many wont return.
We are getting coverage far greater than what I expect you are. Its so terrible, so heart breaking. Its so beyond my imagination .
There was great debate here in sydney about the fireworks going ahead New Years Eve. The reason being the money should have been sent over there. Well, the money was already spent on the fireworks, so it went ahead and it was just so wonderful to see a big part of the night was raising money to be sent there. Over $1.2 million was raised New Years Eve alone. I like you just wish I could do more.
The worse is yet to come. The pain and the scars and the realisation that their society has changed forever. Its just so very very sad 🙁
How people can move past this I will never know
Happy new year, Salamander dearest.
i so just want to hug you. i was in amsterdam when this happened watching bbc world news and flabergasted at so much about this tragedy. the suffering looked so familiar. exhausted with emotion. stoic. confused. unable to catch the breath from shock. some of the children, though, just deal with the moment without taking it too personally somehow. they had already learned something simple and staggeringly complex, but i don’t know what. poor children know so much about life. one of the many thoughts i had is that this tragedy has the potential to be as much a gift to humanity.