Blog
08.29
Never forget Katrina or 9/11... remember?
This Sunday marked the 5th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's ravaging path of destruction along the Gulf Coast, and for New Orleans, the day the levees broke.
Moreover, in just a couple of weeks, will be another morose day of remembrance for 9/11.
Despite whatever sociopolitical thought those two instances conjure, they are each days we should never forget. In fact, one of them used that as a slogan for fundraising support that was plastered on every wall and bumper sticker for a couple of years.
Therein lies the rub. It was just a couple of years.
People moved on to human interest stories after they were done discussing death tolls and the billions of dollars recovery was going to cost.
It is the media's job to put the brakes on any news cycle. "Breaking news" happens daily. (And no, nothing about any dolt named Lohan, Hilton or Kardashian is not breaking news.)
However, it seemed the anniversary of Katrina arrived and left as fast as the tumultous storm did. 9/11 will probably last a while in the news cycle because of the ballyhoo a certain Mosque is creating near Times Square.
That said, the fundraising has dried up. The awareness has clammed up. And the advocates have just about shut up.
Why? Because there are no cameras? No political supporters? No "what's in it for me"?
The devastation remains in the Gulf. The painful memories still exist in Times Square. "Katrina" didn't even trend on Twitter this weekend, for crying out loud.
Granted, this hurts me more than the average bear because I lost loved ones in both circumstances and spent many days at both locations helping out, so I may experience a little bit more of angst than most.
It doesn't stop the fact there is still a need for awareness, coverage and support.
"Never forget". It wasn't a question; it was a request. Maybe if the media reminded us all, we would remember. Maybe they still will.
Post new comment