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 | | Casino Terminated. | Several of my friends and relatives are in the midst of life-altering events as we speak. My brother and uncle live in Biloxi, Mississippi and survived Hurricane Katrina, and I dig into the disaster below. Also, two of my friends are about to undergo life-changing events that will hopefully transform their lives. Often, we hit a crossroads without even realizing it, and the choices we make at that fork in the road sometimes reshape our lives in ways we do not imagine. I speak with the weight of wisdom, but yet I cannot preach to my friends what's best for them. Rather, I lend just a little bit of sound advice as they turn loose on the world and make their life-changing decision.
The first friend is contemplating moving to one of two cities- New York or Miami. The second friend might rekindle a former passion for the arts. I have known one for many years, and the other for only a few months. Yet, I hope to grow closer to both of them, as I care for them deeply, and I hope they find true happiness in their own special ways. I know that since I have returned to playing the piano, I have achieved a new level of happiness. I will be performing on a frequent basis in the coming years, as I know that allowing others to enjoy music that I play and connect with me completely satisfies me like nothing else.
The Emotional Quotient
Leaders all know that in the midst of a crisis, they must always maintain total control of their emotions. For without this control, the morale of their minions-- or in this case, their citizens-- will collapse. A.J. Holloway, the mayor of Biloxi, MS, played his part well, refusing to submit to hopelessness, even when spotting Biloxi's casinos ripped to shreds, a few tossed across Highway 90, and a few that were simply missing! But when Holloway and his wife rushed to the Southern Memorial Gardens near the beach, where his father is buried, he quickly discovered that the entire mausoleum was gone. He emerged from the gardens in tears.
Sometimes, even the bravest of leaders break down amid the devastation. I have a feeling that I would probably lose my composure too, even if only for a minute. But elsewhere in Biloxi, Gulfport, Bay St. Louis, Pascagoula, there is nothing left for many to do but to weep and mourn. Unfortunately, in New Orleans, there is a different kind of emotional discontinuity. Anger, homicidal rage, and paranoia threaten the image of the city, and consequently, the image of Americans in general. I feel a great deal of empathy for what all of the storm refugees are going through, but I will not allow myself to become enraged over the events of the past few days. To sit here and toss anger and resentment at the unscrupulous few who are raping, murdering, and attacking relief personnel will not help me or anyone else. Yet, I overhear people clamoring about how the looters and rapists should just be shot. Again, this kind of twisted redneck approach is much like the very mentality that started the unrest to begin with.
 | | Ahhh, a Serotonin Release | Our "supreme" leader, President Bush, has once again thoroughly disappointed me. But instead of wishing death upon the lawbreakers, or loathing our administration for not intervening in New Orleans' crisis fast enough, I have been donating money to the American Red Cross. Nearly all of what we donate is funneled precisely to the areas where it is needed the most. If you have not yet donated at least some pocket change to the relief efforts, please go out and find a Red Cross donation center. Most Starbucks coffee shops will accept donations right at the cash register, and the cashiers will give you a receipt. Here's my most recent donation, shown at the right. This is my second .00 donation, and I still do not feel like it is enough. I wish that I could donate everything I bought over the past month to hurricane victims. How snobbish of us to just go about our merry ways, failing to adjust our shopping habits during a crisis like this. I scrapped my classical music CD budget for the entire month, and I'm also going to redirect all that money to the American Red Cross.
For over one million Americans, Hurricane Katrina was a life-altering event that, among other things, tested just how well each and every one of them are able to control their emotions and begin rebuilding their life. For many of the homeless and displaced in Mississippi and Louisiana, the trauma is overwhelming-- particularly if a victim's spouse also died, or if he/she witnessed a murder or rape during the past few days. But personal willpower can overcome the worst catastrophes of nature. I honestly wish I was there to help; not only to deliver food and water, but also to smile, take someone's hand, and promise them that their life will now change for the better.
Speaking of life-altering events, my uncle also suffered a loss in Biloxi. He owns two houses in Gulfport/Biloxi that sustained heavy damage, and our family is still awaiting reports of the fate of his life's work. My brother is a Casino worker in Gulfport, and obviously his life has now been uprooted. But above all else, they are alive and safe, and since they survived, anything is possible. Whatever path my relatives take, with a little patience, they will prosper once again.
One day, we unprepared folks in San Francisco may be dragged through the worst kind of catastrophe-- the kind that strikes with no warning. It's no wonder that we tend to give generously to disaster relief efforts. For the sake of disaster relief, San Franciscans tend not to pass judgment, and we tend to sympathize with everyone equally. We keep abreast of unfolding events to lend a hand wherever we can, for someday, we may ask for the same.
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Hurricane Katrina
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by wisebrain |
posted September 4th, 2005 around 07:32 PM
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The hurricane is a true test of the human spirit. Glad you're making your contribution to help! I really like that profile pic. Is it a sketch?
RYC: I live in Boulder, CO.
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I donated
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by JCFans |
posted September 4th, 2005 around 07:28 PM
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Yeah, I donated quite a bit for the victims, too. It moved my heart espescially when I saw this diabetic black lady being interviewed on CNN, whom had been without insulin for 3 days, and suddenly passed her hyperglycemic self out mid-interview! I shed some tears and made a commitment to help the victims. If I can't be there physically, then financially would be the next best thing.
RYC: Toronto isn't safe at all. One of my friend was a victim of a gay bashing in the subway and his house was broken into shortly after. That's unnerving.
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I am proud of you!
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by laurentius1104 |
posted September 4th, 2005 around 07:27 PM
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I am proud of you!
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Every little bit helps
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by FireAndIce1975 |
posted September 4th, 2005 around 07:27 PM
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Next disaster
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by theantidesi101 |
posted September 4th, 2005 around 07:25 PM
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Yes the next disaster can happen anywhere, which supports the generosity from Americans from all over the nation. I am very angry at our President, but actually more angry at the total mismanagemnt of FEMA, whose failures can be blamed on many factors, not least the overemphasis of protecting against terrorism and less emphasis on the more likely natural disaster.
I'm glad to see you donating. I set up a donation drive in my mom' s salon, and wrote a piece about it in my school newspaper. I think there should also be a drive in my school, so yeah. Great job, and I must say your posts are very well-written.
Sincerely,
Common Sense New Yorkism
Xanga's #1 Teen Source for LGBT News
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