Thinking of Japan

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/japan-earthquake-tsunami-relief/?rf=twtr

Whenever global disasters strike, I can't help but find people's reactions interesting. It all starts with someone posting the news story to facebook, and then there's a flood of statuses where people proclaim to be "thinking of Japan!" or "praying for the families" etc etc. And while this is all well and good, the society we live in seems to feel that "thinking and praying for" people in need is enough that they can step back and bask in the glow of their kindness. No one ever DOES anything anymore.

And I understand that not all of us *can* do much. I understand more than anyone, as a college student, that although donating $25 doesn't sound like a lot, its going to make the grocery budget that much harder. I'm sure theses people only have good intentions, but I wish people would stop focusing on "raising awareness"- especially when those things are going around facebook "raising awareness" for breast cancer. Nearly everyone has been affected by and is "aware" of cancer- we need to focus on not just "raising awareness" but raising awareness of how others can help, even if we ourselves are not in a position to be able to donate. So I encourage anyone reading this to take the link above and post it to facebook/twitter/your blog in lieu of a post about how you're "thinking about those in need".

PS- thanks to Allie Coffrey for the Global Giving link