Our government’s action in relief efforts in Puerto Rico has been disappointing to say the least. As of Oct. 1, there are around 10,000 federal workers in the United States territory, a dismal showing for a natural disaster that hit over a week ago. In a matter of days, Puerto Ricans went from a normal to life to being pushed off the grid into a world of extremes. Citizens of the island are lacking the essentials of life: food, water, and shelter. In all the chaos, the president has offered more critical than encouraging words and help for Puerto Rico.
It is easy to get caught up in the lethargic movements of our government as well as the representation of our country, but we must not lose focus. What has been done is done and while the president’s actions are shameful, we must take them as a call to action. For now, the focus is on Puerto Rico and their situation, not on the one on Twitter.
While our government might not be willing to meet expectations, we as citizens can. Staff and students at EMU have already responded by sending hurricane relief kits with hopes that they reach Puerto Rico. The Goya Foods company has donated over 200,000 pounds of food. Already, Mennonite Disaster Services has representative Larry Stoner assessing the situation, and is looking to start a project in Aibonito and surrounding areas.
Big things do not need to be carried out by big people. It is when individuals come together that things happen. Companies like Goya are not expected to be on the forefront of relief efforts, but if the administrators see it fit, it can help immensely. As individuals we do not need to be part of organizations or clubs to help. Help can be as simple as a few clicks on the computer. We should not be distracted by who is not helping. What matters is that someone is helping.
The government grants us power to be individuals, and acting as individuals, we have one of the greatest powers possible. Effective movements are not made of large groups, but rather many individuals becoming one group. This is a perfect moment for America to take hold of this idea and represent ourselves how we see fit. We are not defined by our president’s tweets. We are defined by our actions that can out-speak any tweet. We must embrace the opportunities that lead us out of the shadow of the White House. The aftermath of Hurricane Maria is a call for us to stop focusing on what people are or are not doing and begin to focus on what we as individuals can do.
