Arigato Gozaimasu

Maybe it's a misplaced criticism, but amidst all the horrific news that continues to come out of Japan following the devastating earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis is something that is niggling at the back of my mind. Where is the emotional outpouring of grief and sympathy from the general public? When Haiti suffered through a terrible (and although it's inappropriate to compare - not AS severe as Japan's) earthquake, every popular celebrity couldn't organize fast enough to generate donations, telethons and other charity events to help the suffering victims. That wave of compassion (forgive the metaphor) seems to be missing following the triple tragedies that have occurred in Japan. Where's George Clooney? Are Kanye and Oprah too busy? Or maybe after Katrina, Darfur and Haiti, a certain Crisis Desensitization has developed. There do seem to be a lot of natural disasters lately and not every one can be addressed, I suppose. Apple's iTunes released an album today benefiting relief efforts in Japan. I went to the iTunes Store to see what songs were available and was impressed to see the artists who have donated their work for this effort. In the comment section however, was an odd smattering of people saying "Why are we doing this? Japan is a rich, industrial nation who doesn't need our help recovering." Have you watched the news lately? Ten thousand confirmed dead, over 17,000 still missing, thousands homeless, food sources scarce or contaminated...the devastation goes on and on. Regardless of how powerful a nation is, none can survive something like this without help. Didn't Katrina teach us that? I could speculate on other reasons the Japanese don't appear to need help: the people seem calm and organized with no looting or wailing for someone else to rescue them. They're not destroying what little they have left but are instead hanging onto their dignity and trying to preserve their humanity. Although the Japanese people to do not appear to require assistance, they most definitely do. Their culture just doesn't allow for that kind of helplessness. Just look at the Fukushima 50, the nuclear power plant workers who volunteered to stay behind to try to contain the a possible meltdown at the plant. These heroes knowingly risk cancer every minute they stay there to try to save thousands more from exposure. One man was 6 months away from retirement but volunteered to do what he could to help. These people, and all the survivors, make me proud of my cultural heritage. The Japanese are a proud and dignified people who will rise from these ashes as they've done before, but they need help. Please donate to the American Red Cross or to Japanese Red Cross if you can. Or you can do what I did - help the Humane Society International rescue Japanese animals in need. And that iTunes CD is only $10 for 38 songs by popular artists like Beyonce, Lady Gaga and the Black Eye Peas. All proceeds go to the Japanese Red Cross. Arigato gozaimasu.