We've all been through a lot. We've been through the earthquake in Haiti, we've been through the terrorist attacks in Paris, and we've been through the terrorist attack in Orlando. We have wondered why. We have wondered how we can help. We have wondered what is going on in the world. We have wondered how someone can be so disturbed. We have become disturbed by how someone can be in such a dark place that they take their anger and biases on innocent people. We have turned to social media. We have seen the hashtags.
Beware of the hashtags. This week Hurricane Matthew has hit and devastated many, it has reminded us of the people that are simply seeking attention and pity by posting about their "bad" situations that don't even compare to the experiences of others. Hurricane Matthew has killed over 800 (reported) people. Hurricane Matthew has taken the homes, livelihood, and comfort of more than just a country. However, many people don't understand this. Many people don't know how to fathom this. Many people don't know how to help with this other than to tweet #prayforhaiti or #prayforthebahamas.
What is with people of today? I am not talking about millennials or any generation in particular. I am talking about people in general. I am talking about America and how many don't seem to know how to help their neighbors. I am talking about how so many people think that by posting about the people who need help rather than helping them is better than donating to good causes or traveling to help a country less fortunate than ours is good .
We know how to show our sympathy but not how to actually help those that have been effected by such tragic events. We know how to show to those who we have graduated with that we are praying but not how to actually pray. We know how to cry but not how to help.
This is the hashtag generation. This is not defined by the year you were born but your attitude. This is defined by how you react to tragic events. Do you hashtag? Do you act? A lot of people don't. A lot of people know how to make people think that they feel sorry for these less fortunate places, but they don't know how to help them.
Over the years you may have noticed that many of your "friends" on Facebook post a lot about praying for areas affected by tragic events, but what do they do? Do they proceed with their lives as usual? Or do they help rebuild and reboot? Many of them don't even know where to begin to help because they never have.
If you feel sorry for a friend, what do you do? You help them out. Help out our neighbor countries and friends, don't just say you feel sorry for them.