Reality TV you didn’t want to see
It’s been surreal watching the horrific impact of the forces of nature these
past few days as they unfold on our television screens. Those made for TV disasters
movies pale by comparison. To have refugee Americans on American soil is a concept
The Three Tomatoes are still struggling with -- and they’re the “fortunate” ones. Our hearts are
heavy and our thoughts and prayers are with the tens of thousands of people who
have lost so much and the many who are
still desperately trying to survive. So it just was not in us to write of things
silly and trivial this week.
The Three Tomatoes is not about the politics of this tragedy -- we will leave that to the pundits
and politicos. But let us not forget that the people who are suffering the most
are the people who did not have the means or the wherewithal to evacuate. They’re
black. They’re poor. They desperately need our help.
We applaud the media for their extraordinary coverage of this catastrophe. But
for every story of a looter there are no doubt dozens of stories of average people
who have done heroic things. We hope the news media will find those stories and
report on them in a little more abundance. And while we’re talking about the
news media, we implore them to stop exploiting the grief of people who have lost
loved ones, or who are still searching for loved ones.
We’ve always loved the city of New Orleans -- the French Quarter, the beautiful
Garden District, the fantastic food, the jazz. But those are the “things” of
New Orleans -- its real heart and soul is its wonderful people and it’s those
people who will bring New Orleans back. As New Yorkers who lived through 9/11
we understand that on a very deep and profound level. And as New Yorker’s we
will reach out and help.
So what can you do right now? We believe the best way you can help is go
online now, and make a MONEY contribution to a credible organization like
The American Red Cross. The Red Cross is currently operating more than 250 shelters across seven
states, providing a safe haven for nearly 42,000 evacuees (and growing) – many
who have been left homeless by Katrina. Their first priority is meeting the urgent,
critical needs of those people, which include providing emergency shelter, food
and water. Every dollar contribution will help!
God Bless!
©2005. The Three Tomatoes. All rights reserved.
