Paradox

A Royal Caribbean cruise ship docks in the north of Haiti. Passengers feel “disturbed.” They think there is something, hmm, shall we say coldhearted about their enjoying pina coladas on the beach when they know that less than 100 miles away, people are trapped in rubble and having appendages amputated. The big wig of Royal Caribbean responds on their website. He says they bring much needed economic perks to the region and are helping deliver supplies to the victims.

I found this article interesting because it highlights the paradox that is western affluence. Hearing about the horrors in Haiti one isn’t sure whether to feel guilty or blessed. Are we lucky that this hasn’t happened to us, or should we feel guilty that we live in a country that isn’t already ravaged by hunger and is large enough that when disaster strikes, help is close at hand? Though, I’m sure the victims of hurricane Katrina didn’t feel guilty for living in the U.S.

I’m prone to agree with the Royal Caribbean big wig. Americans aren’t going to stop taking vacations just because there’s a horrible disaster in Haiti, but they WILL feel squeamish about seeing their own decadence in light of such a disaster. If the cruise line docked anywhere else, it wouldn’t change the fact that the passengers were having a lovely vacation while people were dying – not so very far away. And if the ship is indeed bringing needed supplies to the region it seems like the right decision, though not so popular a decision, for the company to make.

I’m having difficulty categorizing the passengers’ responses, however. Do I look upon them with disgust, attributing their own “disturbed” feeling to a desire to remain oblivious to what’s happening rather than facing it for what it is? Or should I view it as a natural human reaction to inequality? Much like healthy human beings should be appalled by the horrific violence of the holocaust?

I woke up a couple mornings ago with an overwhelming feeling of luck, or good karma, or something. As I rode my bicycle to school, I thought about how blessed/lucky I was. Jesus said not to be astounded by bad things happening in the world, but rather to be astounded by the fact that they haven’t happened to you. I still haven’t figured out why he said this, but that’s no surprise. When I’m home, I live in one of the most advanced countries in the world. Even in Japan, I live in such a country. Good grief, they have iPods, KFC, and fiber optic internet here. I have a place to live, a job, an education, a bicycle (;P), and plenty to eat. I have 2 coats. I have so much family, it would be very difficult to ever be homeless. It’s so good, it’s “disturbing.”

But maybe Jesus said that because it’s not about where you live or who you were born to be. In the flash of a bomb, all of this could change. It wouldn’t even take that, actually. A car accident could turn my world upside down. So maybe it is a matter of feeling blessed, thankful, and aware. Aware that life is something to be enjoyed for today.