well I had a plan to write about autonomy and dedicate this post to Robbie Barnett, but just after I began writing I had to leave to take the little one to the beach. I lost all inspiration to discuss my autonomy or lack there of, and as for Robbie- this is for you baby.
Instead, lets talk about solidarity. Spain has it, America doesn´t. While we were getting on a plane in Croatia a woman collapsed onto my heels and began convulsing. I gaped and sort of opened and closed my mouth like a fish, her husband held her and sort of cried, and her children just stood there. It took ages before anyone even moved to help, while I recovered and the rest of the Spanish party I was traveling with screamed for doctors and help and such. Croatia, apparently, has no solidarity either. Daily I struggle for topics of conversation that wont make me look: stupid, american, naive, etc.. Today we talked about the recent plane crash in Madrid, which killed more than 150 people. On the news they showed a reporter accosting the friends and family members of the victims and although I couldnt understand a majority of the questions, I was dumbfounded by the blunt and invasive behavior of this Spanish television station. However, when I brought this up today at lunch I learned that Spain has one of the highest organ and blood donor counts of any other country. Not only that, but when even the smallest tradegy strikes Spaniards are always rushing to help. I was reminded of a news story that my mom and I discussed before I left. It was about an old, old man who was hit by two cars and the people on the street simply stood and watched. No one called the police or an ambulance and no one moved to help him even though he was an active member in the community and many people knew and loved him. Its absurd that something like that could happen anywhere.
Im watching family guy in spanish.
I cant see how anyone can even understand the american references, like Dick Cheney shooting his hunting partner and things of that nature.
We go back to Madrid in one week and Im ecstatic to start language school and buy things for my birthday. Im pulling for family kareoke- I havent had a good hard laugh in such a long time.
m.issme
Listen To This: Eyes On You!
7 years ago
3 comments:
Very interesting and true. I know our country did have solidarity many years ago. WW1 and WW2 vets were respected and revered. People that were allowed voted in elections. When laws were passed that allowed everyone to vote they did so with pride and the pure joy of living in a free, democratic country. Now, there are some who do not watch the news as they do there. They are apathetic about what is happening in OUR country and the world. The same people do not know who the presidential candidates pick to be the VP nor do they care. They don't bother to vote. The rest of the world knows more about our political situation than most of our country. That is because our leaders impact the world. Why are so many people apathetic? I do not know but I do know that you can do your part even though you are one person. If everyone would rid themselves of the thought that one person can't make a change we would make huge changes! The Olympics did bring pride to our country thatwill last for a short time. Our country won the most medals and our athletes are not born and raised to compete. If they are the superstars they get endorsements, otherwise, they have to find money and sponsers to train day after day for years. We are so fortunate to live in this amazing country. Instead of complaining we need to make changes beginning with ourselves. If we live abroad we should send for an absentee ballot now. We should vote in all elections, local, state and federal. We should hold each other up instead of dragging each other down. Think more about your neighbor, co-worker, friend, then yourself. When we live that way we will become a nation of solidarity.
yes well, voting has nothing to do with being a good person. i dont believe that caring about politics in one way or another will bring empathy to the people of any country. Im afraid that living in the inflated ego of our free country has hurt us the most. we are independent as a country, as people, and therefore we´re not required to lend a hand to a man thats been run over by 2 cars. let someone else deal with that.
spain is independent but maybe their solidarity comes from their past and the way they raise their children. i would hope that you, lindsay and ben would have helped that man that was hit without even thinking about it. i do agree that we can change things for the better and show people compassion, pride and love of others and our country by living it and being an example. what do you think?
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