What If...

Everyone should show some type of sympathy or support for victims of major disasters no matter where they occurred, but when unpreventable disasters happen to one's own country, then their state of caring seems to increase. If the Haitian earthquake had happened in Washington, D.C. instead, I am pretty sure more Americans would be more willing to help. Most people care more about objects, places, and people that they are related to somehow. Someone is more likely to care if a disaster happens in their own backyard rather than if that same devastating disaster occurred in some random country that one has no major connection to. Most Americans take pride in their country despite what the world may think about its methods in global issues. American earthquake victims may have been better off than the Haitian victims. Economically, the United States is much more financially independent than Haiti. Therefore, more of the nation's money could go to aid in the crises and more resources would be available to those in need. The world would lend its usual helping hand as well, but there would definitely be more of a domestic effort in support than Haiti had when it came to tangible items (food, water, shelter, medical supplies, etc.). As a struggling nation, Haiti is not as advanced or readily equipped to deal with major catastrophes as other more powerful nations, such as the United States and other Westernized countries are. The city of Washington, D.C. itself would obviously be destroyed, but there would be a greater amount of resources available in an attempt to rebuild. Despite cultural and financial differences between Haiti and the United States, the people that called which ever country home would provide constant support whether or not they were affected. Everyone would play a role even if it was a minor one. No matter where someone is from, everyone should try to keep good fortunes in mind.