That's a Thinker.... *EDITED*

Recently in my in-box; the following.

Let's Say I Break Into Your House.
Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely.Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.
Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house). According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me. Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?!

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OK, so I agree with this.... to a point. I think the issue is larger then this lets on, though. A candid representation, this story just barely touches on the issue at hand, and that issue is responsibility. Your country sucks so you want to come here. I get that. When you get here you do the crap jobs that none of "us" want to do, so there is a place in society for you. Is it our responsibility to make that place? Should we learn to fill those roles ourselves? How about your country.. What is it's responsibility?

OK, so here's my "thing". Recently, as many of you know, I have adopted a "cause".

Bosum Buddies

is a charity based in South Africa in support of new mothers. *climbs on soapbox* We, as human beings, have a duty to support one another. These new mothers have nothing. They live in the poorest and most crime infested of areas. Many of these babies are the products of rape. Many of these mothers are but children themselves. They have NOTHING. Most of them leave that tiny hospital with nothing but their child and return to their home with nothing but despair. Is that my fault? Did I cause that?

Are they my responsibility?

Who knows. In my heart, I can't leave them to their own. I have taken it upon myself to help these moms in any way I can. I have a 100lb goal. I want to gather 100lb of supplies.. Clothes, cloth diapers, feminine products etc. to send to this group to give to these mothers.

Mothers. Can you IMAGINE having a brand new baby and 6 hours OR LESS being sent home from the hospital to NOTHING. No diapers, no pads, no clothes, no crib, no support, NOTHING. Mothers. Can you IMAGINE losing your child, having a stillborn baby, a premature baby that dies... And being kicked out of the hospital with NOTHING. No medical aid, no maternal comforts, no support. NOTHING. You just have to go back out into that violence and poverty. Alone.

So. I do what I can. I think, as a fellow mother, human being, it is my responsibility to do what I can to support.

It is easy to look the other way, to do nothing, to complain. People flock to the United States in the thousands every year to try to HELP THEMSELVES because their own countries aren't helping them. Can you blame them for coming here? For fighting to stay here? Does that make it right? No. We could just turn a blind eye to the big problem and send everyone home, make legal immigration that much harder, make life "easier" for us. Or we could help. Help these countries set up aid programs. Help these countries help themselves. Then maybe people wouldn't be in such a rush to leave.

One person at a time. These changes can be made.

I'm taking a step. Your turn.
* Steps down from soapbox*


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If you want to contribute to my shipment to Bosum Buddies, please mail your gifts of aid to:

Sabrina Merritt
851 ne Nickernut Ave
Redmond, OR 97756

Talk to friends and family. Everyone has a little to contribute, and you put my little with your little and we end up with a lot. Think of the difference we could make.

****************************See, Y'all, this is exactly what I'm talking about. One comment. One. I feel rather safe venting here as no one reads the old stuff again so no one will see this but MY GOD, PEOPLE! I know a large group of people. I know you are reading this, I know you are THERE. Yet NO ONE steps up to the plate. The lovely Jen did comment ( thanks jen!) BUT NO ONE ELSE. This is what I mean. We have this ugilness all around us, people need help. What do you do? nothing. What to see a change? want things to be different? then get off your ass and MAKE the difference. You have no right to complain if you do nothing to help.
A couple of months ago I had a post calling for aid for baby Aiden and his family in their time of crises. I asked for monitary donations or words of support. Imagine my disappointment when not ONE PERSON I KNOW IN REAL LIFE OR ONLINE WHO READS MY BLOG even made the teenie tiny effort of posting a supportive comment either here or on the referenced blog. Not one of you. You just don't care, not even enough to post a simple "i'm sorry for your loss". I think this attitude is the root of what is in error in our society. Too many people do nothing. Too many people rely on the government to help, give aid, etc. What about YOU? OK, rant over.