Ten Things You Can Do

[Guest guest]

Forgive me for the intrusion, but I thought this article may be

helpful to some..

 

Feel free to trash or disseminate as you see fit.

MSNBC ran a 10 Things You Can Do piece that had some

things in it I didn't quite agree with, so I decided

to create my own...

 

Thank you and Goddess bless….

 

TEN THINGS YOU CAN DO IN RESPONSE TO THE 9-11 TRAGEDY

 

By Lynda L. Hinkle

Lynda_hinkle

 

1. Combat misinformation. Check your facts before

sending out an email or sharing new information with

friends, family and co-workers. It's important that we

all remain calm and not try to add unfounded fears and

concerns to our already deeply wounded national

character. Before you pass on any information,

particularly negative information, try to verify it as

much as possible and think about the consequences of

that information for the people you are sending it to.

2. Fight prejudice. Arab-Americans and

Indian-Americans are just that: Americans. They are

not the enemy. Not only is it our responsibility to

not promote ethnic stereotypes and add to the

prejudices that have caused so many of these innocent

people to be the victims of vilification on the

streets, it is also our responsibility to argue

against any such stereotyping that we hear among our

friends and family. Question assumptions. Argue for

calm, clear heads.

3. Call leaders and press into accountability when

they promote misinformation and prejudice.

4. Prudently and generously give to the relief effort.

Make sure you are donating funds and supplies only to

valid groups like the Red Cross, Salvation Army or the

New York 9-11 Fund. Check out helping.org for more

information on valid relief organizations. Give

whatever you can. Organize gifts from your workplace

or among your family or social groups.

5. If you are able, give blood. Make an appointment

with the Red Cross at 800-GIVE-LIFE. You've heard this

one before.

6. The President suggests that we go to our churches,

our synagogues and mosques. But not all Americans are

of religions that meet in buildings, and not all

Americans are religious. We are, however, all

citizens of the United States and of the World.

Instead of offering up prayers, offer up love. Check

on friends who are no doubt as distressed as you are

over this tragedy. Help a neighbor. Go volunteer to

give out food at your local shelter. Any service we

provide that builds up any American is the greatest

act of patriotism civilians can proffer.

7. Become well informed. American citizens will be

called upon to support initiatives across the world

over the coming months. Know what you are supporting.

Understand to the best of your ability our global

role.

8. Support your local economy. As the economy

struggles to recover from the blow of this tragedy,

local vendors will be the hardest hit. Losing those

smaller vendors now will be disaster for free trade in

the future, so protect them.

9. Remember your local fire and police associations.

You may need them someday, as the people of New York

have had sorrowfully demonstrated.

10. The military will be called upon heavily. Remember

that their families will need support, love, and

strengthening as much as the families of those who

lost people in the World Trade Center and the

Pentagon. Offer kindness to those whose sacrifices

may be required to protect our nation.