The Right Thing

It is often the case that trivialities will grasp our Nation’s full attention for much more than the obligatory fifteen minutes.  Witness Charlie Sheen’s million Twitter followers for recent proof of our collective idiocy.  But, occasionally, the media outlets of America will suddenly and emphatically focus on the exact “right thing”.  And, this focus, however short-lived, delivers a sharp smack on the back of our heads and serves to remind us of what makes us noble and human.

In the past week, our newspapers, radio, television, and Internet have all turned to the very real crisis in Japan.  First came America-centric, fear-based news reporting as usual.  The focus was on “What does this mean to Us?” and “How will I be affected?”  We endured endless coverage on the possible impact of the tragedy on our own shores, affects to our own property, and inconveniences to our own citizens.  Me.  Me.  Me.  But, then, the media threw a switch and some clarity as to the real issue at hand emerged.  The Japanese people, their personal tragedies, strong sense of community, rich culture, undeniable courage, and tremendous national pride became the story.  It became a human story.

How a person or a people respond to a tragedy is always the real story.  Sometimes the media forgets.  Sometimes the media remembers, but, We The People… the readers, listeners, and viewers… are not interested – we change the channel or surf to the next website.  This time, we both got it right.

The voluminous outpouring of support, words of praise, and best wishes for comfort became the unified American Message.  There are countless examples of “everyday Joes and Janes” writing powerful letters to newspapers, calling in to radio and TV stations, and leaving poignant comments on blogs with words of hope for the Japanese people affected by the tragedy.

Sometimes we do the right thing.