"IT IS better to give than receive", says a Biblical injunction. In the face of the incredible displays of suffering and diminution of spirit being played out before the eyes of the world in the hurricane-afflicted areas of Louisiana and Mississippi in the southern United States, that old saying may well have to be turned on its head.Accustomed to being the giver rather than the receiver, the American administration seems to be politely ignoring offers of help from others willing and anxious to give assistance. Referring would-be donors to the Red Cross or the Federal Emergency Management Agency is not the response allies are expecting. They want to help AMERICA.
Perhaps Washington was 'scared off' by the offer of assistance from Venezuela President Hugo Chavez, who is certainly not on their 'good neighbour' list. Whatever the reason, America has felt it can go it alone, to clean up the enormous mess and bring normality back to the affected areas. So far, it seems far from getting the situation under control. Indeed, the popular perception is that things are worsening, a belief buttressed by the images of suffering combined with anger which fill television screens for all the world to see. There is hopeful talk of what is to be done in the long term, but it is actualising alleviation in the short term which seems elusive.
The Administration is missing the opportunity to accept graciously the gifts offered by friends who are responding not to power, but human need. It has been said that persons of substance - and one would add, nations - that are usually on the giving end find it hard to accept from others. America has been generous in its response to others in times of disaster. Now it is their turn to be assisted, not because they are poor, but because help can come in many forms. There is some talk that at the level of the United Nations, help may be offered, if only, one imagines, to relieve the scenes of anguish and pain. It should be interesting to see what Washington's response would be.
The longer the tragic images of New Orleans and Biloxi remain before us, the more baffled people are at this view of a nation whose vulnerability is rarely revealed. Washington may find itself haunted also by accusations of racism rising yet again in the South.
The overwhelming number of displaced persons seen on TV are black. Even if race is not a factor, in the treatment of disaster victims - and we do not believe it to be so - the scenes of appalling distress involving one sector of the population make it easy for the accusation of colour bias to be made.
It cannot be easy for the pride of America to hear comments about sections of their own land and people taking on the appearance of a Third World country. For the good of all, therefore, it is to be fervently hoped that the situation will be brought under control with the greatest dispatch.
