Excited
I haven’t seen the Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar covered here yet, but I just came across the recent CNN article that states the US government is estimating the death count to exceed 100,000, which is five times more than expected. Eek. Plus, it seems like the foreign aid is having trouble getting through to the region, especially as our six cargo helicopters are still awaiting visas in Thailand to enter the country. Eek times a million.
I can’t help but recall the huge tsunami that hit Thailand and Indonesia back in 2004, and the overwhelming amount of press, aid and conversation that it sparked here in the US.
What about Myanmar? I’ve only caught headlines online and very little coverage across blogs. I could be wrong (and do say so) but I’m curious to know everyone’s thoughts about this, especially in lieu of the 2004 disaster. Are we just less aware about global events? The tsunami hit right in the midst of our holiday season–did that create a better environment for Americans to openly address a foreign disaster? Do Thailand’s resort areas cause more concern because there are more likely to be fellow Americans there? Or are we more preoccupied with the upcoming Presidential election? How is the Asian American community responding to this?
The tsunami was clearly a bigger (and totally different) natural disaster, as it’s been reported to have killed over 250,000 people, but I thought I’d seek out your thoughts.
Side note: I also found this article, Burma’s Lucky Escape, about how the country was fortunate to escape much of the damage from the tsunami. Kind of creepy to read now, isn’t it?
(Photo courtesy of AFP)
How does this post make you feel?
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Bored
- Sad
- Angry
NOTE: 8Asians.com is a community, and we thank you for being a part of it. While we welcome and appreciate differences in opinion, if you're rude or you're promoting spam, we have a right to edit or delete your comment. Read our comment policy for more information.
If you see a comment that violates the 8Asians.com comment policy, you may flag the comment by mousing over the comment and clicking "FLAG."
My heart goes out to those poor souls, but why shove our aid down their throats. If the government in charge doesn't want our help fine. We'll keep it to ourselves, and save it for our own next disaster.
My heart goes out to those poor souls, but why shove our aid down their throats. If the government in charge doesn't want our help fine. We'll keep it to ourselves, and save it for our own next disaster.
Glad to hear (read?) all of your thoughts! :) I do see the news coverage but I'm probably looking in the wrong places. I just remember EVERYONE talking about the tsunami, both around me and online, and now, not so much.
John, you bring up a really good point about the politics behind the Myanmar government. I only hope the foreign aid finally gets through.
Glad to hear (read?) all of your thoughts! :) I do see the news coverage but I'm probably looking in the wrong places. I just remember EVERYONE talking about the tsunami, both around me and online, and now, not so much.
John, you bring up a really good point about the politics behind the Myanmar government. I only hope the foreign aid finally gets through.
The Myanmar cyclone disaster doesn't seem as big of an event like the tsumanis previously....I think the media has definitely been a bit more mum this time around. Maybe it too "similar" to the tsumani, as John points out?
The Myanmar cyclone disaster doesn't seem as big of an event like the tsumanis previously....I think the media has definitely been a bit more mum this time around. Maybe it too "similar" to the tsumani, as John points out?
I have to disagree with you, Moye, on this one. I think there is a lot of press coverage (I see it everyday featured in major news outlets). I do feel that the amount of coverage is proportional to the scale of the event given everything else that's going on the world, both domestically and internationally.
I have to disagree with you, Moye, on this one. I think there is a lot of press coverage (I see it everyday featured in major news outlets). I do feel that the amount of coverage is proportional to the scale of the event given everything else that's going on the world, both domestically and internationally.
I think the lack of coverage, both in the media as well as on the blogs is for a few reasons. The Myanmar government was not initially receptive to foreign aid and controls the media, so the images foreigners saw was limited to what the government provided. Additionally, because Myanmar / Burma is a tightly controlled regime, foreigners trying to get into Myanmar have been limited. Also, the initial estimates given for the death toll was less than 20,000, which is still too many people, but in comparison to the tsunami, is small comparatively. And yes, there has been a lot of coverage on the Indiana and North Carolina primaries this past week. But this story is starting to bubble up to the top.
I think the lack of coverage, both in the media as well as on the blogs is for a few reasons. The Myanmar government was not initially receptive to foreign aid and controls the media, so the images foreigners saw was limited to what the government provided. Additionally, because Myanmar / Burma is a tightly controlled regime, foreigners trying to get into Myanmar have been limited. Also, the initial estimates given for the death toll was less than 20,000, which is still too many people, but in comparison to the tsunami, is small comparatively. And yes, there has been a lot of coverage on the Indiana and North Carolina primaries this past week. But this story is starting to bubble up to the top.
Custom Search
Recent Posts
- Chinese New Year Lanterns
- Is Kim Jong Un Dead? Assassination Rumors Hit the Internet
- Help Fight Stereoptypes With Asian Crew Clothing
- Deftones’ Chi Cheng Wakes Up From His 3-Year Coma
- SXSW 2012 Has a Nice Handful of Asian Movies
- Woman In China Gives Birth To 15 Lb Baby
- Naruto & Dragonball Now Available On Barnes & Noble Nook
Recent Comments
- : Where is the Love? What if you were to accept what Biffer has to say as a minority talking to the Establisment of Black and... – What if Jeremy Lin Weren't Asian?
- : My reply is actually to "Where is the love?" – What if Jeremy Lin Weren't Asian?
- : Biffer, Here is one thing to notice though. Whites tell us they dont see color. Blacks tell us we as minority are in some ways... – What if Jeremy Lin Weren't Asian?
- : @whereisthelove @Biffer It's not that I'm turning it into a tirade against Blacks but folks seem to be on a lovely Kumbaya trip thinking that... – What if Jeremy Lin Weren't Asian?
- : @PhucDat You've obviously never heard of the "no asians, no fats, no fems" that's commonly referenced in the gay community. It's very frustrating and makes... – Asian Men Have The Highest Salary
APA Events
Feb 16: Adam WarRock and Kirby Krackle: West Cost Tour Dates!!!
Feb 16: (New York, NY) Amar Chitra Katha: Monica Ferrell, Chitra Ganesh, Keshni Kashyap, and Himanshu “Heems” Suri of Das Racist
Feb 17: (Los Angeles, CA) All My Sons
Feb 18: (Stanford, CA) Stanford’s 16th Listen to the Silence Conference- Feb 18: (San Francisco, CA) NAAAP-SF Lunar New Year Gala 2012
Feb 25: (Los Angeles, CA) Past Present I Future Imperatives: Queer Space Time
Mar 3: (New York, NY) Vong Pak’s ‘Electric Shaman’ Concert
Apr 30: (Sacramento, CA) California Asian Pacific Islander Policy Summit 2012: iAdvocate
Staff and Contributors
- Editors
- Ernie Hsiung - Founder, Editor-in-Chief
- Moye Ishimoto - Co-Editor, Editorial
- Joz Wang - Co-Editor, PR & APA Outreach
