Can you imagine Americans responding like this?

Question

The beauty of the response of the tourists on the beach fills one with hope, as one is overwhelmed by the despair of the Africans' lives.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/spain/article/0,,1834654,00.html

Please share the stories of Americans acting this way. Every day? I've never seen it once.

I know we are a generous people. I'm specifically talking about wading into the water to rescue illegal immigrants, sharing their water and possessions, and driving people to the hospital in their own cars.

That's a great response about the German tourists!

Thanks for the info on the africans going into camps. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4314784.stm

Interesting point about Mexico, Africa, and oppression. Would it change your mind if you understood what's going on in Mexico and has been for a century? Just last year, the government slaughtered peasant flower sellers who were peacefully protesting (ie continuing to sell flowers) the govt's demand that the peasants pay a fee to sell their flowers. The oppression of the people in the Chiapas region is legal theft of their resources and no govt services. The govt is corrupted by the drug trade. Rape and murder of young women is tolerated by the govt on the Jaurez border, because of all the factories making things for El Norte. The USA overthrew the govt's of regions of Mexico that have tried to become democratic socialists through their own votes. And, of course, you know many "Mexicans" are central/south americans, and we even funded death squads in countries there which murdered nuns and a bishop at the altar.

Answer 1

we do everyday. look at our borders...cubans, dominicans and haitins show up everyday. where have you been? los?

Answer 2

Americans please read beyond your corrupted media.

Please accept that an open mind and tolerance are the beginning of wisdom.

Americans are not bad people but the deeds of their Government, especially the CIA and the armed forces are.

America dominates the World as did Rome two thousand years ago. With power comes responsibility. This is personal responsibility for every American who votes or doesn't vote. Who campaigns or doesn't campaign. Who educates or doesn't educate. Who speaks or doesn't speak. Who writes or doesn't write.

The charade that is American "democracy" is simply an imprimatur to legitimise Government by the wicked and the wealthy.

Answer 3

Its funny that those on a beach responded like that considering Spain often harasses black players during football and immigration is one of the most contentious issues there, generally the population is at odds with the government and many of those men on the beach will spend a lot of their time in detention centres and walking the streets without any real rights.

Answer 4

I can imagine that some would, but I seriously believe most would move to another part of the beach if the people on the boat were from i.e. Haiti. It is highly probably that Cuban-Americans or other Latinos would assist Cuban or Dominican refugees if they landed on a Florida beach.

I mean, it's just not something that white people in the US do. It doesn't mean they're evil or anything, it just means they are afraid of foreigners - especially those with dark skin.

By the way, there was a comment about people from Haiti arriving every day. Actually, the US Coast Guard has patrol boats in Haitian waters to keep Haitians from leaving, since 2002. They do not get anywhere near U.S. waters.

PS: For anyone who thinks I'm wrong, read the "Best Answers" by Americans in response to any question about illegal immigrants. Every single one states zero tolerance for illegal immigration and most go farther than just hinting that they would rather let them die than let them in.

Answer 5

Perhaps your much too young to remember the Cuban refugee
flotilla when 250.OOO.00 came to Florida shores..I don't really understand the point of your question, because the fact is most
African refugees will be put in holding camps and sent back home !

Answer 6

I absolutely believe Americans would have responded the same way. We have stories of selfless heroism every day. They just do not get reported nationally, but we know about them in our own communities. The world may not like our politics, but Americans are generous and do help the unfortunate persons who cross our paths.

Answer 7

It *does* fill one with hope.

That said, I can imagine individual Americans responding like this. I've seen it before, in times of crisis. However, I can't imagine the American government letting the refugees get close enough to wash ashore.

ETA: The obvious example, of course, is 9/11 -- how accountants and human resource managers were taking the time to carry a person in a wheelchair down 20+ flights of steps, in the Twin Towers, when they could have gotten out faster by leaving the disabled person behind. There were dozens of those stories shared. Another is the man who jumped onto the subway tracks a few weeks ago to save someone who'd passed out there--he didn't wait to find out if the unconscious man was American or not, he just jumped down in front of an oncoming train and shielded the man with his own body. America has also taken in some of the "Lost Boys of Sudan."

Answer 8

I have seen the American people open their hearts, their homes and their pocket books to so many people from so many different nations. Americans respond to every crisis all over the world.They are generous to a fault.They help
millions of people all over the world on a daily basis.yes I can imagine Americans reacting to the poor people and helping them .After all we do it every day. .

Answer 9

You won't see this from Americans because Mexicans, unlike Africans, are not being persecuted in their own country, Mexico is not war torn and ravaged, reeking of genocide. Sorry honey, it makes a big difference and by comparing the two countries and their citizens you are down playing the importance of the problems in Africa.

Answer 10

0

The USA and it's citizens give more money , food and Medicine to the world than all other countries combined.




2/06/07: U.S. Provides Emergency Flood Assistance to Indonesia
02/05/07: On-the-Record Briefing by Director for U.S. Foreign Assistance and USAID Administrator Randall C. Tobias and Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Resource Management Bradford R. Higgins - "On The FY 2008 Budget"
02/05/07: Remarks by Ambassador Randall L. Tobias, Director of U.S. Foreign Assistance & USAID Administrator, at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, Washington, D.C. - A Strategic Approach to Addressing Poverty & Global Challenges: We are in this together
02/02/07: USAID Ranks Among Top 10 Agencies in Federal Survey
01/29/07: USAID Names Dr. Bernard Nahlen to be Deputy Coordinator, President's Malaria Initiative
01/26/07: USAID Wins Awards for Effective Communications Abroad
01/26/07: United States Assistance to Lebanon
01/23/07: U.S. Provides Emergency Flood Assistance to Bolivia
01/18/07: U.S. Provides Emergency Flood Assistance to Malaysia
01/18/07: Douglas Menarchik Designated to be Acting USAID Assistant Administrator
01/18/07: USAID Staffers Spread Spirit of Service Across the Globe
01/17/07: USAID Swears In New Mission Director for Macedonia

The U.S. government has made the fight against HIV/AIDS a top priority, not only for humanitarian reasons, but because the HIV/AIDS crisis threatens the prosperity, stability, and development of nations around the world. USAID has funded almost $6 billion since inception of its international HIV/AIDS program in 1986, more than any other public or private organization. USAID currently has HIV/AIDS programs in nearly 100 countries worldwide.

Answer 11

They were German tourists. What do they care if more refugees show up in Spain?