Serious answers please; what is your first, instant reaction when you saw on a TV newsreel...?

Question

..an extreme image of poverty, destitution and human misery at its worst. Not intending to spoil anybody's mood here but two images haunt me so much that I cannot sleep;

1. Two decades back in famine-struck Ethiopia, there was this image of an emaciated child who breathes her last before a waiting vulture, as if her imminent death would be less painful compared to the existence. It made me so sick at the stomach (I was in school then)

2. Recently there was a CNN newsreel depicting war-torn Darfur region in Sudan; a mother and her five hungry children - with "no hope" written all over her face - it was horrifying.

Even as we write, there are millions of people around the world who're praying to the skies for someone to reach back or at least, allow them to die peacefully which is also not being sanctioned, is it? The Western World, all the institutions of opulence we see around us are built on this depredation and I shudder to think it even when I eat, drink, sleep.

Answer 1

It hurts. I look at my own children and how healthy and happy they are and can't imagine a life where I couldn't provide that for them.

I think the picture you're talking about in your first description is this one:

http://inmed.us/images/vulture_attacks_child.jpg

If anyone wants to see it, go look, but beware. It's gutwrenching.

Answer 2

It's absolutely shocking that in this day and age there is still that kind of suffering happening. I thank my lucky stars every day that my children are growing up in an economy that, as long as they do their level best and help themselves, will feed and clothe them. I know people moan and whinge about the state of the country but for every one who moans there are at least 20 in the world with real problems.

I think people need to prioritise and enjoy the fact that they are not living in famine and pestulence, scratching for a meagre handful of grain to feed their whole family!!!

Answer 3

It's heartbreaking to see people in our own country going hungry, lost, without hope, just waiting to die. There is need right here at home that is not shown on TV or if it is, it's not portrayed accurately. Most people are one paycheck away from the streets, hoping and praying nothing disastrous happens and no clue of what to do if it does. America cannot save the world when we cannot save our own.

Answer 4

I remember watching news footage of an African child actually dying in the road. My initial reaction was sadness, but I was also angry that someone was filming this poor child dying alone in the street, with no one to hold her. Instead of putting the camera down and cradling her or comforting her during her last moments, the cameraman stood and watched and filmed her. That upset me.

It's appaling that people in their millions are suffering in this way, while footballers and pop stars are earning thousands of pounds a day.

Answer 5

I always try to do what I can and when I see the wages that footballers and celebs etc. get it really makes me angry,it's obscene!
There IS enough food in the world for everyone it's just not being distributed properly and the food that is thrown away is disgusting.This problem cannot be solved by the few.It's heartbreaking.

Answer 6

It's upsetting, and I always try to do my bit by putting my hand in my purseand donating. However, without some constructive works done by the major governments of the world they are images which will continue to horrify the followng generations.

Answer 7

i think that in this day and age there shouldn't be any poverty.all this pop stars and actors whinging on demanding monies from people who have scrimped and scraped all their lives and them with their millions in the bank and dining at the ivy every day,let them put their money into solving this problem instead of crying to everybody else for theirs.it's heartbreaking to watch and made to feel like you don't give a damn,but one person cannot do it on their own.

Answer 8

It makes me kind of sick to my stomach. I have contributed to Darfur and I think I'll send some more.

Answer 9

hurt's so much =,but i'm not responsible cause 90% of what i give goes toward's salories and only 10% goes to the poverty people.
the rich become richer in the name of the poor.

Answer 10

the news has made me cry. a reaction ive had from seeing it was "this should be rated R or maybe even a warning before they show that stuff.."