Continuing to Help Japan Through Social Media

By Lauren Haberkorn

Images from http://www.sxsw4japan.org

When the word spread of the disasters in Japan, the whole world looked to do what they could to help. Years ago, helping others on another continent would have been difficult. Today, social media makes it easier to help out.

The organizers of SXSW, the annual music, film and emerging technology festival that takes place in Austin, Texas each year, sought to raise $100,000 by developing a special website aimed at meeting their goal: sxsw4japan.org. Not only did they reach their goal, they exceeded it, raising *$105,000 for relief efforts.

These examples of social media aimed at doing good, can be applied to any endeavor. Anyone can identify their community or audience, formulate a succinct and powerful message, and then use social media to send out that message in a matter of seconds. Though there are arguments against the benefits in social media, it can be proven that it has done many good things in today’s world. It is likely that an entire generation will continue to use social media to reach out to each other and make powerful changes in our world.

Questions In the Wake of Disaster

By Kimberly Zawada

Rescue workers search for survivors in Japan. Photo source: UK Guardian.

Japan. So many people hurt, lost, and in pain. Where are all the trees?  How do you locate the spot your house was on without land markers or street signs? No matter how much people prepare for disaster one can never prepare the heart.

Will the world be as generous to them as they were to Haiti? Three disasters for one country. It took US years to overcome 9/11, and that was just one disaster. Will their economy survive? Will the world’s economy survive?

Now comes the goodness of mankind. What is it like to receive such kindness? Is it overwhelming or never enough?

I would imagine each culture, each generation, accepts it differently. Maybe it is not considered kindness, but something else, when it is forced upon you. So I watch this unfold, live and before my eyes.

How can you not be moved?

Kimberly M. Zawada is the Business Manager in the Diederich College of Communication’s Department of Student Media.