The Soapbox and Hurricane Floyd
By Catie Gosselin Last week, Hurricane Floyd came calling on the Eastern Coast of the U.S. Fortunately, by the time it reached my house it was downgraded to a tropical storm and only left a lot of water and some unreliable Internet connections. While watching it fly up the coast from the tropics, however, it became a very personal experience. It wasn't just a threat to some other people. The WomanLinks discussion lists were filled with members sharing news, checking in on each other's safety, and offering help whenever possible. When I heard the storm's predicted effect on Florida, my first thought wasn't to shuffle it to the back of my head because it didn't effect me. I worried about Lisa, Kristin, and Lucinda. Strangely, I probably wouldn't know these women if I met them on the street, but I still "know" them. The Internet gives us an opportunity to share the little intimacies of good friends while cloaked in anonymity when desired. I know that one woman calls her daughter Peanut, the other knows a ton about herbs and horses, and another has a dry wit that leaves tears in my eyes. Despite the fact they live miles away, they are very real people to me. I feel like I could sit down in a room with them and talk very comfortably. Floyd reminded me that whenever disaster or great joys occur, it is not just another sound bite on CNN. There are real people and real families involved. When you hear of the violence in East Timor, although it is half way around the world, it may as well be in your own back yard-a mother with children the same age as yours fears for her safety. When the local news reports that yet another woman has been killed at the hand of her estranged boyfriend, somewhere a woman who loves reading the same books as you mourns for her sister. It took the intimacy/anonymity of the Internet and the fury of Floyd to remind me that newsclips and quick snappy blurbs don't tell the whole story. Real people with real fears, strengths and value are behind each and every headline. Knowing this makes it a little harder to look away, and move onto the next thing.
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