Iraq’s Kurds and U.S. Homeless

As a volunteer for Operation California/USA, a Los Angeles-based international relief organization, I have noticed an overall lack of public response to donating funds to combat the Kurdish problem. Though offers have been made by many citizens for donations of clothing and shoes, financial contributions (which are always the most needed) have been hard to come by.

There are several reasons for this lack of economic support. First, the media has focused an enormous amount of attention on the U.S. government’s efforts to provide relief to the Kurds. It is not surprising that the public assumes that the government is taking care of everything. Secondly, Americans are now ready to address our own domestic problems, namely the recession. The average American is less willing to part with personal income. We cannot ignore our responsibility in this issue and simply assume that relief agencies will be able to handle it alone. America seems to be set on its course: We won the war, hung our flags and yellow ribbons and offered support to the Kurds; people are now ready to wash their hands of it. This is an illusion that is too simple; it will not meet the needs of the Kurds.

HOLLY E. JONES

Los Angeles