Blame is not the answer

The Oh Really Factor
By Maurice O. Ndole
The Collegian

As the operations to recover dead bodies, pump out stagnant storm waters ....andhelp evacuees piece together what is left of their lives continue to pick up speed in the Gulf Coast states, blame and criticism remains to be apportioned to the local government in the affected states and many individuals in the Federal government.

But blaming and criticizing is not my forte; at least not this time. This time can be better spent recognizing the noble efforts of some of our student groups and the actions of the California State University system in offering to help the victims.

Fraternities such as Omega Psi Phi and Sigma Nu and the Delta Sigma Theta sorority did not wait for others to react to Hurricane Katrina, a disaster that some have described as the worst in U.S. history. As the news of the magnitude of the disaster spread, they knew exactly what to do: go out and get students to help.

They set up a table in the Free Speech area and started collecting donations to support the hurricane victims. Students responded in great numbers, I remember walking by the Delta Sigma Theta table and noticing two glass jars filled with dollar bills donated by students.

The effort of these three student groups demonstrates that we don’t need to be corporations to help the needy in our society. We all can follow the student groups’ great example and contribute in our unique way. The assistance doesn’t have to be in the form of money. We can donate blood, clothing and many other basic needs. If you cannot make a personal donation, you can help by encouraging friends or relatives to contribute to the cause.

The CSU system also deserves credit for offering students from universities affected by the hurricane a home in California universities.

Despite the fact that Fresno State is not among the universities offering to take in students, the university’s response to the situation has been encouraging. The school agreed to admit students on a case-to-case basis. Already there are at least three students who have been admitted to the school.

Though it is easier to blame and point accusing fingers at authorities for their obvious failure in reacting to the disaster, helping the victims and participating in solving the crisis should be our top priority.