Are all rescue efforts equal?

The Titan submersible

Carilyn Pointer - A submersible enroute to visit the remains of the Titanic imploded killing the 5 passengers on board. The accident garnered international attention as people waited for updates. Many attempts were made to save the rich businessmen on board. In contrast, a few days prior 500 migrants drowned when their fishing boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to make the perilous journey to safety. Apparently, hardly any effort was made to save them. The disparity between the rescue efforts has sparked conversation on what created that gap in media attention.

The material power of the 5 victims of the “Titan” compared to the poverty of the drowned refugees has been one proposed factor. Material power looks at things to define power, such as money. Since the submersible victims were billionaires and the migrants lacked that power and influence of money, many suspect it is a demonstration of unequal distribution of wealth and the privileges associated with that power. Another plausible factor is the concept of national identity. National identity is the idea that each person has a sense of attachment to a nation, and to some extent that nation has a responsibility to them. The migrants are fleeing their country of origin and seeking asylum in a foreign country. The lack of national identity may contribute to the lack of rescue efforts. With no one country laying claim or responsibility for their lives, it can be east to defer the responsibility to protect and leave these people defenseless. In contrast, Canada has a tradition of being responsible for people exploring the wreck of the Titanic,

Regardless of what has caused the inequality experienced by the victims, this recent incident has sparked important conversations. Many are wondering how to better help refugees, regardless of material power or national identity. Hopefully, this can lead to actions that can prevent further disasters and more awareness for the future.

_{Photo Credit: Madelgarius, via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0}