It's A Razor-Thin Line

There are the people who contact me wanting to know where they can send money to help those who've been devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

And there are the people who contact me to say: "Screw 'em. Everyone was told to evacuate. Those who were stupid enough to stay don't deserve 'free handouts."

It's a razor-thin line between looting and surviving.

I'm not talking about the low-life's helping themselves to electronics and jewelry.

But if pilfering bread, diapers and something to drink is looting, then I'd bet we'd all be looters in similar circumstances.

Also interesting is how the media fuels the nation's racial imagery.

Here's one news photos of a white couple with the caption: "Two residents wade through chest-deep water after finding bread and soda from a local grocery store..."

Here's another photo of a black man with the caption: "A young man walks through chest-deep water after looting a grocery store..."

It's a razor-thin line between selfish and selfless.

As in those who think if the rest of the world doesn't help us now when we need help, it can go to hell the next time something happens and it expects us to help.

Yes, it's a razor-thin line.

And all it takes is a hurricane to show how close to the edge we really are.

Want to share your thoughts with Ken Schram? You can e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com