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Gaza
It is understandable to feel completely helpless and overwhelmed when dealing with such a great humanitarian crisis as the war in #Gaza.
Diffusion of responsibility is a hell of a sociopsychological phenomenon.
For those who are unfamiliar with the term, it was coined following the tragic rape and murder of Kitty Genovese in the early hours of March 13, 1964, by psychologists Bibb Latané and John Darley.
Essentially, it refers to the decreased responsibility of action (not to be confused with apathy) each group member feels when they are part of a group. That is, they assume someone else will take action.
TLDR: https://study.com/learn/lesson/diffusion-of-responsibility.html
As an aside, this commonly happens on social media when someone posts something - say about mental health, disability, racism, poverty, etc. Social media users, even personal friends of the poster, will not respond due to this phenomenon. This can have tragic repercussions, say in the case of someone feeling isolated and suicidal. Having gathered the strength to ask for help, yells into the void. Hearing nothing, they decide no help is available, no one cares and does the unthinkable.
So how do we address it?
One theory is to start by focusing on just one person affected, to feel and show empathy for their plight. Then, expand that empathy to their friends and family. Using this step-by-step method, one can gradually build empathy for all those affected.
Alternatively, when the event feels so indecipherably large and one feels hopeless…
Start working on something small yet positive, or if in a group (say in your own family or friend circle, or with others on PostPoems), assign specific tasks and responsibilities to others - fact-finding, fundraising, monitoring disinformation, checking in on affected parties, etc.
The important thing here is to do. It doesn't have to be much. But as the saying goes, "Many hands make light work".
So sign a petition, call your local member, and demand a ceasefire.
If you are financially able, support an organisation like Médecins Sans Frontières, which cuts out all the political BS and treats anyone who needs it, either side of the conflict.
