:(

It's true ... When tragedy affects people who appear more similar to us, we are more affected.

Had this discussion recently about how race plays a factor in how richer nations view tragedies and how strong their response is.   

I admit that even though I am saddened when I hear of a disaster that strikes anywhere in the world, I tend to be even more haunted when I see victims who I imagine are like my relatives and friends.   And of course, like me too. 

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is extremely disturbing.  One can't help but read about the people on that flight manifest.  I see Facebook pictures of the beautiful Indian-Chinese Canadian couple and their little boys (I believe the boys are safe and didn't board the flight).  The quintessential modern Canadian family.  Then there's the Asian female engineer who is around my age. No pictures of her, but the descriptions people give are of an intelligent and pleasant woman with a great smile who is rising up in her company, travels a lot for work and just purchased a house on her own (apparently she is unmarried).   She could be me or any of my single hardworking girlfriends!  Most of the people on that flight are counterparts of people in my life that I encounter everyday. 

Just everyday innocent folks ... on vacation ... on business.. 

What the hell happened to that flight?  I pray and hope for the best case, that the victims are stranded somewhere and surviving.  And if this was an attempted hijack, then I hope that the victims are stranded somewhere and surviving, and that they have successfully beat the @#$@#@#$#!@# out of the hijackers.