Health Fitness Revolution, as a Houston-based organization feels the need to stand up to the inaccuracy of the recent cover of Charlie Hebdo making fun on the recent Harvey devastation in Houston.
The controversial cover translates to “God Exists! He drowned all the Neo-Nazis of Texas!” The reason this is so awful is that it not only cheapens the lives lost in tragedy, but it is also grossly inaccurate.
Here are the FACTS: Houston, Texas is THE MOST diverse city in the entire United States of America, has a black, Democratic mayor (who has been doing a phenomenal job during this crisis) and a powerfully pro-immigrant population — who Mayor Turner, an attorney, said he would personally defend if they got asked immigration status during rescues.
Only 25% of the city’s population is white and demographic scientists project that the rest of the U.S. will look as diverse as Houston by 2050. Health Fitness Revolution’s founder Samir Becic says: “During this time, the city of Houston has come together regardless of race, religion, and political affiliation. We are all hurting this time and working hard to lift each other up- I wish the rest of the world would follow suit with the same positivity I have seen over the past week!”
Here’s what has happened: Since Friday, Harvey dumped more than 50 inches of rain on Texas. More than any storm ever in the continental US! Two Houston-area dams overflowed, adding to the city’s already-extreme flooding. Houston’s mayor imposed a curfew to cut down on looting and keep drivers off the roads.
As the insensitive Charlie Hebdo cover was released, rescue workers were and are still responding to emergency calls to save people. They’ve saved more than 15,000 people in the Houston area so far. At least 37 people have been killed, and the death toll is likely to rise. Tens of thousands are expected to need shelter, with tens of thousands already in shelters across the city of Houston.
P.S. When tragedy and terrorism hit Charlie Hebdo two years ago, we expressed our full support and solidarity with them.
