I am a Kentuckian.
For some of you that will bring to mind beautiful horses, bourbon and basketball. For others it may be cruel jokes about intelligence and cousins.
The ugliest thing I have ever seen or heard thrown at the people of this Commonwealth is that the devastating floods in Eastern Kentucky are because of the way people voted and not to expect the “blue” states to help us out. Appalachian parents had their children taken by creek that washed away its banks in the middle of the night to become a raging river taking out bridges and some troll thinks it is okay to say that it was because of how they lived.
This hurts more and is uglier than anything I have every seen leveled at my state and my fellow citizens.
Tragedy and heartbreak know no political party. Love, compassion, empathy and human decency know no political party.
In December when tornadoes leveled towns in Western Kentucky and around Bowling Green, the response was overwhelming. The first responders were typically neighbors, regular people who became heroes the moment the deadly storm passed. For weeks people from surrounding counties showed up with chain saws, food and/or a willingness to help. Donations of money, food and hygiene supples poured to support victims. Entire communities came together to lift their neighbors. No one asked how the other voted before helping. Seven months later and we are still serving those that lost everything in the storm. Volunteers are still building homes and supporting services to help those who are striving get back to normal.
If your response to a tragedy is to cry or feel heartbroken for the victims, you are human.
If your response is to pray, you practice your Fatih.
If your response is to give or volunteer, you are a hero.
If your response is to blame the victims for a heartbreakingly deadly natural disaster you are a loser. Close out of Twitter, Facebook or whatever and walk to the nearest mirror. Take a good, hard look at yourself and ask, “What the hell is wrong with you?”
The Yoga Cowgirl 
To me it is unbelievable that anyone would be saying such cruel things about Kentuckians when they are devastated by these floods. We have seen the floods on the new up here and it is heartbreaking. What is wrong with these people? Clearly a lot is wrong with them . They are sad and mean little people.
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Yes, sad and mean. Climate change is here. Now it is not if one will be affected, but when.
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I’ve heard so many individuals on both sides say such awful things. It’s the reason I no longer have a Facebook account. I am deeply sorry for what has occurred down there. Nature has no political agenda. It is a regrettable aspect of all of us failing to care for Mother Earth. I’m sending so much love, light, and healing to everyone in your community. Xoxo
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If we all focused more on empathy and compassion and not “right” and “wrong” the world would be a better place.
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I agree completely.
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I lived in Eastern Kentucky when I was in elementary school. Floods in the Spring were not unusual…and they we’re not as devastating as what has happened now, in the summer, this week. I left the social media cesspool to avoid all of that negative projection – the anger and hate. I send love, compassion, prayers and money. Those who are suffering need our love and support. Nothing else.
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I love Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee. I take many long weekends to hike and explore. This flooding is heartbreaking.
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Yes…in so many ways.
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Not so long ago, we lived through the flooding of Hurricane Harvey. Anyone who’s had such an experience knows that the devastation comes to all, regardless of economic or social status — or political beliefs, for heaven’s sake. During Harvey, when the boats showed up at front doors to get people out of harm’s way, no one was asking for political affiliation. No redneck was refusing help from a Black fellow, and no old woman was saying, “I’m not getting in the boat with that tattooed dude.” The comments you quoted sound like they came from people far, far away from the world of your flood. They’re one reason I keep twitter for posts from our meteorologists, but otherwise avoid social media entirely.
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I keep a very curated feed. The ugly came through an Appalachian author I follow who is helping raise awareness and funds. People (hopefully bots and not real people) were leaving these comments on his posts and forwards.
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Those clueless people should just be ignored. They don’t need space to air their thoughtless and cruel grievances.
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Ah, Sarah, I’ve been thinking (and praying for) your lovely state — y’all have really had disaster upon disaster thrown at you, haven’t you? And to compound that with the ugly remarks clueless people post makes it hurt all the more. As emotions rage more and more over time, I find myself avoiding much of social media. Except for blogs! The blogging community is supportive and caring, and I don’t know why other platforms tolerate ignorance and downright meanness.
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Agreed. I remember people said similar things about Hurricane Katrina and Louisiana. I’ll never understand how being vitriolic towards human beings is helpful in these situations.
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Many years ago, while in college, for one class we were assigned a book titled “Blaming the Victim”. It blew up numerous myths about what people believed about a great many others, and how often people, without thinking, do blame the victim. It is inhuman, and yet those same people will often willingly help their own neighbors in a pinch. We need more compassion across the board. Sorry you and your fellow Kentuckians have had to deal with this, and I hope things are looking up for everyone, even if slowly.
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Very inspiring message & from your heart. I had recently told someone that the people of this country are mostly good. Regardless of religious affiliation or political affiliation most ALL people will forget their differences to help not only neighbors in need but to help fellow human beings suffering anywhere. I believe those ‘other types’ you speak of here are in the minority, thankfully, but they get the press because they are loud & obnoxious. I enjoyed this very much
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I agree with you, the majority are good people that will help a neighbor. I hope there is a shift where we stop thinking some much of each other as “others”. I suspect many of the vile commenters are actually bots. Imagine having a job where all you did was post negative comments on socials!
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I can’t imagine it. Those people must go home in VERY foul moods. I feel sorry for the people they go home to.
Like you, recently I sometimes hardly recognize this country & my heart weeps. I would ask, “how did we become so divided & so angry?” but I think, if we are paying attention (& I’m afraid not to) that we pretty much know how this happened. I wish you & I could change the world but the truth is, we can’t. What we CAN do is change it where we are immediately. As bloggers we also have a vehicle to help encourage change. So while we may not be able to move mountains, we CAN start pushing at the hills that surround us … as you have done so well in this blog entry.
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I agree that each one of us can make small changes and together we have a wide, positive influence. Now that secrets are being revealed, we have a chance at realigning this country as more dastardly deeds and villains are revealed.
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