Photo credit: Stephen Osman; LA Times.
At this point, the winds are dying down and the southland is cautiously hopeful that they have the upper hand on what is sure to be California’s worst fire storm. In fact, you can sense the shift in the tone of the media covering the fires. Now, the blame game begins. Questions about biodiversity and the encroachment of humans on unique habitats are already starting to appear. Even as millions face evacuations, the recriminations are flying. “Humans are at fault,” declares one actress. Fire victims “get what they deserve,” snarks another comedian. (google it, I’m not giving these sentiments any more space.) And the apparent wealth of the area makes many wonder about applying the word “victim” in this situation; the underlying current being that the rich have it coming or are undeserving of our compassion.
I have stayed glued to the LA Times since Malibu began burning. As disturbing as the images of blowing ash, raging fires, and burned out cars might be, I find the burgeoning sentiment toward the citizens of the southland far more chilling. There will be time to lay blame and discuss the very important realities of increased growth in one of California’s most biodiverse areas. While half a million people are displaced, living with family and friends if they’re lucking, living in stadiums if they are not—this is not that time. Nor is it time when thousands of fire fighters are still facing down the flames of a fire storm the proportions of which have never been seen. No, there will come a time when conversations will need to be had. By the people who remain, by the people who live there, by the people affected.
But never, never will it be time to deny the humanity of another human being. Never. The net worth of a human being should not determine our compassion for their suffering. And there is little doubt in my mind, that as these homes burn, their owners are indeed suffering. These are their homes. Their memories, their possessions, and in some cases, their livelihoods. Does it really matter if they built in a bad location? Does it really matter how much they spent on it? Must they really have to have less than we do, for us to acknowledge their suffering?
When I look at the photos, I don’t see L.A. on fire. I see real lives burning.
Anyone that seeks to classify suffering based on someone’s wealth (or lack thereof) doesn’t understand what it means to suffer. Anyone that can criticize people for where they chose to live in this moment doesn’t understand what it means to have compassion. To lose one’s home in fire is a most fundamental loss and a most violent way to have that loss occur. *NOTHING* is left in the ravages of fire. The ugliness that people choose to spew in moments such as these is a real eye-opener to their true character. Let’s sit with the horror. Let’s share people’s pain. Let’s allow this all to sink in and then let’s look at what it means to move forward – never forgetting that this is a *human* tragedy… and that God (or the Devil) is being found moment by moment in the response.
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Have I told you lately how much I love you? Because I do! A LOT!! Thanks for listening to me rant on this. It makes me angry to watch and listen to non-Californians pontificate about situations really don’t understand. It’s so damn complex and right now, my heart is breaking for the families affected. ~W
well put. My heart hurts for everyone who has lost something 🙁
boo hoo for this devastation. Can you believe the damage is considered worse than what Katrina did in New Orleans?
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Actually, I can imagine that it’s worse. It is. Fires are harder to cover in a way that the viewing audience can grasp the scope than a hurricane is. And hurricanes, while no doubt devastating, do not rage on for weeks. So, no, it doesn’t surprise me one bit. California, the entire state, not just the southland, is historically a tender box. The cycle of wet years and then drought and then fires and then erosion is on going. And it is not just the southland that burns. That area makes the news because LA is a part of the American consciousness in ways the Redding CA, or the central valley, or even Oakland isn’t. Even as the flames subside, the ash in the air is forming a different sort of storm. California is in for a long recovery. ~W
It is just so sad. My husband’s grandparents are pretty near the devastation. We’ve been so worried about them (and every one affected). Luckily Grandpa and Grandma have only been affected by the blowing smoke, so far.
This is a real thing affecting real people. I don’t see the point in blaming them for living where they do. I guess that’s the media cycle, though. Get over the shock and awe then find blame. What a culture to be living in, eh?
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If it were just the media, I’d be less inflamed. But it’s people in my world… and I find that both outrageous and depressing.
The ash in the air is devastating. And the long term effects are well known to be dangerous. So, even though your family’s home was not touched, their lives still are. And it’s this bit of information that is neglected by those unfamiliar with how fires of this magnitude function. I’m glad to hear they are OK. ~W
I can’t tell you how glad I am to see your post today. For some reason I am surrounded by people who are quick to judge based on wealth (more = bad, less = good) and say things such as “so-and-so has no reason to complain” because “so-and-so” is a celebrity, and therefore, one assumes, rich. This makes me so angry! …. Sigh. I could go on and on ranting, but you’ve said it so eloquently (as usual), I’ll just stop. But thanks. ~A 🙂
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Oh, the places I could go… and nearly did. But, for the moment anyhow, I don’t view my blog as a pulpit, so I’m trying very hard not to preach. The flip side of this attitude is that the poor are somehow deserving of their plights… and I find that appalling as well. What people don’t seem to want to recognize is that believing one side of the coin makes room for the other, paves the way. It’s an open door to believing that only people who look like you do, live like you do, your NEIGHBORS deserve your compassion. That is dangerous thinking and shouldn’t be tollerated. That I see so much of it drives me to dispair. While people rage on about our environment, a legitimate concern!, but show so little concern for the very people who could effect change boggles my mind. From a pragmatic position, you would think the power the rich wield would be reason enough to want them on your side. Never mind their humanity! The truth of the matter is, we all want a scape-goat. In this case, it’s too easy to sit on the outside looking in blame the victim. Because, really, they’re not victims… right? MAKES MY BLOOD BOIL. ~W
These fire stories are so sad. And I DO agree with your post about timing, wholeheartedly. And I IZ’s comment is a post in itself. So flying in the face of that, I still am left shaking my head. Why do people just keep building and building in a place that is plagued with Santa Ana winds, mudslides earthquakes? As lovely as it may be, the deck is really stacked against those folks. I mean, those last mudslides a month or so ago? They had already gone sliding down the hill during construction two years before. And it DOES need to be discussed because the continued lack of foresight that leads to this repetitive tragedy is mindboggling. Frankly, I don’t fault these poor burned out people as much as I do the (un) planners and contractors and powers that be (insurance companies?) that let it go on, encourage it, promote it. As I type China (right, those loonies who are behaving just as we have for decades) are busy building, building,building up in the north by Beijing. And they have NO CLEAN WATER. NONE. They are running water through a pipeline from the sewage fed Yangtze river for their own people and they will be bringing in BILLIONS of plastic bottles of water for the Olympics. Same type of short-sighted thinking. Oh, Wende. Sorry about the rant on your post. I’m just chronically worried about what we’re doing to our planet and whatever, whenever it gets discussed, nothing gets DONE. (now watch. this is going to come around and bite me in the butt in the form of a hurricane. Then I’ll have to come live in Astoria and be a plague on you. More of one.)
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Well, I can hardly write a rant and not expect one in return in the comments section… no matter how much I might disagree with the content. ~W
Oh, I tell you…I went from tears to tears when I thought not only of the people affected by the fires (my family lives in the S. Cali area…although they are all safe) but of the trees and the animals…I think of them too whenever I see such devastation (like our 16,000 acre fire here a few years ago) I have never lost a home and all I have to a fire…but, I have experienced loss in my life, and I can reach down into the well of those feelings to find some compassion for those who are hurting right now…no matter where their homes are, or how much income they have…I am so sorry for all the families, animals, and nature that were harmed in this fire…so very sorry…
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I would imagine that parts of Arizona face the same kinds of fire threat. Manzanita, sage brush, and eucalyptus burn so hot, it’s unimaginable unless you see it face to face, I think. I guess, having been face to face with it, my emotional response is a hair trigger—and my patience for ignorance is micro thin. S i g h. No one is perfect I suppose. 😀 ~W
Thank you for your supportive words.
My neice and her husband and newborn baby are sleeping on my living room floor until it is safe for them to return to their home in North San Diego.
We are right in the middle of the ring of fire, safe but smoked out. My heart is breaking for ALL of my SoCal neighbors, young, old, rich, poor and furry.
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Danette… you are most welcome. We are praying for you all, here in the NW. Hold tight! ~W
this is really well spoken, Wende. you are so right!
if only the entirety of humankind thought the same way…..
(BTW, I have tagged you. if you want to opt out, I understand. the meme is pretty time-consuming. mine took me an hour!!! :O
but this particular one is quite self-enlightening.)
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Thank you… not everyone agrees with your estimation of me. I’ve made some people angry. In the scope of things, we’ll all get over it far more quickly than those burned out of their houses, so I’m not taking it too seriously. 😀 ~W
I can’t imagine being burned out of my home–that would destroy our whole history as a family. Pure tragedy. I’ve been following the news a lot too since we were in San Diego last year. I loved it, and wanted to move there! I’m hoping for no big earthquakes here in WA; they keep predicting the “big one” and we try to ignore them. I’m wondering if there is anyplace that is truly safe to live.
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I suspect there isn’t a safe place. ~W
I haven’t kept up with the news coverage on the fires, and didn’t realize people were already pointing fingers… it is just so sad. The whole thing really reminds me that we are so much more alike than we are different.
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And this is just it, that space between us is holy. Why we can’t see it, is beyond me. ~W