Over the past several weeks, wildfires have put Los Angeles in critical condition, and in September, Hurricane Helene had monumental effects on several states in the South.
These events have caused great suffering in their respective areas. The loss of homes, possessions and lives should inspire support for these communities. However, many online have responded with belittling and hateful statements.
In response to the LA wildfires, TikTok creator Liz Kuhn, a self-proclaimed climate change and human rights advocate, posted a video where she blamed the lifestyle of wealthy members of the LA community for the disaster and said, “Ignore the celebrities, they’re fine. The rich simply do not need our sympathy.”
This video and many others that harshly criticize environmental impacts of the upper class often highlight the wealthy’s ability to rebuild homes while ignoring their inability to recover lost childhood items, pets and keepsakes.
Additionally, it is important to note that many members of the affected community did not have the means to rebuild. Over 14% of those living in LA County would fall below the poverty line without supplemental assistance.
Statements like these have caused frustration for those affected by the LA wildfires and Hurricane Helene.
Threads user Jonathan Rasmusson described the lack of sympathy being given to wildfire victims, saying that there were “no condolences or solidarity but instead opportunistic and ignorant people posting to use this tragedy to antagonize people that lost everything.”
Another user, Asha Wild, who lost their home to Hurricane Helene, responded to this post by saying, “No one deserves it, but they *do* blame other states for their natural disasters — they very much blamed us for Helene.”
Negative content on social media during and after Hurricane Helene claiming Southerners were uneducated political extremists was so rampant that many creators posted videos condemning statements that politicized the disaster and blamed those who did not evacuate.
Critical responses to those who have suffered great loss make already tragic experiences even more difficult to deal with and add to growing social and political polarization. Making public statements that shame those who are experiencing tragedy is an inappropriate and insensitive response that demonstrates a lack of empathy.
Merriam-Webster defines empathy as “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another.”
Empathy cannot be limited to those only from the same region, class and political party as you. Blaming others for their misfortune because they disagree with you politically or maintain a lifestyle different than yours is both cruel and unproductive.
“Animosity across political and social groups — where people disrespect or even hate those who believe differently than them — is one of the most pressing problems of our time,” said the University of Texas at Austin Center for Media Engagement
Just because someone does not have the means to evacuate does not mean they deserve to be left behind. Just because someone has the means to rebuild does not make losing a home any less heartbreaking. Just because you disagree with someone’s political party does not mean they deserve to suffer.
After all, if you are unable to be respectful towards those who are different from you in their time of need, then expect the same treatment in return.