In recent months our country has been embroiled in a contentious social and political climate fixated on how fundamentally divided we are. The fire disaster and crisis that has befallen our counties here in northern California transcends political views, prejudices and controversies that pervade news and social media.
These disasters have made national headlines, but when the news cameras and media attention recede from covering the fires’ destruction, we’ll be here slowly trying to recover and rebuild. I have heard and read instance after instance of people who acted as quickly as the fires started to help the victims who lost everything: fundraisers were started by those near and far, volunteers responded en masse to help at evacuation centers, donations poured in and other kind deeds.
Fire victims’ devastation, loss and grief were met with generosity, compassion and support. Fire victims too, including the firefighters and first responders, put the needs of others before their own. All of these acts of selflessness show us at our best during the most traumatic of times.
I think it’s possible to help redirect some of the nation’s focus on controversies and divisions to highlight the ways we take care of each other. People who lost their homes, property, businesses, loved ones and pets during the fires will continue to need help.
We can make public the stories of our local support for fire victims that may otherwise go unrecognized; sing praises for the would-be unsung heroes who are helping in ways big and small — your neighbors, friends, co-workers, educators, students, strangers in line with you at the store.
While most people who open their hearts and provide support don’t ask to be recognized or see themselves as heroic or extraordinary, we can emphasize, seek out, or share the many ways kindness and generosity are being demonstrated in our own neighborhoods.
Since the fires I’ve been reminded how similar we are at our cores, despite our ideas of politics or patriotism. While we collectively have the momentum of generosity and altruism right now, we need to keep it going. It’s going to be a long, arduous road ahead. Beyond donating or volunteering during the aftermath, you can engage in solidarity and understanding. You can spread word and share examples of how you see people supporting each other. There are plenty of ways people are lending hands or taking care of our fellow community members in need. Perhaps discussion and attention on our actions of aid can help calm the turbulent, divisive waters in our country.
Promoting an atmosphere that’s centered on building others up rather than tearing others down is a better use of our time and energy than falling into the prevalent topics that are dividing our country. Maybe emphasizing the goodness others possess and maintaining our solidarity during our county’s crisis can reduce some of the national vitriol. There is more to gain by elevating each other and our discourse about our unities rather than our divisions
Kristi Witt is a Cloverdale resident.
