It’s an unfortunate situation, but it seems that it takes a national disaster to bring the nation together in these days of political warfare.
Yes, Hurricane Harvey has quelled to a large degree the hate-filled, back and forth rhetoric that has filled the news each day for the past year. Instead, Americans have come together to assist in any way they can the victims of what has been reported as the worst flooding in U.S. history.
Pictures and film footage of the devastation and suffering of the people in southeast Texas and Louisiana don’t begin to show how horrible things really are in that region. But, thankfully, the American spirit has come to the forefront, and citizens all across the country are shouting, “Help is on the way,” to those in the flood zone.
That help comes from Democrats and Republicans, blacks and whites, liberals and conservatives. It comes from individuals and groups, famous people and those unknown, the wealthy and those not so rich, and those of different cultures and religions. It comes from every corner, every part of the nation. It represents the hallmark of America – the desire to be a good neighbor and help those in times of dire emergency.
This outpouring of generosity comes in the form of cash, food, bottled water, toiletries and other essential items for living. It comes with the assistance of thousands of volunteers who have traveled to the stricken area to lend a hand. It comes with the heart-felt prayers of millions for the safety and recovery of those in harms way.
This is a stark difference from what has been on the news this past several months – the political bickering and hateful name-calling in Washington D.C. and elsewhere. It’s sad that it takes a hurricane or something of such horrible magnitude to bring harmony back within the borders. Oh, we wish that it would last forever, but that is, no doubt, asking for the impossible. We can always hope.