The Wildfires of Hate are Burning

I didn’t want to write this. I didn’t want to post this. But now, I must.

The astounding depth of venom, criticism, and grotesque disinformation engulfing all social media platforms right now about what’s happening in Southern California is —- unbelievable. Honestly, I can’t believe what I’m seeing and reading.

Somewhat by accident this morning, I came upon the posts and comments of innumerable self-professed pro-Trump MAGA supporters, most with personal profiles colored with flags and proudly proclaiming to be “Christians.” Should you doubt any of this, please log onto Musk’s propaganda sewer (previously known as Twitter). Then, click onto any MAGA-centric commentary about the raging Southern California wildfires. The posts are SICKENING.

I won’t aid the antipathy by publicizing examples of the hate, but believe me. They’re real. And, it’s RAGING out of control. Of course, it starts at the top. Just look at the many lies and blame cast by our incoming President-elect. These many posts reveal a dearth of human compassion and amusement at loss and suffering that I wouldn’t have even thought was possible in this country, especially among a political and cultural movement claiming to be “patriots” and “Christians.” No, these are not isolated crackpots. They number in the THOUSANDS — likely representative of millions. It is consistent. It is endless. It is unmistakably cruel. This is the MAGA movement stripped bare to it core, shown on full display.

They are a wildfire of hate.

After November 2024, in our collective shock and disappointment, many of us hoped we could isolate ourselves. We thought ignoring them would be a way to cope. Call it an attempt at self-preservation, and a means to protecting our mental health. Unfortunately, that’s not possible. It is impossible to isolate ourselves from others who take joy in pain. It is impossible to ignore others who celebrate misery.

All of those suffering, who have lost most (if not all) their possessions, who continue to live with fear, who saw everything burned to ash, who must deal with the shock and horror of catastrophe–deserve our compassion. And all those on the front lines (risking their own lives) and in supporting roles working tirelessly to save others–deserve our irredeemable gratitude. Finally, those who spread a very different wildfire, yet one just as destructive to the soul and spirit–deserve our strongest repudiation.

Wildfires of all kinds always rely on blowing wind. Let us hope and strive for calmer times ahead.

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Photo Credit: Vecteezy