Comments on: This Is Nashville

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 11 May 2010 02:44:09 +0000

Okay, so after reading all the comments and all of your responses, you seem like a really great guy who’s heart is in the right place. Maybe I sounded a little harsh in my previous comment. Though I really do believe you are underestimating the #’s. And “completely destroyed” can be a relative term, you know? Anyway, although I initially responded with criticism, I want you to know that you verbalized a lot of what I was feeling and thinking. I saw some FB posts about how the U.S. is so quick to broadcast stories about disasters in other countries and to offer aid, but when it comes to our own (Nashville) we could care less. I was so baffled by this by this thought: But we are so much better off here in the U.S.! Not to underestimate the poverty here, because IT IS HERE in large numbers. But globally speaking, we are so rich and blessed. So anyway, I get it. Thanks for being so open to criticism too about this post. And for being brave enough to post on the topic. You rock (now folling your blog) – Jennifer

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 11 May 2010 02:27:57 +0000

I live in Franklin. In my own 1/2 mile radius 3 houses burned, and somewhere around 100 houses flooded – as in the floors and walls have been ripped out, furniture tossed, etc. So I also doubt the “dozens” and “hundreds”. Don’t forget all the towns surrounding Nashville. This isn’t just about Nashville or Williamson County. This covered a wide range of people. While I agree with your article and think you make some great points, “dozens” makes this sound like a minor event. It’s not.

By: Lynn Steller

Lynn Steller — Mon, 10 May 2010 15:14:00 +0000

Thank you so much for reminding me this. It’s hard to gain perspective when I see people so close to me living this. In the end everyone here is still (for the most part) far better off than many others around the world who haven’t even felt a disaster. There are people around the world who live hardship every day.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Sun, 09 May 2010 13:06:02 +0000

Shaun, I defiantly like that you had the courage to state that some things are not as important to others. I think we live in a world where everyone thinks that the hardship they are going through is just as important as the hardship everyone else is going through, and so it’s hard to publicly state that you think some things are more important that others.
It’s not that we don’t care that TN is underwater, we will be there to help anyone who needs help. However, if we can keep a good perspective, we know they can get themselves back on their feet. We know that most people will come out of it OK. This will allow us to put more efforts into those who may not be OK.

A suggestion is to maybe point out how the reason your grateful for the TN government is not just that they helped during the flood, but that they provided a middle class living situation that allows people to “resume to normal” more quickly.

Also, maybe an understanding that the reason Haiti, NO, & El Salvador were so severely devastated is that they had no foundation before the disaster. there were thousands of people already living in poverty well before these disasters. My guess would be that had they suffered this flood more homes would be lost, and minimum wage jobs losses would have been more devastating to the lively-hood of the nation.

By: Bethany

Bethany — Sun, 09 May 2010 05:36:20 +0000

Did you learn to be uber-diplomatic with people before or after you started a blog?

By: Brad

Brad — Sat, 08 May 2010 15:55:00 +0000

Just got back from Haiti last night. OVERWHELMING!!!

Timely post today. I AM very thankful for being born in US and for God allowing me to see the needs of others so I can be a part of helping.

Thanks!

By: Kristen

Kristen — Sat, 08 May 2010 04:58:11 +0000

I think you make a great point about being thankful for the government aid. I’m a political skeptic too – it’s so easy to look at all of the corruption and nonsense. But when you see a place like Haiti, where there was little to no government response, it really is baffling how blessed we are to live in a country where the government (and citizens) spring into action, and have the resources to help.

By: Grant Jenkins

Grant Jenkins — Sat, 08 May 2010 02:49:08 +0000

Bless you, bro. Love your heart.

By: Shaun Groves

Shaun Groves — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:57:28 +0000

Thanks, man. And watch your step. My brain’s a bit cluttered at the moment.

By: dubdynomite

dubdynomite — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:22:01 +0000

Very few people in the world can see this situation the way you do Shaun, and I’m glad that you are sharing your unique perspective.

You’ve walked through some of the most hopeless places on the face of the earth and been a witness to greater hardship and suffering than most anyone in this country will ever have to face.

I can say that I read this post, and I get it. But, I’m afraid I probably don’t really get it, because I’ve never witnessed what you have witnessed first-hand.

In a way, I’m vicariously sharing your experiences through your thoughts on your blog here.

So thanks for letting me inside your head just a little (no matter how scary that is….)