Shaun Groves
This is Nashville after 20 inches of rain.
30 dead. Tragic.
A few dozen families lost their homes entirely. Sheetrock and carpet need replacing in dozens, even hundreds more. Treasured photographs are lost. Tables, couches, beds, and cabinets are destroyed. Roofs leak.
Neighbors, government agencies, churches, and (hopefully) insurance companies are rebuilding parts of the city that need it now. It’ll take weeks, months even. But life here will soon be back to how it used to be.
And things used to be pretty good. Low cost of living. Large job market. Median family income of about $50K.
Things are still pretty good for the overwhelming majority here. This is Nashville.
This isn’t the Gulf Coast after hurricane Katrina.
1600 dead. 200,000 homes lost. More than 1 million people displaced.
80% of New Orleans under water. $25.3 billion in insurance claims.
This isn’t El Salvador after Hurricane Ida.
Hundreds dead. Hundreds missing. Thousands injured. Government so disorganized and unprepared that more specific reliable numbers don’t exist.
In one community I visited 80,000 peasants lost their homes, livestock, crops, food, water, everything. The mud took away their livelihoods in a region where the median income was already less than $730.
This isn’t Haiti after January’s earthquake.
200,000 dead. Estimated 1.5 million people homeless.
Thousands of jobs were lost in a nation where two thirds of the population wasn’t formally employed and the median household income was already less than $160.
Why make the comparison?
Certainly not to minimize the plight of my neighbors. But the comparison helps me in two ways.
Perspective is being lost by some who say what’s happened in Nashville deserves the same kind of media attention and outpouring of national and international generosity these disasters were given.
I need to give and serve and care deeply. Of course. But while I’m doing that I need to be careful I don’t cross the line between concerned and dramatic. This is Nashville.
I’m thankful. Bookmark this page, folks, because politically skeptical me doesn’t say this often: I’m thankful for the government.
For a government that quickly sent brave rescue workers into flooded neighborhoods to literally save lives.
I’m thankful for a governor and mayor who speak articulately about the situation here and care about it, support the efforts of everyday citizens rolling up their sleeves and going to work, and are asking for federal and state funds set aside for times like these.
I’m thankful those funds exist.
I’m thankful for the more than 3,000 church bodies in Nashville who have sprung to action. Specifically, I’m thankful for the leadership shown by Pete Wilson at Crosspoint, Ed Stetzer at Lifeway and Two Rivers and my friends at WAY FM and PeopleLovingPeople.org.
I’m thankful for roads that are paved, houses made of brick, the absence of looters, trees to absorb water, relatively low unemployment, buried electrical lines and plumbing, flood zones, radio transmitters, cell towers, secure water treatment facilities, a robust economy, stores full of tools to be bought and put to use, stores full of food to be purchased and shared, tax refunds to be donated, cars and trucks and tractors and gasoline, loads of carpenters, dozens of plumbers, scads of electricians and roofers and painters, and…
I’m thankful this is Nashville.
Not New Orleans, El Salvador, or Haiti.
This is Nashville.
Happy Geek says:
Perspective. Such an important thing.
Bryan Young says:
Well said Shaun. I do believe Nashville was glossed over by the national media. I’ve had friends tell me they would have had no idea what happened here if it weren’t for Facebook and Twitter. Perspective is incredibly important. For those that lost someone, lost what little they had and lost the means to replace it, it’s a personal Katrina to them. But you’re right. At the 30,000 ft level, this is no Katrina.
Shaun Groves says:
Absolutely, Bryan. Loss is loss to the person who’s experiencing it. My heart and my money and time goes out to them now.
diane says:
I understand your post, but I hope you understand that it wasn’t dozens…it is hundreds and hundreds of families who are displaced and have to very nearly completely rebuild.
No it’s not New Orleans or Haiti…there are lots of neighbors and friends who weren’t effected and have the ability to help those who need it. That is what I am grateful for.
Shaun Groves says:
Hundreds of homes have been damaged. No official count yet but surely hundreds.
Dozens “lost their homes entirely” – meaning, to me, that there is nothing left but rubble.
Tragic. Truly tragic.
Jennifer says:
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.
Jennifer says:
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
Princess Leia says:
Having gone to high school in Nashville, and with family living there (but me living in MD), I’ve been feeling a little guilty and wondering why I haven’t felt more inclined to drop everything and go _do_ something.
It’s _not_ that I don’t care, because I do….
Maybe since _my_ family came through just fine, it wasn’t personal enough. Or maybe this was the reason. Here’s hoping.
pete wilson says:
Couldn’t have been said better!!!
Shaun Groves says:
Appreciate all you’re doing, Pete. Looking forward to joining you in Bellvue next week. Got my crowbar ready ; )
Scott D. Winter says:
I have been thinking the same thing over the last few days. I posed the question on Twitter this morning and someone forwarded me this link.
Thank you for affirming what I was thinking! You never know if you are the one “non-caring cynic” out there that has thoughts like this!
Shaun Groves says:
Nope. There are two of us non-caring cynics in Nashville now ; )
Amy says:
Amazing perspective.
Stephen says:
Thanks, Shaun. I’ve gotten tired of seeing everyone retweet the “We Are Nashville” article with its overblown rhetoric. This provides a needed perspective. This is a great line: “But while I’m doing that I need to be careful I don’t cross the line between concerned and dramatic.”
Lindsey says:
I 100% agree. As a Nashvillian, I am deeply grieved for people who have lost their homes and lives. I believe that we should have compassion for those hurting. But…I have also thought it a bit ridiculous that those comparisons have been made and extremely puzzling that people have been upset over the lack of national media coverage. Perspective is an important and beautiful thing. Perspective and being grateful to God for His mercy in the midst of it all.
redneckneighbor says:
A few dozen?!?! I’ve been to a “few dozen” on one street….then a “few dozen” on another cul-de-sac….then a “few dozen” on another street….another….another….yes perspective makes all the difference from Spring Hill.
Shaun Groves says:
What I said Matt (aka redneckneighbor) is that dozens “lost their homes entirely” – meaning, to me, that there is nothing left to call a house.
That’s a true statement, right?
We might just define “entirely” a bit differently. Not important. I can change that sentence if it’s gonna cause disagreement. Not at all my intention.
Glad you’re out there serving, man.
kim says:
Shaun,
Are you serious?!? Are you afraid someone might want to help a Middle TN family who doesn’t have flood insurance or doesn’t fall into a disaster category who cannot replace any of this?
Many of those who lost everything in this flood don’t live in your small neighborhood, so I understand you don’t see the whole picture. It’s nice to live with blinders on. But watching people who once lived a middle class life who lost their homes to floods and their offices to floods and people who may not get to work again for months, (As is the case with Opryland)… these people are newly poor without hope or help.
Many who don’t live in your neighborhood lost a whole lot more than everything by watching 1/2 of their family drown, like the one woman who watched her husband try to rescue her 15 year old daughter, then watched the waters come up to their neck and then they were gone. Or the little old couple who drowned together in the home they built together. Or the several families who watched their whole neighborhood submerge in water from a kind neighbor’s 2nd story window while they listened to their pets and their livestock drowning and crying out for help.
This is America, This is the Volunteer State and THIS is a little bit closer to home than New Orleans, or El Salvador. My friends who were already poor are homeless. My friends who were already looking for a job and already borrowing a car, lost that hope of a job and that borrowed car. My friends were affected by this flood and I’m more concerned that my friend will not get the help they may have gotten because looking through blinders, you are telling thousands of your readers that its not really that bad.
Shaun Groves says:
That’s not at all what I’m saying Kim. I’m grateful for any suggestions on how I can rewrite this post to better reflect what i AM attempting to say.
And I’d very much like to help your friends. You can e-mail me any of their needs and I’ll do all I can to meet them. shaun AT shaungroves DOT com
I have a van, in fact, that I’ve trying to give away to someone who lost their vehicle in the flooding. Would that help them? It’s theirs for the taking.
I can connect them with food, pay some bills, etc, as well if that would help. Let me know what needs to be done and I’ll get it done for them.
I’m serving and giving to Nashville from my neighborhood, without blinders on, but with perspective that gives me tremendous gratitude because we’re blessed to have resources, benevolent government, generous neighbors and lots of heros here in Nashville.
Thanks for the chance to clarify, Kim. Be in touch. I’ll help in any way I can.
Carlos Arellano says:
Very true!! Nashville is heaven even now…some of the greatest people ever!
Ali says:
I do not want to minimize anything that people in Nashville have experienced. Loss is a very personal thing and we should not say that what one person has lost does not compare to another’s loss. Yet, I evacuated New Orleans the day before Katrina. I have friends who, years later, still have not been able to return to their homes there. While I think Nashville should have gotten more attention from the media, I think you are spot on when you point out how different the two situations really are.
Scott Baker says:
I don’t understand the thought that “Nashville should have gotten more attention from the media.” Why? What benefit would there be to that? We will receive all of the governmental aid that we can get. And if it’s true that there hasn’t been as much attention due to the fact that there was no looting or lawlessness, (a claim I find dubious), isn’t that level of civilization its own reward?
Shaun is right on with this post. He never downplays the true tragedy of our reality. It’s simply that our reality is not comparable to the disasters to which it is being compared. We should be proud of the way our community is responding to help each other out. And we should encourage each other to do ever more. But there’s no need for hyperbole.
I think the real reason that there hasn’t been as much media attention as some people seem to think there should have been is because last week we also witnessed an oil spill that threatens to dwarf the damage caused by Exxon Valdez and a would-be terrorist tried to blow up Times Square. And the irony is that folks on the Gulf think that the reality of the disaster there isn’t getting the media attention it deserves given how substantial and long-reaching it is likely to become. And the folks in NYC don’t feel like they got much more than a shrug from the rest of the country. Two friends of mine had tickets to the theatre that the bomb car was parked in front of. They said most of their family and friends didn’t even call to check on them because it didn’t seem like that big of a deal.
I’m neither affirming nor denying the validity of the claims above, but it would seem that the appropriateness of the degree of media attention is a subjective measure. Nashville would do better to take care of ourselves and our neighbors without worrying about how much people in other states or lands are wringing their hands over our plight.
Phil B says:
Shaun,
great words man. I’m sitting over here in Knoxville itching to be a part of the relief. It occurred to me this morning: As the Haiti disaster happened (or any of the ones you referenced), so many of us had a heartbreak and made comments like, ‘if it were closer or I had a way to get there, I’d BE THERE…’. Here I am 3 hours away and I’m still here, not there. How much closer does it have to be before I go? Luckily we were able to donate a lot of our tools and my wife is going to help tomorrow. I can live vicariously through her while I earn a paycheck…
I AM proud of our city (Nashville) and it’s people. I was joining in the outcry for more media attention but your post gave me new perspective. I watched Anderson Cooper apologize over and over last night for not giving Nashville more attention sooner. But, I know your heart. We spent a few days on a tour together (Compassion08) and I got a good idea of the condition of your heart when God’s creation suffers. I know you meant no disregard for your Nashville family, only to pull back to 30,000feet like Bryan said. I know that some of your critics want to make sure we don’t forget about the dozens or hundreds or thousands of people who aren’t at cruising altitude. They’re digging out the mud, washing off the pictures and hoping to recover sooner than later. And we don’t forget, we won’t forget and Nashville will rally around them all. I know.
Thanks for your words man.
Laura says:
This is a great post.
Two things came to mind while I was reading.
A tragedy is just that… tragic to the people it involves. It could be a family that lost their home in a fire, a husband who lost his wife to cancer, a city flooded, or an area devastated by earthquake. To the people involved it is devastating. That is where the church and community come in to give love, help and empathy to those that are devastated. So, while in the grand scheme of things the flooding is not a catastrophic event to an overwhelmingly large number of people… to someone (possibly someone reading) it is most definitely a tragedy.
Also, I don’t think the large majority (outside of Nashville) were necessarily shocked at the lack of media attention because they were wanting drama, but more out of wanting information. I don’t live in Nashville any longer, but have a friend from the area that I was in contact with that day. That is how I knew about the flooding. I spoke to a few families where I currently live who had friends or loved ones in and around Nashville or trips scheduled to the downtown area that hadn’t heard the news two days after the fact because news of the flooding was virtually non-existent.
I think your thoughts on keeping things in perspective are excellent! Great blog.
Krissy says:
You make very valid points, Shaun, but still… I’m not sure why you felt it necessary to post this right now. Yes, it is important to keep things in perspective. I totally get that. I work with my kids on that all the time. And yet… for anyone who’s lost their home, or, worse, a loved one–or even for people who are just feeling incredibly vulnerable right now–making the point that other disasters have been worse is not helpful at all. When someone is in real pain, comparing their situation to others’ just comes across as heartless. You wrote so powerfully a while back about your bout with depression. Would it have been helpful to you then for someone to tell you that you were so much better off than so many other people in the world? You already KNEW that; It didn’t make your pain any less at that moment. I don’t for a moment question your heart and I don’t doubt that you are right there to help anyone you can. And maybe you intended this to be hopeful: Look, Nashville, you can and will recover so much faster than these other places. It didn’t come across that way to me, though.
As for people wanting more media attention for what’s happened in Nashville… I can’t say I care that much one way or the other, but I understand that others do. Sometimes when you’re hurting, you just need others to be there to say, “Wow, I get it. This is a big deal to you. It hurts.”
Maybe that’s why what you’ve written here has rubbed some people the wrong way. Not that what you wrote isn’t completely valid, but that it’s not what’s really needed right now.
Shaun Groves says:
Krissy, no blog post is necessary. Ever. I think “blog” might actually come from some Greek or Latin word for “unnecessary” in fact. ; )
Seriously, Krissy, thank you for this comment. I have a lot to learn and I appreciate you taking the time to kindly help me do just that.
You know what I did a terrible job of? I did a terrible of connecting “drama” to “gratitude.” Or a lack of drama to gratitude. In my mind they’re connected but I couldn’t find the words to connect them in this post. Let me try again now.
When I engage in hyperbole about my situation (flood, depression, whatever) it makes it more difficult (impossible?) to be thankful. In depression, for instance, I thought I’d never be well again, that I would die, that I was unloved, that I was alone, etc etc etc. Drama killed my gratitude.
It IS helpful for the hopeless to be reminded of how bad things could be, how much God has provided, how much hope is all around, how momentary our troubles are, how God has obviously provided in countless ways, how present with us and around us He is. As helpful, I’d argue, as the rest of us rolling up our sleeves and tearing out drywall for them.
Drama kills gratitude. Gratitude is a source of hope. If God has done ____________ for me already, surely he can do ______________ tomorrow.
I’m a sorry communicator sometimes, Krissy, but I sure appreciate your patience and understanding and the chance to (attempt to) clarify. Thanks.
Krissy says:
That was a great clarification, Shaun. And I couldn’t agree with you more about the importance of gratitude, no matter what our situation. Maybe I just think a little drama is OK when faced with a situation that is dramatic (as long as one doesn’t get stuck in the drama), but this is probably not one of my better qualities.
For the record, you’re a far better communicator than most of the rest of us. Thanks for being so gracious about my criticism.
Roberta says:
OMG…I don’t get it…that is…why everyone is in such an uproar over this? People need to take off their blinders and re-read this post! What I got from it is that Shaun feels truly thankful that he is in a place where he can help his neighbors…whereas we do not always find ourselves in a “physical” position during ALL times of loss and tragedy. Wow…people…what more can a GREAT GUY do? People, your offense is your only defense when you find fault in others that is reflective.
Shaun Groves says:
It’s not everyone, Roberta. It’s one married couple and Krissy and they make valid points that gave me a valuable opportunity to be a little clearer than I was able in this post. Grateful for that chance.
But thanks for getting my back and for the kind words. Always appreciated.
Sarah Valente (Kingdom Mama) says:
If you weren’t right there, maybe you wouldn’t have the right. If you hadn’t seen the comparison with your own eyes, maybe. But I greatly appreciate this perspective. ALL human life is precious and so we should try to give, serve, etc whenever and wherever we can. But American life is not more valuable that Haitian life. I think we’re finally starting to get that as the church in America. Or at least it feels like we are…from what I’ve been seeing bounced around this year.
Danny Bixby says:
Great post! I think the content is incredibly important to remember, and you definitely delivered it humbly and excellently.
dubdynomite says:
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….)
Shaun Groves says:
Thanks, man. And watch your step. My brain’s a bit cluttered at the moment.
Grant Jenkins says:
Bless you, bro. Love your heart.
Kristen says:
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.
Brad says:
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!
Bethany says:
Did you learn to be uber-diplomatic with people before or after you started a blog?
Theresa says:
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.
Lynn Steller says:
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.