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The Hubris of Insensitivity
How the sad walls of Affluence and White Privilege keep us in worlds light years apart
Once in a while, you just gotta rant. I recently heard the somewhat disturbing story of soon-to-be newlyweds who, despite all a steady stream of horrific news out of Hawaii, insisted on honeymooning on the devastated island of Maui. One hundred fourteen deaths, over 350 unaccounted for. Ashes still smoldering. WTF, I must scream.
Why is this? How can this be? Let this sink in and ask. Is it just pure Selfishness, Selfishness, Selfishness? Or is it the result of affluence? Is it the privilege, perhaps white privilege, that one feels entitled to? Is it the self-constructed reality that separate us into dwellers of Elysium and those who are left to scavenge around on an arid, god-forsaken underlying Earth ? As a believer in equality and empathy, I am deeply sadden to hear stories such as this. I wish greater signs of good humanity circulated instead of tales such as this. Have we moved beyond Stockholm Syndrome where even mass hurt does not register? [3]
Hawaii, despite appearances, it not the richest state , and nor is it the cheapest place to live in. It is 30th in GDP per capita, and third highest in gas prices. [1] [2] I am sure the wildfires are causing hurt, despair, hardship for so many, and for the State of Hawaii in general.
My anger and sadness is fueled by other news, more despicable news of predatory investors that have been calling wildfire victims to buy their (and perhaps steal) their land, their history, their memories. [4][5]
While people are still unaccounted for, smoke still harming air quality, fires still burning as of August 18th, many investors have shown a complete lack of empathy and compassion. People, souls, the human tragedy and live trauma do not matter to them. What matters instead is the speed with which they can capitalize on this disaster as a money making opportunity, to be first among the predators to take the spoils from people who are still in shock, trying to make sense of the present, and horrified by an uncertain future. Natural…
