They’re all assholes but one of the groups supposedly is held to a higher standard yet it was the other group that showed genuine remorse and atonement. Christians, heal thyself (as usual).
The Brown family suffered tragedy. They came to a far away place, and tried to survive, and wanted to return to their home. Their stress, and their anger at their loss were very hard to deal with, and certainly so for the younger members.
The DiMaggio family engaged in a very public relief effort, enlisting a congregation of people who all made the mistake that this was an act of charity. It was not. Neither was it charity to give unsolicited appliances and materials, which were expected to be used in a particular place and fashion. That might be a relief effort, but it is in no way charitable. Clothes given in charity are all to often clothes that the giver did not want, and usually for very good reasons. Not wanting to be given such clothing is not gratitude. Doing all this giving, and especially all this recrimination in so public a way brings the entire affair so far away from charity that it becomes self aggrandizement on the part of the DiMaggios, and their church. They have done themselves much harm.
The Browns were bad tenants, no doubt. They did not pay the rent. They did think the place was rent free, but gratitude was the coin demanded and expected in payment. The right of the landlord to inspect the property without notice, and at all times was not explained to them. The right of the Landlord to supervise the lives of the tenants was not explained either. The right of the landlord to terminate the lease, and rent to others at will was not explained, either. But, the Browns did not pay the rent.
The younger family members seem to be trying to pay the rent now, and even trying to make back payments on the rent already due. That doesn’t seem to make any difference to the DiMaggios. I think the boys should move on as well. I think the congregation should pray a lot.
I wish the Brown family well, and will pray for them too. Their suffering is not at an end, and now it seems they are acquiring a habit of suffering, which will do them nothing but harm. Before you can hold your head up, you have to see yourself in the mirror as someone who is worth a long look. It’s very hard. God bless you all.
Tris
PS: Dances, If a stray cat clawed and bit you, when you tried to bring it in, you would be less critical. Just sayin’, ya know?
The aftermath of Katrina has been very enlightening for me with regards to human nature. I’m not talking about the behavior of a minority of the evacuees. I’m talking about how quickly people jump to indignation when they feel their charity isn’t being properly appreciated. Yeah, some evacuees have been trashy and tacky, but just as many New Orleanians did not have the material resources to weather this storm, many do not have the mental or emotional resources to deal with it, either.
I feel that charity isn’t supposed to have strings attached. If a person wants to make sure their charity is going to a deserving person who’s going to be “properly grateful,” then they need to make sure they’re donating to an organization that does that sort of screening, or which puts requirements on the donations, such as “you must be actively looking for a job” or whatever.
My husband put it best when watching one of those indignant news stories (on Fox, naturally) about those darn evacuees recklessly spending their money on cigs and forties. He said, “What the hell do you think those folks were spending their own money on before the storm? Do they expect people to be struck sober and smart by the hurricane?”
To Triskadecamus: Point taken, Sir. Thank you.
You are most welcome, Sir.
Tris