There’s been a lot of murmuring around Nashville, complaints that the national media had forgotten about us. Maybe they thought the flood was exaggerated. Maybe they just had other things to think about. Maybe they just think all there is to Tennessee is the Grand Old Opry … and Deliverance.
What maybe they don’t know is that Tennessee isn’t really prone to exaggeration. We aren’t a region that overly boasts. But we are the home to some of the best music, the best hospitals, the best food, and the best landscape our country can offer. We love slow food, slow evenings of wine and conversation, and a fast game of hockey or football. Our economy isn’t bad, we don’t pay income tax and everyone is generally in a good mood, most of the time.
So I was thinking…what’s different? Why aren’t we getting the media attention like other cities have?
And I realized it.
We love. We work. We clean up. We rebuild.
We aren’t looting.
We aren’t taking advantage.
We aren’t throwing rocks at police.
We are helping our neighbors, because that’s what neighbors do. We’re hearing stories of hope, of restoration, of mercy.
And if it requires our city to take on an uncivilized, selfish face to get the media’s attention, then forget it.
There is a sign on a church in East Nashville that says something like “God wasn’t in the tornado, God is in the response”, in reference to the tornado that tore through our neighborhood in 1998. This isn’t any different.
And after our neighbors are back in their homes, the music is back at the Opry and the Symphony Center and the Titans are back running on their field, we will know that our city is a stronger, safer more beautiful place, simply because the people love, and love well.
Awesome response, Lori.
Great post, Lori, and you’re absolutely right about Tennessee!
Well done.
Thanks for sharing this, Lori! Love it!
Lori, thank you for posting this. It’s sad to know that many are suffering here without national attention, but it makes you remember those for whom devastation and loss are daily burdens that often go without our knowing.
It’s my first time dealing with and witnessing any of this firsthand. I’m at a loss for words: thankful that my roommate and I escaped any sort of damage to our home or property; worried and heartbroken over the loss those close to us have endured; confused and bewildered over it all.
All we can do is hold on in faith, knowing (and trusting) that God will restore all things, just as He’s promised. That He is “in the response.”
I’ve been trying to get out of Nashville for years, and finally succeed to move just days before the flood. Seeing the great response of my former neighbors to this tragedy reminds me that Nashville wasn’t that bad of a place and I wish that I was back there helping out.
You are so right. It seems nobody cares about us here in Tennessee. They only like to tell about the looting and other bad stuff that goes along with the flood.
Fantastic! This makes me want to move there all the more.
This is a beautiful post. Thank you for sharing this!
thanks lori… very well said.
Praying for you all!
Great post, very well said! I love my Middle Tennessee!
The comments that folks have made on the lack of looting seem misplaced. If Nashville had a heavily populated, tightly-packed urban center and the emergency response had been terrible, who knows what would have happened? I’m not knocking the spirit of the townsfolk, just pointing out that this and Katrina are apples and oranges.
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I didn’t get the difference, until you explained. I spent the last few days wondering why the media ignored us, not that we need the attention, just that every other disaster was “overly” covered. You hit the nail on the head! Great post!
Well said!!! Thank you for putting this, too, into perspective.
Lori,
Thanks for this. Thanks for seizing the glory of moving forward without the glory of media attention. Thanks for reminding us that is in our strength that we are often forgotten – as cities and as people. Thanks for not letting us forget.
Girl, you go.
Loved your post, Lori, and inspired me to use a few lines in my video, here:
http://vimeo.com/11489778
Thank you for writing a great piece. Like so many others, it has been hard for me to work the past few days…needed that message.
wow ben – i’m honored…beautiful video! thank you!
I have skid steer’s & equipment suitable for clean up purposes.. Who can I contact?
Extremely well said with a wonderful attitude. Please don’t think we’ve forgotten. Even if we’re not in a position to help physically or with monetary donations, we’re sending up good thoughts, saying prayers and spreading the word.
I have been thinking it but you said it perfectly!
I’ve been crabbing about this for days. I called my husband’s parents in Australia on Monday thinking surely they will be worried about us. Nothing. They had heard nothing and they are elderly people who watch the news casts religiously. Yesterday, I called again and Mum said it was a little “blip” on the National news.
Yep. The lack of scandal was rolling around in the back of my head, but you vocalized it and make me think ,”aha!” The squeaky wheel gets the grease, but you guys just rolled up your sleeves instead of whining. For that I am thankful and proud. Go Nashville!
Wonderful post. It amazes me how many people are unaware of what has happened across TN and especially in Nashville over this past week. I called Nashville home for most of my life (okay, I still call Nashville home… I just don’t live there). I wish there was more I could do from here to help out. I am so glad to hear of so many jumping in and helping out those who need help (not that I expected anything different!)
yep. as i recall, the media was completely engrossed with the failed car-bomb attempt in times square. by the way, it’s unlikely a ‘trained’ terrorist would fail so miserably, but that’s another topic. as you noted, if the media were to have covered the flood in any detail whatsoever, they would have discovered a community coming together in tandem. today’s media agenda is more focused on creating division, therefore, nashville’s reaction didn’t fit the bill.