The flood damage that Britons continue to suffer is heartbreaking.
Homes and valuables have been water-damaged, and some local businesses may never recover from the loss of income, stock and equipment.
Absolute devastation in Hebden Bridge this morning & it's still rising. pic.twitter.com/E7aLpWkChc
— Steve Dyson (@StevenJDyson) December 26, 2015
Whilst everyone tries to chip and help those most affected, some mean-spirited individuals have decided to take the opportunity to spread hatred.
And so instead of focusing on those in need and how they can contribute, they take advantage of the situation to play a perverse game of disaster top trumps.
https://twitter.com/dove_from_above/status/681072315053010944
There have been numerous references to money donated to the likes of Pakistan, Syria, India and elsewhere, and either asking for it back, or arguing all foreign should cease immediately.
There has even been hatred directed towards refugees – even though a) they are clearly blameless, and b) a number have volunteered their time and efforts to help out.
We will rebuild. Hope everyone is ok. #hebdenbridge #floods @itvcalendar @BBCBreaking @HebdenBrTimes pic.twitter.com/0QbfAmI2tc
— The Afghan Rug Shop (@afghanrugshop) December 26, 2015
However, one man directly affected by the floods has addressed such sentiments head on with both admirable humanity and great eloquence.
Liam Cox from Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire, has watched on helpless as the local water levels have reached unprecedented heights.
Yet he refuses to entertain xenophobic thoughts and condemns those who do. Here is his brilliant retort:
I live in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, one of the worst affected areas hit by the floods. It’s sh*t, everything has gotten really wet.
However… I’m alive. I’m safe. My family are safe. We don’t live in fear. I’m free. There aren’t bullets flying about. There aren’t bombs going off. I’m not being forced to flee my home and I’m not being shunned by the richest countries in the world or criticised by its residents.
All you morons vomiting your xenophobia on here about how money should only be spent ‘on our own’ need to look at yourselves closely in the mirror. I request you ask yourselves a very important question… am I a decent and honourable human being? Because home isn’t just the UK, home is everywhere on this planet.
Rather thank condemn a kind gesture by a man who’s entitled to do what he wants with his own money, why don’t you DEMAND that your government donate the costs of a single British missile to the flood victims??
Get a grip, grow up and start looking outwards rather than inwards, it’s easy if you try.
