Recently, I have seen people making fun of what is happening in Texas. A winter storm hit Texas and has left many without power for days. The types of jokes I saw on social media said things like “Texans get a little bit of snow and don’t know how to act” and “Never forget that Texas voted for Trump, so this is what they get.”
I know social media apps, especially TikTok, tend to make light of everything and turn everything into a joke, but this is not the time. What is happening in Texas should be alarming to everyone and proof that climate change is very real. This should also show everyone how underequipped we are when natural disasters occur.
I saw a video on TikTok of a girl’s house and how the entire roof had collapsed. The infrastructure and housing in Texas was not built to withstand such severe weather.
It was extremely saddening to see this girl’s house completely destroyed. It was even worse to see all the comments under her video making fun of her situation.
As human beings we should be capable of having compassion for others. It is moments like these that determine how strong of a nation we are under difficult circumstances. Someone who showed complete disregard during this crisis is Ted Cruz, a senator of Texas.
I have never been a fan of Ted Cruz, given what he has stated about how “Pregnancy is not a life-threatening illness, and the abortion pill does not cure or prevent any disease.” I am Pro-Choice all the way so this statement of his disgusted me. He is easily one of my least favorite politicians, but that is besides the point right now.
The issue at hand, is that Ted Cruz was caught leaving Texas to go to Cancun. When confronted about it, Ted Cruz told reporters that his daughters asked to go on a trip and he was trying to balance being a lawmaker and a “good dad.”
What I find interesting is how he is even allowing his daughters to go on a trip during a pandemic. This shows how he is disregarding the pandemic and the crisis in Texas.
I believe Ted Cruz only returned to Texas because he got caught. Otherwise, I am sure he’d be sipping on a piña colada on the beach right now without a care in the world.
There are people in Texas that have been going without heat, water, or electricity for days on end. I find it extremely disheartening that people are making fun of the situation instead of trying to provide support, whether that is monetary support or emotional support.
The Austin Area Urban League launched the #LoveThyNeighborTX campaign to provide shelter, food, water, clothing and more to those in need during this moment of crisis. There are many more ways to provide support to Texans in need. I highly encourage you all to help in any way you can.
Let’s help Texas get through this difficult time and remember to have compassion for others. This could happen to you or someone you love.