When I learned about it, I never forgot it

May 4, 2020 5:01 PM

173 years ago, the Choctaw Nation extended great generosity to the Irish people by donating famine relief during the Irish Potato Famine, despite having only recently survived the Trail of Tears themselves (previously). Today, the Irish people are paying that generosity forward by donating to the Navajo and Hopi nations en masse to support their struggles against the current coronavirus.
posted by sciatrix (16 comments total)

Just when I thought I couldn't cry any more today.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:08 PM on May 4, 2020 [11 favorites]

This is one of my more visceral happy feelings of human nature and I hope it stays strong forever.
posted by RolandOfEld at 5:32 PM on May 4, 2020 [6 favorites]

The GoFundMe link is available in the articles.

There are so many in need, so many good ways to help.... And this is one. If you can, please consider donating.
posted by meese at 5:45 PM on May 4, 2020 [4 favorites]

Reading the comments on the GoFundMe link is also good for the soul. I didn't link it directly so as not to break rules, but... If you go there, you can read the comments of all the people who care for one another and are extending solidarity.

Not charity, either, which is striking me in a part of myself I'm finding hard to articulate. Solidarity and kinship in memory of shared generosity, which is different. And better.
posted by sciatrix at 6:48 PM on May 4, 2020 [15 favorites]

This is truly beautiful, and I'm really glad to have read it today. A bit of goodness was needed. Thank you so much for posting!
posted by hippybear at 7:43 PM on May 4, 2020

This is just amazing. Thank you for sharing.
posted by pearlybob at 9:26 PM on May 4, 2020

Solidarity and kinship in memory of shared generosity, which is different. And better.

It's the opposite of the Hatfields and the McCoys. It's "generations ago, your people were nice to us, and we'll be nice back now while you need it".

Imagine if more of broader human society were built on this.
posted by hippybear at 9:32 PM on May 4, 2020 [20 favorites]

Imagine if more of broader human society were built on this.

*rejected Lennon lyric*
posted by hippybear at 9:33 PM on May 4, 2020 [7 favorites]

“Lafayette, we are here!”
posted by clew at 11:40 PM on May 4, 2020 [4 favorites]

This reminds me of William Cooper, the indigenous Australian who in 1938 led a ten kilometer march to the German consulate here in Melbourne and presented a letter of protest at the Nazi regime's mistreatment of Jews.

Indigenous Australians have and had their own problems with oppressive governments, and it was remarkably great-hearted of him to exert himself on behalf of strangers half a world away. Every time I think of it, I wonder at it.
posted by Joe in Australia at 11:43 PM on May 4, 2020 [44 favorites]

The Irish have long memories.
posted by Hogshead at 6:03 AM on May 5, 2020 [6 favorites]

Joe in Australia i want to thank you for bringing the knowledge of William Cooper into my life. Seems like a terrific man, and - my lord - mustache goals.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 7:42 AM on May 5, 2020 [6 favorites]

I was on vacation in Ireland just as the seriousness of the global pandemic became obvious (Northern Italy had just gone on lockdown while we were in Ireland) and I can't tell how many times the story of the Chocktaw's aid to the Irish people during came up in discussions about both the Great Hunger and the unfolding COVID-19 crisis. As Hogshead pointed out, the Irish do indeed have long memories and also a keen awareness of how things like a blight (or a virus) can devastate an already economically distressed and oppressed population.
posted by KingEdRa at 9:26 AM on May 5, 2020 [14 favorites]

The Governor of New Mexico has invoked the Riot Control Act and blocked all the roads into the city of Gallup, seat of Mckinley Country where the largest number of coronavirus infections in the state are located. This was done at the request of the Mayor of Gallup.
posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 5:25 PM on May 5, 2020

I just donated in memory of my grandparents, born in Ireland and came to the US in the late 1900s, and my ancestors who survived An Gorta Mor. Yes, the Irish have long memories for injustice, but also for justice and kindness. This is one small spark of human decency on both sides in a sea of greed and cruelty, especially the US federal government.
posted by mermayd at 9:15 AM on May 6, 2020 [5 favorites]

Just wanted to check back in to point out that the gofundme is now up to $3,472,010. This rez boy approves.
posted by nenequesadilla at 6:36 PM on May 10, 2020 [7 favorites]