America is a deeply divided country, or it would seem that way. According to a Gallop Poll from September 2024, 80 percent of Americans believe the country is split on the most important values. That’s a record high since Gallop began tracking in the 1990s.
The perception of division is consistent across gender, age, race, political affiliation and education level.
You do not need put much effort into finding the divisions. Our political and philosophical differences are on full display everyday on social media and the cable news networks, to the point that our disagreements become an “us vs. them” proposition. There is no room for compromise and we have all heard stories of relationships that have been fractured by political differences.
It’s true that political issues are polarizing and there is not much room for middle ground today but moments of crisis can illustrate just how superficial those differences are.
Torrential rains caused devastating flash floods in the Wheeling area Saturday night. By the break of dawn the next day, neighbors were already inquiring about how they could pitch in and help individuals who lost everything. Bree Dieterich, who helped organize relief efforts in Ohio County, is not directly impacted by the flooding but felt an overwhelming need to help out.
“Seeing some of these people I’ve known for a long time, I never thought they’d help out in certain ways and they’re bringing truckloads of stuff. Everybody is a friend right now. Nobody hates on each other right now. I’ve see people hugging people who would never hug anybody. It’s not something you see everyday, the friendship, wanting to be together. We have that right now.”
The response is not unusual. West Virginians act quickly when neighbors need help. The same types of stories can be told in Marion County following Sunday’s flash flooding or the February floods in McDowell County and other areas of southern West Virginia.
These catastrophic events highlight a unique Appalachian trait that is always present but often goes unreported. Everyday acts of selfless kindness don’t get the attention of the media the way a rowdy protest does. We do not want the attention any way.
Many of our ancestors who settled in the rugged mountains of what would become West Virginia, including Scotch-Irish and German immigrants, as well as Native Americans, brought a sense of of self-reliance and communal support that was ingrained into the culture. That culture of support became essential to survival in the isolated mountains.
That self-reliant and communal culture remains embedded in us today but is often overshadowed by what amounts to petty political differences driving the narrative that our communities are fragmented beyond repair.
When a disaster strikes or neighbors fall on hard times, West Virginia communities come together It’s a key part of our identity, reinforcing resilience and a sense of belonging. This ethos has helped communities weather challenges since the first settlers decided to call our rugged mountains homes.
It’s a trait that could also benefit us if it were on display more than just in our darkest and hardest times.