Sussexes statement about Californian wildfires

[PrettyFlyforaMaiTai]

Meghan and Harry have released a statement in regards to the California wildfire via their Sussex.com website.

It reads:

”In the last few days, wildfires in Southern California have raged through neighborhoods and devastated families, homes, schools, medical care centers, and so much more – affecting tens of thousands from all walks of life.
A state of emergency has been issued.
If you feel compelled to help, here are some resources and ideas:
Support
Organizations such as José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, which has been a longtime partner of The Archewell Foundation, are serving meals to both first responders and victims of the fire.
CAL FIRE and LA Fire Department Foundation and others are working closely to support firefighters who risk their lives, bravely showing up in these high-risk environments to help save homes, families, and communities in need.
Animal Wellness Foundation is continuing to house and care for animals evacuated by the fires while Compton Cowboys is providing emergency transportation services for horses.
Airbnb and 211LA have partnered to provide free, temporary housing for those who have been displaced.

Baby2baby is providing essential supplies including diapers, clothing, hygiene products, and emergency kits to families in need.
All Power Books and many others are staying open for emergency use, offering supplies and water for pickup while working tirelessly to distribute essentials to those affected.

Open your home
If a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do. And be sure to check in with any disabled or elderly neighbors to see if they need help evacuating.
Give back
Some families and people have been left with nothing. Please consider donating clothing, children’s toys & clothing, and other essentials. The American Red Cross is on the ground helping those in need.”

That's nice.

But Harry and Meghan have donated, and have committed to continuing to donate?

It’s their standard boilerplate header on their website and all releases – if they’d done something different, that would have been the story. And they’d have been critiqued for overthinking, for changing their PR template – “Unbelievable that they’re thinking about optics at a time like this”, etc.

I do agree it might have looked better if she’d used Instagram, or she could have posted a series of Instagram stories directly linking to all the organisations (stories often have more reach than grid) and got her 1.5m followers donating that way – but then it’s coming only from Meghan, not them together, so then the story is “well, what’s Harry doing?” Or she’d be accused of using her fairly new Instagram to co-opt a major news story, or prioritising optics, or overthinking it again – “Why is she suddenly all over Instagram, don’t they have that phoney ‘from the office of’ letterhead?” There isn’t enough M&H goodwill left for them to announce in any other way than their standard operating procedure.

Again, they’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t, so I applaud them for doing something anyway. It’s easier to keep your head below the parapet but it’s good they haven’t.

Yet they haven't told people what to do! Did you read the statement properly? They said if you feel compelled to...in others words if you want to help here are some ways you can..listing lots for ways one of which is open your homes to people.

Jennifer Aniston actually gave excellent advice about how to protect your own animals while helping fleeing wildlife:

https://x.com/realitytv4lyfe/status/1877090884711321973?mx=2

Housing deer, bear, racoon, foxes, etc in her home is illegal unless she's a licensed wildlife rehabber. Also not safe for her or the animals. She's probably quietly donating as she is a known animal lover

I think the word ‘compelled’ was a poor choice. Simpler language is better - along the lines of, ‘if you want to donate, here are some ideas’

And yes, their communication channels are a bit of a mess - she has insta, he doesn’t. The ‘office of’ is risible. But them’s their only choices at the moment.

I think the word ‘compelled’ was a poor choice.

😆

I think it's appropriate. In disasters like people have to urge to donate or help it's coming from a feeling to do something hence you feel compelled to help out

Anyway. If anyone wants to donate-All Power Books take Venmo. Animal Wellness Foundation takes PayPal. Compton Cowboys looks to be a fascinating organization, but I can't at first glance see an easy donation route. Baby2Baby take cards. World Central Kitchen takes ApplePay.

So what's your opinion op?

To me it seems very formal and cold. No sending of wishes or thoughts with etc. and I know they'll get knocked for saying emotional stuff but without it it just seems like a genetic press release

Are people really struggling with the word compelled?!

Other celebrities and brands have done that - because right now this is a huge threat to all of them, it's a devastating situation and there isn't time for emotions. In due course, as things settle, it's the time for it.

I think this is it, you have hit the nail on the head. formal and cold, is exactly how it comes across.

You are correct that the things they do whatever they are will be picked over. This is to be expected from a couple who built their image on criticism and complaining. That is their MO. Eg Harry has commented on his brother's choice of wife and his children to the world - absolutely wrong. That's only one example as we know. It is therefore to be expected he will be treated in the same way as he laid out. You sow what you reap.

Sorry you reap what you sow.

I thought she was overly emotional about her dog 5 minutes ago. Now shes too formal and cold. If shes blubbed about how awful it was she would have been pulled apart by the very same people for making it all about her. It sounds like they are trying to take themselves out of the situation as much as possible so as not to distract, but they may as well do what they like, because people will tie themselves in knots just to criticise. The absolute obsession with picking apart every single thing this woman does is absurd.

Well, exactly. They'll get knocked for any emotion because it's "making it about them". Without emotion, it's too cold and formal. If they hadn't said anything, they'd be ignorant and privileged. If they went out to help, they'd be accused of using it for PR.

Some people on this thread won't be happy until it's confirmed that Harry and Meghan started the fires deliberately using piles of portraits of the royal family as kindling.

Harry has done the absolute lions share of moaning, slagging off his family and not correcting things if they were actually incorrect. He gets nowhere near the barrage of abuse she does. If they divorce, he will be welcomed back by the British public with open arms. His children, I suspect, not so much. I think that's why so many people are bizarrely desperate for them not to exist, or be born of surrogates etc.

I have no doubt that they are sitting there shitting their pants in case fires start in their area. The whole situation is awful. I'm sure Meghan is thinking " wtf I've got a new Netflix show coming out soon" . LA is going to change with these fires. It is going to be a long road to recovery. No one is going to have time for fluff pieces and this could be the death knell for Meghan's career.

Yes, I know what it means. And I think it’s a poor choice. What linguistics call ‘unmarked’ language would be preferable

And before you say it, no I’m not nick picking every word. I was referring to two things that I found jarring

I am sure Meghan has genuine sorrow about her birthplace too.

@Tomatotater I don't think that the UK would be happy to have Harry back . Most people think of him as a waster and a wanker. Some of those ideas you are proferring come from the loonies you see on more extreme forums.

I find it ironic how certain posters endlessly harp on about H & M criticising and complaining about others, and then go on to create or contribute to endless posts, indeed threads, doing the very same thing about them!

Still pretending to be relevant and royal.

This is the kind of response you expect to see on here when someone cannot come back with a sensible comment about the situation. Can't answer? Will try to attack the poster - say they are obsessive, unhinged, besotted etc. Clever me - that will work. 🙄