I talked to the Black residents of Altadena who say they’ve lost everything but hope. “When you escape tragedy, you say, ‘it could have got me.’ It didn’t. So I’m going to keep on going,” said 83-year-old Walt Butler. - ThreadSky

phillewis.bsky.social • 165 days ago

I talked to the Black residents of Altadena who say they’ve lost everything but hope.

“When you escape tragedy, you say, ‘it could have got me.’ It didn’t. So I’m going to keep on going,” said 83-year-old Walt Butler.

Comments

libraryanna.bsky.social•165 days ago

Such a tragic loss. Sounds like they have the strength and mutual support to recover.

momnanagigi.bsky.social•165 days ago

God Bless them🙏❤️❤️

iveyjanette.bsky.social•165 days ago

We had family friends who lived near Fair Oaks & Loma Alta. I spent a lot of time going through those hills as a kid. So many people lost everything.

shebatiti.bsky.social•165 days ago

Me too. This is heartbreaking. I have friends that had to be evacuated and some that lost their homes.

iveyjanette.bsky.social•165 days ago

Luckily our friends are safe. They live in Inglewood, Culver City and South Central. Some of them won't be able to go to work until the fires hopefully die out.

niland2024.bsky.social•165 days ago

That community is my main concern. It's heartbreaking. They need to be prioritized by true need. Not a billionare losing a beach house. Although many in the Palisades were middle class, too. Rebuilding for most will be impossible. It's a horrible situation

ewinternm.bsky.social•165 days ago

In these parts there was a HUGE wildfire nearby, 500 sq mi. Nearly 3 years later, a lot of people still awaiting settlement. So called “controlled burn” by USFS started it so there was even a special Congressional appropriation. ProPublica’s been covering

msmcdole.bsky.social•163 days ago

I admire that attitude. Not sure I could be so strong.

lajae-thats-me.bsky.social•165 days ago

🥹🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️

nerdflipp.bsky.social•165 days ago

So sad

lionsleeps4ever.bsky.social•165 days ago

😢💔 Prayers up to the universe that nobody else is hurt and everyone is able to recover, both emotionally and physically.

cindralaluna.bsky.social•165 days ago

Bless you Sir we are all thinking of you and your neighbors 🩷

al-nesbitt-music.bsky.social•165 days ago

Inspiring! ✨🙏✨

adept2u.bsky.social•165 days ago

Pasadena was the only district to have court mandated busing west of the Mississippi. I was a member of the first class to go from Kindergarten integrated. I also lost my home in the fire. I ended up going to the Black high school because I lived east of Lake and they bused by where you lived

adept2u.bsky.social•165 days ago

Because they didnt sell homes to Black people east of Lake (see pinned skeet) the Black side contained very nice neighborhoods and I went to school with the kids of the first Black person to fill in the blank. All the fruits as far as the homes the first Blacks to get homes for inheritance burned

maziemae.bsky.social•165 days ago

Muir?

adept2u.bsky.social•165 days ago

What you know about these mustangs? 😀

maziemae.bsky.social•165 days ago

Errthang?? Remember Browns Babeque. And Chans Market??

adept2u.bsky.social•165 days ago

And the no tell motel 😂

maziemae.bsky.social•165 days ago

Yesss!! Lol lol

maziemae.bsky.social•165 days ago

I grew up on Armada Dr … right up the hill from the Bowl. Off Westgate

adept2u.bsky.social•165 days ago

I know where that is!

maziemae.bsky.social•165 days ago

Just found out my cousin old apartment on Lake is gone … the parties we had there!!! Sooo many good memories.

adept2u.bsky.social•165 days ago

My spot was on roughly Altadena Dr and holliston

adept2u.bsky.social•165 days ago

Lake is gone from New York to the top

thedo0dah62.bsky.social•165 days ago

I hope history doesn’t repeat itself with this community. May they all stay strong.

redpoppy2.bsky.social•165 days ago

Newsom’s fact sheet on the fires. He had to write it while coordinating the fire fight, bringing in neighboring countries to help, and consoling his people.

https://gavinnewsom.com/california-fire-facts/

jillc1024.bsky.social•165 days ago

Nobody who’s lost their home “will be fine” but these people desperately need help. Please share suggestions for where to donate to their community.

transmascdruid.bsky.social•165 days ago

@papst-ny.bsky.social

todd3376.bsky.social•165 days ago

Same reason why I'm alive today - an ancient Chinese proverb I heard as a child that completely changed my world view, "Fall down 7 times, get up 8 times."

luful.bsky.social•165 days ago

🥲🫶🏼

grybion.bsky.social•165 days ago

Here's how to help one family, https://gofund.me/505ab57b

grybion.bsky.social•159 days ago

And here’s the google doc with the whole list of families who need help. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pK5omSsD4KGhjEHCVgcVw-rd4FZP9haoijEx1mSAm5c/htmlview?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY2nsO-GU46zfCaXc755sQsa1QIsUkF0zwR8hymxJuMr5f-aJgiQzWZiA4_aem_zz0En1zr_80HERcxUpNmFA&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

smilingoutloud.bsky.social•165 days ago

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

bronte1966.bsky.social•165 days ago

And they will be last on the list for assistance

hds1.bsky.social•165 days ago

I used to drive through Altadena at lunch when I worked in Pasadena … it was an old yet nice area.Sad

munciecarl.bsky.social•165 days ago

Wise, man!

battleax-70.bsky.social•165 days ago

The stuff is representive of the story behind it.

The story of papas cup.
The story of the childhood picture.
The story of the fabulous dress you wore.
The stories of your life.

Remain forvever.

vinosmax.bsky.social•165 days ago

Is there an organization specific to this neighborhood we can support. I am happy to help individual families but all are in need and I want to help as many as I can.

mjacob4404.bsky.social•165 days ago

We are all devastated for you and your community

hurhurhhurhur.bsky.social•165 days ago

Why only blacks???

phillewis.bsky.social•165 days ago

The purpose of my newsletter is to highlight stories about the Black American experience, which historically have been ignored by traditional news outlets

mzann.bsky.social•165 days ago

Maybe you should go talk to only whites

bzegrl1.bsky.social•165 days ago

Seriously, like wtf? You see how THEY get when we loon out for our own?

mzann.bsky.social•165 days ago

Deleted my last post because I thought you meant something else. I apologize. I completely agree with you. They have a fit when we look out for our own when they do it ALL the time.

bzegrl1.bsky.social•164 days ago

Hugs to you, funny as I was typing that response, I knew, but I also had faith you would get it. 🫶🏾✌🏾

mzann.bsky.social•164 days ago

Your post was straight fwd. It was all my fault. I got confused when I thought it was the person who took issue with the OP. 😊

g00dluvv.bsky.social•165 days ago

Probably because no one has been talking to them.
The only people I see getting interviewed on my TV all the way in NC are white people. ZERO blacks, Asians, or Latinos. So that's why.

hurhurhhurhur.bsky.social•165 days ago

Then just interview non-whites. I don't see why the focus has to be on blacks

g00dluvv.bsky.social•162 days ago

Do black people always have to "be the ones to be bigger & do for everybody?" It's crazy that when black people start assisting their own, yall get up in arms & are quick to holler why not include everybody. Do you do the same when there's NO black representation & other minority representation?

eediva.bsky.social•165 days ago

So sad. 🙏🏾🙏🏾Prayers going up for Altadena.

dawnfrei.bsky.social•165 days ago

Black people have always had to be strong to survive. Throughout our history, hope, faith, and personal strength was all they could call their own, making them resilient in a way that most white people will never know. That’s why Mr. Butler has that hopeful attitude and most whites do not.

dawnfrei.bsky.social•165 days ago

And this isn’t saying that whites aren’t suffering or have the right to be upset. But what Mr. Butler said about being grateful for still being here and that he’s just going to keep going is rarely the first thing we hear from many whites.

shryscookn.bsky.social•165 days ago

That’s just not true. We hear it from white people all the time after tragedy hits. We hear it from all people. Stop stoking the flames of black against white/ white against black.

bzegrl1.bsky.social•165 days ago

This!! 👏🏾👏🏾

jadeabliss.bsky.social•165 days ago

Lord have mercy…🙏🏾💔

nikahoneyy.bsky.social•165 days ago

This is terrible. My goodness.

darrellrparker.bsky.social•165 days ago

This is the most profound of tragedies, I am hoping they recover quickly

jadeabliss.bsky.social•165 days ago

So hard to imagine. I hope they recover quickly too…

truebluedeb1.bsky.social•165 days ago

💔😥💔
Truly heartwrenching 🥹

jadeabliss.bsky.social•165 days ago

💔

freedom2b.bsky.social•165 days ago

❤️💐

copgil.bsky.social•165 days ago

https://www.publicradiotulsa.org/local-regional/2021-05-28/ahead-of-massacre-centennial-tulsa-county-democratic-party-acknowledges-racist-past

copgil.bsky.social•165 days ago

Could have been saved, but they voted for Karen Blass. https://www.news360.es/india/2022/11/17/democrat-karen-blass-makes-history-by-becoming-first-female-mayor-of-los-angeles-8/

cavan14.bsky.social•165 days ago

That had nothing to do with a drought and 80 mph winds. Facts matter.

robertelewis.bsky.social•165 days ago

I know Altadena as a dairy producer. So sorry about the fires.

marlymarieport.bsky.social•165 days ago

Any celebrity (cough khloe kardashian cough) could be using their platforms to fundraiser for people instead of criticizing relief efforts.

lionsleeps4ever.bsky.social•165 days ago

It's all about clicks, followers and viewers for them. I cannot imagine them having one iota of concern for the people on the ground, including the first responders. If they cared, they would tie up their over indulgent weaves and do some good for those who have been completely devastated.

bzegrl1.bsky.social•165 days ago

They’re too busy cosplaying as Black to actually go out & help Black people.

myriadblues.bsky.social•165 days ago

foodlabdetroit.bsky.social•165 days ago

The Eaton Fire in Altadena has claimed more than just homes. It has taken elders, legacies, and history from one of the most significant Black communities in Southern California. This loss is bigger than any headline about celebrity mansions! 🧵

foodlabdetroit.bsky.social•165 days ago

Victor Shaw, 66, died with a garden hose in his hand, trying to save his family home of 55 years. He understood that his home wasn’t just property—it was proof of what Black families could build and sustain against all odds. /2

foodlabdetroit.bsky.social•165 days ago

Erliene Kelley, 83, stayed in her home as the flames approached. She texted her granddaughter, “It’s in God’s hands,” and watched her legacy burn. Erliene was a retired pharmacy tech who had lived in her home for over 40 years. Her neighbors called her “an angel.” /3

foodlabdetroit.bsky.social•165 days ago

Rodney Nickerson, 82, a retired aerospace engineer, also perished. His grandfather founded Golden State Mutual Life Insurance, a cornerstone of Black economic empowerment. His home stood as a symbol of generational excellence and dignity./4

foodlabdetroit.bsky.social•165 days ago

Anthony Mitchell, 67, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, died waiting for an ambulance that never came. Their story is a cruel reminder of the systemic failures that Black communities face in moments of crisis. /5

foodlabdetroit.bsky.social•165 days ago

These weren’t just homes. They were monuments to resilience, anchors of generational wealth, and physical proof of what Black families have built. When these homes burn, we lose more than property. We lose history, culture, and stability. /6

pfalcon.bsky.social•165 days ago

🙏

irepresentsinners.bsky.social•165 days ago

Y’all. This is…absolutely fucking insane. I mean the clean up alone is going to take a while. CA has only been able to cover insurance for one more year and the incoming admin is not going to help. It’s reported that it will take at least 10 years to recover from this. Where’s everyone gonna go?

irepresentsinners.bsky.social•165 days ago

Not trying to make matter worse with my thinking. I’m genuinely concerned, being an LA citizen. I hope they all have families outside of LA or at least out of the evacuation zones to take them in. Thankful for the neighbors offering their homes and businesses as shelter!

tlf5foot8.bsky.social•165 days ago

This is very very sad. This is the future for all of humanity. It’s not a matter of when, but how.

sacwired.bsky.social•165 days ago

❤️

butterflyhg.bsky.social•165 days ago

Some of the greatest people emerge from tragedy, as we can only hope that we would have half as much bravery and the ability to move forward. Amazing🥰

chicagojcb.bsky.social•165 days ago

I appreciated the list of gofundmes from Altadena Black families. It is a good way to help.

notgoingback2024.bsky.social•164 days ago

So sorry... 🙏❤️

oxenburgh.bsky.social•165 days ago

No difference really from the rednecks of North Carolina but I heard nothing much about the latter.
Sad another group has to struggle.

dolly41.bsky.social•165 days ago

Lenders require insurance. I hope everyone can rebuild, but I see a lack of insurance an issue.

jedicounselor.bsky.social•165 days ago

RESPECT!

kygirl1.bsky.social•165 days ago

My prayer is that this community and others are able to rebuild stronger and without delays.❤️

kaiduponte.bsky.social•165 days ago

There is so much media figuring on the celebrities who lost their homes—and while I feel bad for any loss, it is the middle class that can’t afford to stay somewhere else while they rebuild. I am on Maui and have seen how the Lahaina Fire has broken so many emotionally and financially.

ancientone.bsky.social•165 days ago

We all keep too many Things.

tiffany.thetriibe.com•165 days ago

📌

heimanjoel.bsky.social•165 days ago

📌

glynis64.bsky.social•165 days ago

Two of my cousins lost everything! Been in Alta Dena for at least 40 years.

bjapriesonyx.bsky.social•165 days ago

I felt that.. 🙏🏿

cminga.bsky.social•165 days ago

Is Walt Butler on the Google Doc donation sheet?

sonyasteele.bsky.social•165 days ago

As in all things, Black folks have no time for despair.

skepmi.bsky.social•165 days ago

Please, please donate to this neighborhood! Celebraties and wealthier people have the funds to rebuild their lives back immediately. This lower income diverse neighborhood need the most help! Not only have they lost their homes, most have lost their places of employment!

penelopespitstop.bsky.social•165 days ago

Nice article

My dads house burned down in Altadena, I just sent it to him

Thank you 😊

actnsang192.bsky.social•165 days ago

📌

kat86.bsky.social•165 days ago

When you’ve been down so many times you only know to keep going

jonnyboy-hs.bsky.social•165 days ago

I’m struggling to understand why this is the first time I’m hearing these stories. Thank you for sharing and providing clarity of the FULL impact of the fires.

mercedeswilliams.bsky.social•165 days ago

Lots of stories are being shared on TikTok, but unfortunately they’re hardly in the news. Major news outlets are not a good source for anything these days

ryanfaja.bsky.social•165 days ago

Local news and independent journalists have been doing a decent job of reporting on stories like this, but the national media seems to mostly focused on celebrities. It’s a sad indictment of what the news and national journalism has become.

lisa26hd.bsky.social•164 days ago

They report on what they care about

ba-fa.bsky.social•165 days ago

We all need some of Walt’s moxie right about now, just sayin.

wanderer3147.bsky.social•164 days ago

https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/kcrw-features/altadena-black-community

anonymousprofitt.bsky.social•165 days ago

I want to cry… I’m so greatful for the American, Mexican and Canadian fire fighting services for fighting this YOUR ALL amazing… also I don’t support prison labor but the prisoner firefighters, I salute u and thank u for saving lives today your amazing too

jadeabliss.bsky.social•165 days ago

well said. 💙💔

anonymousprofitt.bsky.social•165 days ago

Thank u

sofijaantonio.bsky.social•165 days ago

That’s a great effort from them, a big thanks to them

daskrunkle.bsky.social•165 days ago

It almost feels orchestrated.
We all know blackrock is gonna buy up all the land for dirt cheap and use their ungodly wealth to rebuild homes to parasitize new tenants.

bertch313.bsky.social•162 days ago

I absolutely believe these fires were set or amplified by our own govt to be as destructive as possible

shebatiti.bsky.social•165 days ago

🎯

feduphoolie.bsky.social•165 days ago

NOW you're on to something. F*!-?n exploitation. The name of the uber wealthy's game. They'll create "investment groups" using other's money, but the ones at the top/beginning will benefit the most.

one-infinity.bsky.social•165 days ago

https://www.propublica.org/article/climate-change-will-make-parts-of-the-u-s-uninhabitable-americans-are-still-moving-there -ONE.

one-infinity.bsky.social•165 days ago

https://projects.propublica.org/climate-migration/ -ONE.

roq11.bsky.social•165 days ago

📌

lamodenyc.bsky.social•165 days ago

wow such a beautiful positive spirit. I pray great things come to all affected by these horrific fires.

twcarey.bsky.social•165 days ago

The house my nephew was renting in Altadena for many years burned down. He and his wife moved over the summer. My heart goes out to everyone who has lost their homes and possessions.

jonesro.bsky.social•165 days ago

Just realize, that all these many years later, the black neighborhoods in NOLA have not been rebuilt.

gutsywoman19.bsky.social•165 days ago

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pK5omSsD4KGhjEHCVgcVw-rd4FZP9haoijEx1mSAm5c/htmlview

cheamus.bsky.social•164 days ago

https://bsky.app/profile/aziedungey.bsky.social/post/3lfhupwjbms2p

sheepstealers.bsky.social•165 days ago

Human Rights are a binary choice; you either have them or you don’t; you either have the right to vote or you don’t; you either have the right of sexual orientation or you don’t; you either have the right to bodily autonomy or you don’t. The Nazi GOP are well on the way to REMOVING YOUR HUMAN RIGHTS

barbjohnson.bsky.social•165 days ago

💔🥲When you have hope, you have faith tomorrow will be better. The power of love gives you the resilience to endure the darkest of times in order to see the light of hope. We must support our friends & neighbors in their hour of need in these fires. Salvation Army & Red Cross are taking donations.

kimoralynn.bsky.social•165 days ago

How can we help them specifically. I am.asking because they are who I want to help.

dee76450.bsky.social•165 days ago

💔💔

lilrooster59.bsky.social•165 days ago

Prayers go out to all those affected by these horrible fires.

countrygal.bsky.social•165 days ago

If possible I would dedicate donations to Altadena

jenshops.bsky.social•165 days ago

🩷 Here’s the Eaton Fire Relief and Recovery fund: https://pasadena.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6192. You can also go to gofundme and search altadena for people who need donations: https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=altadena

davidgilbertvoiceover.com•165 days ago

I sincerely hope there is as much fundraising to support this community as those in the "white" neighborhoods!!!

aajonesy68.bsky.social•165 days ago

Is someone deliberately setting these fires? In these specific places?

stopburningthings.bsky.social•165 days ago

If someone somehow snuck in in 100 mph winds in tinder dry conditions and set a fire but somehow escaped that fire blowing on them (in again a massive hurricane style wind storm, where tree branches were flying all over, where they fire was at high risk of blowing back). Anythings possible I guess

aajonesy68.bsky.social•165 days ago

Just weird. Lots of fires everywhere.

papakila.bsky.social•165 days ago

🙏

bluesky-api.bsky.social•165 days ago

Expecting a LOT of rich white developers to swoop in quick to gentrify these very valuable black & poc neighborhoods. They've been waiting for decades to do what climate change is doing for them.

After.... they.... made climate... change...happe.... holy sh** 😱

mojobo80.bsky.social•165 days ago

Happens every time

madgemlaments.bsky.social•165 days ago

I hope there is not a land grab to displace them.

vspouse.bsky.social•165 days ago

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

transverseranges.bsky.social•165 days ago

Altadena is a community of diverse people. It is a proud somewhat forgotten community. It is a community of people that believe in each other. Not fearful of each other. Hardworking people, Artists, scientists, folks that appreciate each other. We will rise and rebuild. With the pride of community.

kristies.bsky.social•165 days ago

Such brave people and Americans. Donate to all those dealing with these disasters due to climate change.😢🇺🇲

jsatz.bsky.social•165 days ago

https://bsky.app/profile/saulwilliams.bsky.social/post/3lfi5bvyzqc2y

june29.bsky.social•165 days ago

what a lady ❤️

415goldblooded.bsky.social•165 days ago

❤️💪🏽💪🏽

We are beyond resilient

tannerpowell.bsky.social•165 days ago

Sydney Battle shared this excellent Google doc of black resident gofundme’s
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pK5omSsD4KGhjEHCVgcVw-rd4FZP9haoijEx1mSAm5c/htmlview

yanaarlee.bsky.social•165 days ago

I lost everything twice, moved to the Russian River, got all settled in, and the River flooded,...

thepsyoflife.bsky.social•165 days ago

I don't know if this really goes here, so forgive me if I'm wrong. The grace with which the Black community or at least so many in the Black community handle injustice and misfortune with grace and aplomb.

https://wp.me/p7vabV-6sZ

davehaterofracism.bsky.social•165 days ago

I liked the ( white ) guy who said ' I might be 91 but I am still going to make a new start '

mercedeswilliams.bsky.social•165 days ago

It breaks my heart hearing about the elderly people who have lost everything and have to start over. Obviously it’s sad for everyone, but the elderly people just hit a soft spot for me. 🥺

davehaterofracism.bsky.social•165 days ago

I hope he achieves it

mercedeswilliams.bsky.social•165 days ago

I hope so too.

pckak.bsky.social•163 days ago

😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘

walteriv.bsky.social•165 days ago

Another. Chef Rob and his family were on W. Harriet.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-lsg-sky-chefs-team-lax-after-fire?modal=donations&tab=all

belnot.bsky.social•165 days ago

All, we need to reach much much more millions of Blue Skye followers “before 2025, 19th Jan.”, because X has more than 200.000.000 followers if we need to have our say & to be heard by all.

smokestacks07036.bsky.social•165 days ago

My heart goes out to them. The millionaires will be fine. The little guy will suffer the most. My ❤️ and 🙏 are with all ✌️

libpappap.bsky.social•165 days ago

❤️‍🩹

obama2067.bsky.social•165 days ago

…and the people who only see race are already segregating victims…

alice6828.bsky.social•165 days ago

There’s a link to the families GoFundMe’s in that article.

jussiejus.bsky.social•165 days ago

Man I love black resilience

doodles12.bsky.social•165 days ago

🙏🙏🙏😪

gaby16wright.bsky.social•165 days ago

The media response as always a tale of two communities. Seems more outrage & demand answers why Palisades had slow response time versus the working class black & brown communities of Altadena & Sylmar. Not one news channel has questioned that response time or resources to those communities. 😡🤬

silencedogood2.bsky.social•165 days ago

PL 💙TY for your posts.

Please Repost 💙Real CA ☎️resource Helplines.
Main Numbers in case of internet issues. 🛜
TY 🦋

Report price gouging & scams.

Calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams

silencedogood2.bsky.social•165 days ago

Billionaire generosity to the inauguration, wonder if they have considered donating to disaster relief.
Amazon, Walmart, Meta Apple, can they donate homes, clothing, phones,dollars etc. to CA displaced residents?

revanche.bsky.social•164 days ago

Phil, do you know if any of the residents are aware of this supplement they can apply for? Is this info we can get to them?

https://bsky.app/profile/jorgerivera.bsky.social/post/3lfibdoeal22b

sasha-rhys.bsky.social•165 days ago

As an Angeleno, I want to get loud about making sure this community gets to rebuild. The vultures are just waiting to descend…please share any efforts

isonope.bsky.social•165 days ago

😔

joyceschlessin1.bsky.social•165 days ago

So very sad for all the people that lost loved ones, homes, businesses and institutions. My prayers go out to all🙏.

grumpygrumpyowl.bsky.social•165 days ago

Thank you for this. Would you consider that list you linked to to be vetted and by whom? Just wanna be careful before I share the shit out of it.

texanbybirth.bsky.social•165 days ago

My heart breaks for the whole community. Being displaced from your community is a huge, tangible loss.

anonmrbear.bsky.social•165 days ago

Please keep us informed of ways to assist this community.

craigery79.bsky.social•165 days ago

🙏

oaq2017.bsky.social•165 days ago

I’m just curious 🧐. First, California known for wild fires 🔥 since the gold rush era. I noticed that’s California homes, don’t have built in sprinklers system. Old homes nor the new homes. The state of California got a lot cutting corners on building codes violations over the years.

grisgris4me.bsky.social•165 days ago

We are all feeling for them. Please TELL THEM we care!!!

phoenix-rising222.bsky.social•165 days ago

💔 In today’s whiplash climate this could be any one of us. Thinking about Walt and all the others there. 🙏 that they get all the help they need to rebuild and to survive meanwhile.

pubhealthdoc.bsky.social•165 days ago

I hope the finding of the disparities in FEMA support for black applicants has improved. If not it will definitely NOT happen under Felon 47.

paulette59.bsky.social•165 days ago

Are not many houses build with wood in the region? Seems to be very common in the US.

stopburningthings.bsky.social•165 days ago

Most built 100 years ago. L.A. area housing stock is *OLD*

paulette59.bsky.social•165 days ago

Something interesting about Altadena...

stopburningthings.bsky.social•165 days ago

Cutting power in the kind of windstorm that fells giant trees makes sense. Electrical failures have been responsible for plenty of fires in the state already, whether or not it's the current fires.

sasha-rhys.bsky.social•165 days ago

The blame and misinformation about the fire hydrants is out of control

paulette59.bsky.social•165 days ago

True and guess coming from where.... In South EU, they ask home owners to remove dried bushes from around their houses...

alysenlynn.bsky.social•165 days ago

Can you post the go fund me here? I'm having trouble with the link in the article.

jenshops.bsky.social•165 days ago

If you’re still interested: https://gofund.me/fea3333b 🩷

alysenlynn.bsky.social•165 days ago

Thank you! I finally got the spreadsheet to open too.

princegrimes.bsky.social•165 days ago

Good stuff, Phil

percussioner211.bsky.social•164 days ago

Wasn't til this evening that I learned that Altadena was predominantly Black. You wouldn't know it by the news coverage. My heart goes out to ALL who lost their homes, possessions, and lives, but I have to admit that bothered me.

justmindi.bsky.social•165 days ago

I feel for them. I’ve lived it. 🤗🤗

bigtparker.bsky.social•164 days ago

Why are they wasting water on that foundation?

feralog69.bsky.social•165 days ago

alexvanderveur.bsky.social•165 days ago

Wise words. For me, it is not about a fire, but thank you for helping me add another piece to moving on from the horrors that have happened to me. 💙 #survivors

alexvanderveur.bsky.social•165 days ago

Every time someone chooses hope, they may never know how it helps and inspires others. #Hope is a beacon of light. A flame that cannot be diminished by using it to light other peoples candles, so they too can have and pass on hope.

ctpoodle.bsky.social•165 days ago

This is just so awful. Seeing generations of homes/lives just gone. So grateful for the helpers.

craycraig.bsky.social•165 days ago

Heartbreaking. Just heartbreaking

alexis8.bsky.social•165 days ago

We can learn a lot from him . 🙏❤️‍🩹

endtyranny.bsky.social•165 days ago

😥

seeseedeforest.bsky.social•165 days ago

The 20 family members within walking distance of one another who lost all 8 homes. 💔

l1ndam1h.bsky.social•165 days ago

Wow! Inspiring!

anonymustruth.bsky.social•165 days ago

https://abc7.com/amp/post/air7-maps-altadena-damage-eaton-fire-using-skymap-techology/15791066/

doclt.bsky.social•164 days ago

This is horrifying. And, of the horrifying things the US black community has survived, this is comparatively minor. They know they can do it because they’ve done it before. All we need to do is give them support structure (eg loans), and Altadena will probably blossom back sooner than anywhere else.

drcaberry.bsky.social•164 days ago

https://bsky.app/profile/drcaberry.bsky.social/post/3lfl5aixnmc2z
#EatonFire #Altadena #BlackSky #CaliforniaFires #GoFundMe

susannamac.bsky.social•165 days ago

So sorry. 😢

carowenm.bsky.social•165 days ago

😢

carowenm.bsky.social•165 days ago

😢

manik.bsky.social•165 days ago

Incredible strength

madmax718.bsky.social•165 days ago

Prayers up to the families out there💔🙏🏾

msafri.bsky.social•165 days ago

I looked for Walt Butler on the growing list of Altadena Black families with Go Fund Me's, perhaps you could check if he is not included in someone else's and share that. no thinking adult could help but think of their own elder parents in this situation.

mmdoza.bsky.social•164 days ago

It will be rebuilt better, stronger in the spirit of people in the community!

elderreed.bsky.social•165 days ago

The house there were generational wealth to make of the POC

deanna-granny83.bsky.social•165 days ago

💔🙏

klashkha0tic.bsky.social•165 days ago

Many died in this fire because they were disabled and no one helped them escape.

firefly55.bsky.social•165 days ago

Heartbreaking 💔

jeffreyclail.com•165 days ago

What a badass quote

lmaepa.bsky.social•165 days ago

📌

smoothbeing47.bsky.social•165 days ago

😢😢🥰

ericacoffey.bsky.social•165 days ago

I wish I could hug this man (and replace everyone’s homes!) What a powerful perspective to have after losing everything.

emily404.bsky.social•165 days ago

♥️♥️♥️

lauraast.bsky.social•165 days ago

💔😢

jugiddings.bsky.social•165 days ago

Help is on the way. Make sure they apply for it before the liar in chief takes over.

ladygee.bsky.social•165 days ago

They have the land, luckily LA has a democratic mayor and CA has Newsom. They'll be taken care of

ardubbs.bsky.social•165 days ago

Altadena is not managed by the City of LA, they don't have a Mayor.

ladygee.bsky.social•165 days ago

Yes, I realize but I feel the same nonetheless.

ardubbs.bsky.social•165 days ago

I hear you - the problem is that FEMA is one of the most racist and classist government agencies in the nation - I am very concerned that our people in Altadena are not going to get the same level of assistance or as fast as Palisades, Brentwood, and the Hollywood Hill :(

patrickmaroney.bsky.social•165 days ago

Really? Why do you say that? It is a beaucracy, often underfunded and staffed, subject to the constant stations of changing political views and leadership. There isn’t a process in the planet that can’t be made more efficient and effective.

What would you fix exactly?

ardubbs.bsky.social•164 days ago

It's not an opinion, it's documented facts
Exhibit A: https://studentreview.hks.harvard.edu/racial-disparity-in-disaster-response-in-the-united-states-a-case-study-of-aid-under-fema/

ladygee.bsky.social•165 days ago

Oh nooo that's awful. We'll hold them to account. 😢

sickoffascists.bsky.social•165 days ago

I'm with him. Lost everything in Hurricane Harvey flooding and went through hell for months. Will never be able to replace things like pictures with my parents and grandparents, my kids' baby pictures, and so much more, but I'm alive and happy now! PTSD be damned!

yvettejr718.bsky.social•165 days ago

💔😔☮️

roseplus3girls.bsky.social•165 days ago

God bless all involved. 🙏🙏🙏

chester1995.bsky.social•165 days ago

Wise, life experienced people.

tyral122.bsky.social•165 days ago

Please tell them we care

kacey325.bsky.social•165 days ago

Thank yo for talking to them. I have family friends who have lost everything there, including their church. It's devastating but the community does have hope, and will rebuild.

jay-trotter.bsky.social•165 days ago

Resilience

peanutgalleria.bsky.social•165 days ago

Glad to hear what's going on with black residents whose lives are impacted by this disaster. Keep it coming, Phil Lewis, I appreciate you.

sofijaantonio.bsky.social•165 days ago

That resilience and perspective are truly inspiring. A reminder of the strength found in community and the human spirit, even in the face of profound loss. Stories like inspires how hope can endure, no matter the circumstances.