As a Tennessee native, last night's news of Gatlinburg being evacuated because of a wildfire was truly shocking. Jumping onto social media to try and find out more and learn about the safety of family and friends in the area, I was taken away by the images of the small town in the Great Smokeys burning. Growing up in Tennessee, Gatlinburg and the surrounding areas was our own "little paradise in the mountains". To some it seems like just other tourist area, but to many Tennesseans and others from around the country, it's not. Gatlinburg was a place where people would go to "escape" the rush of life, to unwind and "find themselves again". But this isn't just a small tourist town, thousands of people call this small town in the Smokey mountains home. And with the event of last night's fire, most don't have a home to go back too. Now in the true manner that Tennesseans were raised, many were on social media setting up GoFundMe accounts, sharing information on how to help the relief efforts, and just showing their love and support for the town so many hold close to their hearts.

But one thing that really stuck out was the hatred that some were showing on social media in this time of tragedy. Some even saying that the town deserved to burn, even writing “let them burn” and “too bad it’s not the whole state burning.”. And for what reason, you may ask? Politics. Now, there is no mistaking that Tennessee is a very conservative state and primarily a Christian state, but saying that people deserve to go through this even after reports of three people killed by the wildfire that officials say was most likely arson is, in this authors opinion, heartless. Now, don't get me wrong, I am very liberal compared to some parts of my family, but saying that thousands of people deserve to have had this down to them is uncalled for, no matter what your "political" stand point is. I think it is safe to say that I speak for many Tennesseans and the residents of Gatlinburg when I say, please stop with the hatred online and let our residents mourn the lost of this amazing little paradise in the mountains.

We will rebuild, we will be stronger as a state helping our neighbors in Gatlinburg pick up the pieces of what is left. We will stand together as the united caring state we are, we will stand up to our name as the Volunteer state and lend a helping hand to one other.

Relief efforts are already underway. If you can, please donate to either the American Red Cross by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999 or online with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee relief fund.