If you were to ask anyone what first comes to mind when you say Los Angeles (LA) California, it most likely would be Hollywood. A place for parting, a place for the rich, a place for famous individuals. However, another common and current thought could be about the LA fires that are dangerously consuming the west coast. Houses are being engulfed in flames and thousands of people have been issued evacuation orders. So many families have been uprooted from their lives without any real knowledge if they will be able to go back to how life was previously. With this said, what about the wealthy families who can easily rebuild? Is it fair to hope that they are the ones to lose their possessions to the fire first? 

Personally, I don’t think so. While social class and net worth tend to be a hot topic of conversation and easily change perspectives and how people live their lives, I think it’s important to remember that we all have some similarities. Every human being has people that they care for; people that cannot be replaced even in the most dire of situations. This is similar to family heirlooms passed down for generations or historical paintings in a museum. Sometimes, things are so valuable, even if not monetarily, and cannot simply be replaced even with the highest social status. What about your baby pictures or photos of your grandparents that existed before digital technology? What if they weren’t backed up? Documented years of your life could literally go up in flames no matter how wealthy you are.  

So, while it may be that richer families would be able to restart their lives more efficiently and easily then the general population, this doesn’t mean that they are inherently exempt from mourning losses of certain possessions exactly like everyone else. This also doesn’t mean that they won’t be worried about friends or family who could also be nearer to the fires. So, I don’t think it’s ethical to be wishing for their lives to be the first ones to be disrupted as they are also suffering. And while it may be cliche, maybe take a minute to think about how you would feel in their position.