Now they're arguing about access to the graveyard where their relatives are buried. The McCoy claim the road leading into it is a public access one, while the Hatfields claim the road is private & have posted "no trespassing" signs. Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
posted on January 22, 2003 01:03:09 PM new
They prevent such feuds simply by not perpetuating them. Someone on one or both sides decides *not* to retaliate, or finds a better way of solving the dispute than physical retribution. Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but unlike charity, it should end there --Clare Booth Luce
posted on January 22, 2003 07:11:25 PM new
My family was involved in a feud for several generations in the late 19th century with another ranching family across the border.They stole our cattle and drove them across the border, we snuck over at night and stole them back, along with a few prime horses for good measure...this went on a long time with several shootings and deaths on both sides.The animosity ended when my great grandfather fell in love with and married my great grandmother who was from the other family...now it's all in the family, and we still don't get along very well..although nobody has been shot for a while!!
posted on January 23, 2003 02:02:45 AM new
Prof, nice story.
Integration seems to be the answer.
In time the hatred will stop too; hopefully.
Unfortunately Many Churches/Sects will not 'bless' a wedding unless the 'non-member' converts.
I am told that goes on in the West, East, and Middle East.
I may be wrong but it seems a primitive human fear of our 'face'/'Identity' changing.
Some of us demand 'purity'.
But in actuality, would any of us be likely to hate a descendant/offspring eg,a great grandson... I think not, in fact I think we would even love them.
But for some, the hatred goes on, and yes even shootings.
And there is little pity for the ‘enemy’ even when we steal their resources, we believe it justified.
I think that the sooner our nations’ 'face' changes to a common face, by natural attrition, the better.
There’s much to be said for arranged marriages for social gain, Just as many wealthy families and monarchs have done over the years.
Perhaps if someone forces a Hatfield and a McCoy to mary and adopt a new common name, it will be resolved.
posted on January 23, 2003 07:19:17 AM new
profe51 - Great story. Thanks
Our friends moved into their new home here, went to introduce themselves to their next door neighbors and had the door slammed in their face after the man of the house said 'We aren't interested in being friends with our neighbors'.
After talking with others in their neighborhood the story goes there was a feud between the 'door slamming' neighbor and the people who lived in the home our friends bought. All of a 3' wide [one acre long] piece of land that divides their 2 acre parcels. Some of the story was funny, in what people will do in different situations, but some was sad as it finally ended up with a shooting, an arrest and a court trial. Turns out, that's why they were selling their house and moving.
