The Hatfields & the McCoys by Gerri Brousseau

This week, the History Channel showed a mini-series about The Hatfields & The McCoys, starring Kevin Costner as “Devil” Anse Hatfield.  Normally I don’t talk about movies or TV programs, but I felt compelled to comment.  The story dramatizes a spat between the two families that escalated into the historical blood feud; the McCoy’s who lived on the border of Kentucky and the Hatfields, who lived across the river in West Virginia.  The movie attempted to depict the hate filled feud between these families; a hate that was passed down to the next generation.  The senseless killing was difficult to wrap my mind around.

But after investing three nights watching this film, I started to think about how similar this blood feud is to the gangs that war upon each other in many of the cities in the US; young men shooting each other simply because they were part of a different family, or in this day and age, gang.  Drive by shootings, shoot-outs in the middle of malls, executions of young men because they choose to wear the designated color of a rival gang.  Senseless.

I couldn’t help but wonder if during the Hatfield & McCoy feud any of the family members thought the feud was senseless.  I wonder if any of the gang members of today realize how senseless the fighting and killing is.

Did I enjoy the series?  It was just ok, but it did make me wonder, and I suppose in that regard it had some merit.  Did any of you happen to watch it?  I wonder what your thoughts are.

Filed under: romance