The History Channel attracted almost 14 million people to "Hatfields & McCoys" on Memorial Day. This realistic retelling of the greatest family feud in history set an all-time record for basic cable.
What is about this story that attracted so many viewers? The historic accuracy of the story? The exceptional writing? Kevin Costner?
Nancy Dubac, president of The History Channel as well as executive producer of Hatfields & McCoys believes the attraction goes even deeper. “One of the things that was overwhelming when I first read the script was that there wasn’t a good guy and a bad guy,” she says. “The nuances are fascinating.”
I agree with Ms. Dubac. The show is not about black and white, good guys or bad guys. At the end of the 6-hour miniseries I was left with the haunting conclusion that they're all bad guys... and maybe there's something in the DNA of Hatfields and McCoys that's in my own DNA as well.
Here are 5 ways to know if I could belong to the Hatfields & McCoys, no matter how I pronounce my last name.
1. Believe that principles are more important than people. Judge Valentine 'Wall' Hatfield makes the observation that he can't believe this whole feud started over a pig. The stolen swine was the reason given, but the trust between the two families had already deteriorated by the time the hog thief was brought to court. Am I more concerned about my rights than I am about my relationships? On a hillside 2,000 years ago Jesus taught us that we should "settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court." (Matthew 5:25)
2. Believe that defense of my family name is a priority. 'Devil' Anse Hatfield explains to his brother why it is so important to seek revenge for the death of a distant relative. "Because he's a Hatfield. If they think they can get away with that against them, they'll do the same to us." Maybe for me it's not the family name. Maybe it's the name of my country. Or the name of my faith. Or the name of my political party. We can do the most horrid things to other people when we think it's a matter of defending the clan to which we belong. What did the Master Teacher say? "If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles." (Matthew 5:41)
3. Believe that your wrong against me justifies my response. You don't even need to invest in 6 hours of television viewing to know that ultimately Hatfields & McCoys is about each family villifying the other. Ultimately neither patriarch could get beyond the latest wrong perpetrated against them by the other. They each thought they were right because of the other's wrong. There's one scene in the second epidode where 'Bad' Frank Phillips leans back against a post and smiles at Randall McCoy when 3 of his dead deputies are returned to him. Phillips knows this war just escalated again. I couldn't help but think that this is how our spiritual enemy, Satan, smiles at us when we think we are right to do wrong. Perhaps Jesus knew the importance of avoiding such self-justification when he said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:43-44)
4. Believe that my lost temper is not the real me. How many times have we said something - or done something - in anger, which we later regret? Jefferson McCoy gets into a fight and then murders a man in anger. He then runs and seeks the shelter of his big sister Nancy. He explains that everything happened so fast. He defends himself saying he was drunk and couldn't even remember what he was fighting about. Often when we lose our temper in anger, we think that this isn't the real me. Perhaps instead we should think that we have just revealed the real me. Anger is like a fire that will easily burn out of control. Maybe that's why Jesus shocks us with: ""But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment." (Matthew 5:22)
5. Believe that I couldn't possibly be as bad as them. The greatest danger I face when I walk away from Hatfields & McCoys is to believe that it's all about them and not about me. In fact, the greatest blindness of all is to feel even better about myself when I see how badly someone else behaves. At least I'm better than them. At least I haven't ... murdered, stolen, committed adultery, fill in your own blank. I'll admit I'm not perfect, but at least I'm better than someone else. The standard, however, is not set by anyone else but by God Himself (Matthew 5:48). Such a perfect standard is impossible to attain. How could I ever live out such a high standard of relationship to others? Perhaps the place to start is where Jesus began his ethical commands. When I'm in church and feeling pretty good about my service and my life, I should stop and reflect. Is there someone who has something against me? Stop focusing on who is right and who is wrong. Instead "leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them. Then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:24)
