On April 6th, 1986 a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine blew up. It is the world's worst nuclear accident to ever occur. Immediately after the explosion roughly 116,000 people were evacuated from the 1,000 square-mile "Exclusion Zone". However, about 1,200 people didn't follow the authority's orders. Many of the group that defied authorities didn't survive, but there are 130 people they call "self-settlers" who are still living in the Exclusion Zone. Most of them are women who are now in their 70's and 80's. They stayed in the zone because they say those who "left are worse off now. They are all dying of sadness. Motherland is Motherland. I will never leave." They would rather stay on the land they were born and raised than leave and be miserable for the rest of their lives. I think it is crazy that they have lived and survived this long on an area that is so full of radiation.
What do you think about them going back to a place with extremely high levels of radiation? Are they crazy for going back?
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Replies
Great job Emma!
If it were me I would have left as soon as I possibly could. I can see why they would want to stay because they don't want to leave all of their memories. But I don't think in any way shape or form it is healthy for them.
I also would have left as soon as possible, but I also understand why they would want to stay on their homeland.
I wouldn't either, but they are from a foreign county. They might have different values there than we do here in the US, so their homes might be everything to them.
These situations are dangerous. I understand that staying there may mean lots to them because they have been there so long, but sometimes I think it's better to listen to the professionals and leave. Sometimes what it costs you to stay safe is worth more than a life.
I understand exactly what you are saying. They aren't the professionals in this situation and they were told to leave due to the conditions. They probably should have left, but they would rather die on their homeland than be miserable living elsewhere.
I think that these people are crazy. If I lived there when this event occurred I would have defiantly left. But I guess if you believe in your land that much than it is your right to have stayed there. I think they are also really lucky to not have gotten Leukemia. I think that it is a little crazy.
I think it is really crazy that they are still alive but it is also really cool that they are alive after this. They might have been a little crazy that they stayed but i can understand there reason for not wanting to leave. It is not surprising that a lot of the people who left where miserable and why they stayed.
I agree, it is so crazy that they have lived to be 70 or 80 in conditions so extreme as this. I also understand why they stayed in their homes.
I would have left right away after that explosion because I know how much radiation can affect a person's health. It is impressive that they have survived for this long, but I still think they are insane for staying there in the exclusion zone.
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