As a nation and as a part of New England, we’ve experienced the rollercoaster of emotions involved with tragedy—from shock, to disbelief, anger, confusion and back again. As of press time, three lives were lost Monday in the bombings at the Boston Marathon, and 176 people were wounded. These numbers continue to grow. What was once one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious athletic events, a day of glory, of encouragement, and of accomplishment, has now turned into a tragic moment not to be forgotten.
Just as the wounds suffered by the injured spectators and athletes begin to mend, so must our optimism and our faith in humanity.
Flowers sit at a police barrier near the finish line of the Boston Marathon in Boston Tuesday, April 16, 2013. Explosions at the finish of the Marathon Monday killed at least three people and injured over 170.
Instantly, the outpouring of love and support from individuals all over the country proves that no matter how much separates us, we’re all still connected in the same ways. The attack wasn’t just an attack on the city of Boston, on the participants in the race or the spectators. People from all over the world descended on Boston to compete and show support to some incredible athletes. It wasn’t an attack on one person, it was an attack on all of us, not just Americans, but human beings across the globe.
The word “terrorism” evokes powerful, stirring emotions in Americans. However, we must be careful not to point fingers and blame others too quickly. It is easy to spew hatred for the person or people who we think perpetrated this act, and it is all too easy to let our rage consume us. The same questions always come to mind: who would do this? Why did they want to hurt so many people? The question we can answer is who is there to help us heal.
That answer is everyone.
From the encouraging words from friends and family, even perfect strangers, to the indelible courage and heroism from first responders and the ordinary bystander, there is still hope. The Equinox wishes to recognize the various forms of heroism on Monday. From the exhausted runners who crossed the finish line and ran straight to Mass General Hospital to give blood, to the Boston Police officers rushing to the scene of the explosions while everyone else was running away, and to the people all around who ran to help the victims, you are our faith in humanity.
It would be easy to remember the hate on this day, but we must work together to not forget the love. If anything this attack shows us, it is the overwhelming fortitude and endurance of the human spirit that will always be stronger than the hatred and evil of a few.
