This Monday, the Boston Marathon was attacked with two improvised explosive devices, which detonated near the finish line of the race in rapid succession. Three people were killed and more than 100 others were wounded, but as the smoke from the blasts drifted away, some were not seen running away, but toward the chaos that had erupted.
These brave first responders were instrumental in minimizing the damage of the attack and provided invaluable support for the individuals affected. Housed in a metropolitan area ourselves, students may consider that Georgetown has offered Community Emergency Response Training courses since 2010. These courses, offered every spring semester, offer basic disaster response training to ordinary citizens. While the Boston attacks have shown us that disaster can strike anywhere and at any time, it has — perhaps more importantly — shown us how we can band together in the face of tragedy.
Light displays portrayed solidarity in New York City, while the Chicago Tribune sports section declared, “We are Chicago Red Sox. We are Chicago Celtics. We are Chicago Bruins. We are Chicago Patriots.” At Georgetown, a vigil in Dahlgren Chapel was held Monday night for the victims of the attacks and the city of Boston. The next day, countless students hailing from New York to Austin to Los Angeles were seen wearing Boston Red Sox and other Boston T-shirts around campus. And on Wednesday, campus groups began to fundraise for the victims and handed out racing bibs featuring the city’s area code in Red Square. Social media have displayed similar sentiments of remorse, community and hope.
While both the United States and Georgetown are diverse communities, there is no doubt that when times are dire, we find solace in one another, regardless of political and religious dispositions — just as President Obama said in his address. “If you want to know who we are, what America is, how we respond to evil, that’s it. Selflessly, compassionately, unafraid.”