(This is the tabled post I referenced earlier this week.)
In the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing, a friend of mine, hit closer to home by the event than I, expressed his wish that he could say something intelligent, empathic, or eloquent in response, but all he had was rage and despair for humanity.
So this is being done on his behalf, with deep appreciation for the inspiration from all those I’ve heard say something similar to what I’m about to say, but didn’t quite say it the way I felt needed to be said:
In times like these, it helps to consider the numbers involved. While exact details remain sketchy at this time, it is safe to say that only one or two, or at most a few, are responsible for the many victims. I think it’s also safe to say that the perpetrators want us to feel rage and despair, which is reason enough alone to not give them what they want. Even more important than that, the victims need sympathy and support, and that should be the priority.
And it is.
The actions of the few, having hurt the many, has to led to millions outpouring their sympathy and support, as is the norm in cases like these days.
Let me say that again: “As is the norm.”
It’s the norm.
Just think about that. It’s the norm, and it’s a norm that’s been demonstrated time and time again with the arrival of the Information Age!
For one moment, let us ignore the attempt at disruptive noises made by the few when most are quiet. Let us ignore the attempts to shock just so a few can vainly attempt to fill the silence, within and without, that they can not abide. When people are brought together by tragedy, any tragedy, for one moment it becomes clear that those who perpetrate horrible acts are the aberrations of humanity, not the norm.
The equation is simple: A few may hurt many, yes. But in return, uncounted millions respond with sympathy, support, and grace once they are made aware of what has happened. People don’t always instantly realize what the right thing to do is. Once they do, though, millions upon millions do it, momentarily drowning out the noise of the aberrations.
That’s not blind hope in humanity or Pollyanna faith in the power of love. Those are the numbers. Those are the facts, demonstrated time and time again.