I was born in Boston, raised in Newton, and although I have displaced myself geographically, my heart will always beat Bostonian and right now I feel more love than I have ever felt for that city. Patriots Day is a holiday and tradition celebrated exclusively in the region and consists of a morning game at Fenway and a night game at The Garden while the Marathon pours people into the heart of the city. It is a day of pride for Boston’s unique and important history in our nation’s independence and a day to enjoy family, friends and springtime in the city.
And now it is a day of tragedy.
We hear about bombs exploding every single day. All over the world, people kill people with explosives. The technology is basic and the construction details are easily accessible. If someone wants to build a bomb it is almost impossible to stop them and with it they are capable of mass murder and mass hysteria. It is a perfect terror tool.
I recently watched a Vice Documentary that demonstrated the use of computer software and 3D printers to build a gun. So while unarmed citizens fight hard for even the slightest bit of gun control against our own elected (but NRA bought) politicians, DIY technology is making true firearm restriction impossible. As weapon knowledge and construction instruction has become democratically available as a simple hobby craft, it has become too easy to be evil and invoke a tragedy.
When applied with the element of surprise and randomness, violence can have an impact far outside its blast radius and using the media amplifies the effect and damages the collective psyche. We wonder who and why but also when and where will it happen next?
This attack is now a part of Boston history and the scars are permanent, but sometimes realizing our worst fears brings out the best in us. It is a reminder of the city that raised me and everything I love about it; the passion and character that define its traditions and inhabitants. Those who lost life and limb were Boston’s Best, simple citizens celebrating other citizens in their personal conquests. I know we will heal from this and I can only hope that we gain a deeper appreciation of all we love and cherish. We live in a world of chaos sometimes dominated by violent expressions of Hate and our only defense against it is Love…
Stay Strong Boston. Keep the Love Alive.