When I first heard about the bombing in Manchester, I did not know what to think. It was my high school graduation. Then I began getting a flood texts and notifications. Actually, I still I do not know what to say or how to offer condolences to this act of violence. I cannot even say it was a bombing.
It was a lot more than just a bombing. It affected people in profound ways. Perhaps I can never put what happened in words. The 22 people who lost their lives, the number of wounded, all of them cannot be classified by one word or one sentence. I cannot define what happened. One of the things I learned from this; however, was the heroism shown amidst this terror.
Mr. Jones, a homeless man who was residing by Manchester Arena. He said he and his friend first ran away when the bomb exploded. After seeing little children with blood on their faces, they realized they had to go back. He says, "Just because I am homeless doesn't mean I haven't got a heart, or I'm not human still." He says, "People look at homeless people and tar us all with the same brush." This man, whom society marginalized, showed immense selflessness and care. He cradled a dying woman in his arms. He helped pull nails and glass out of children. He showed light in the midst of destruction and devastation.
Paul Reid helped Saffie Roussos, the youngest victim only eight, directly after the blast. He asked her what her name was and tried to talk to her. He said, "She was a dying little girl and she just wanted her mum." He wrapped her in his coat and made a makeshift stretcher for her. When he found out she passed away, he was devastated. Paul Reid was a Forklift truck driver but for those moments he became the source of comfort for Saffie Roussos.
As a millennial, I have grown up hearing and seeing these acts of terrorism. It has been something a part of this world we grew up in. But one thing I have also learned is the bravery of the human heart. While there is immense pain, there is also incredible courage. I still marvel at these heroes.
The doctors, the teenagers, the families, Ariana Grande, the community, Mr. Jones, and Paul Reid. Although we live in a world plagued by terrorism, the courage shows unwavering goodness. The world comes together in peace and reverence to pay their respects to such a terrible incident that should never have happened. Heroism starts with us. It starts with every individual. Yes, it took a single person to cause this suffering. But these heroes, changed the victim's world's for the better. Instead of running away because it was not directly related to them, they chose to help others. They rejected selfishness and chose selflessness.
I grew up thinking that Superman was a hero because he was "superhuman". But in reality, super strength and alien powers should not make someone a hero. This awful event redefined what heroism is. Heroism is in fact the core of humanity, love. Heroism means choosing to find humanity in such a dehumanizing act.
