Most of the explosions took place in the city of Austin, just 100 miles from my home, with another taking place in Schertz, TX. Given that this area is home to my family and friends and I still receive news coverage in this general area, it did not take long for me to learn about this. I was deeply saddened to hear about the lives that were being lost.
When I heard about the death of Draylen Mason, my heart just shattered given that he shared a passion for music and played the bass just as I had played the violin in high school. He was a bright young mind with so much potential. This young man was getting ready to begin a new life in college just as I had this fall and his death just hit way too close to home for me. Of course I am also deeply saddened by the loss of Anthony House who was husband and father to two young children and all others injured and affected.
After learning about the bombings, I just wanted to understand why. Why would someone do this? Given that the first three victims were all POC, there is reason to believe that these were possibly
the targets. Many individuals and community members did their best to warn their friends and families to be skeptical of any received packages, but this could only do so much. Lives were being lost, families, were being destroyed, and the only preventative measures were individual awareness. These bombing got little to no media coverage and no words from our president as events unfolded.
We may no longer live in a time of slavery and mandated segregation but it's clear racism still prevails. To think that it could've easily been my family that was targeted is gut wrenching. I cannot believe I still live in a time when something I cannot change, my heritage, my skin color, and my race matters more than the person that I am. It didn't matter that House had a family to provide for or that Mason could've easily been another intellectual, the perpetrator felt that they had to die.
I could never understand why people still feel this hatred against POC's and this sense of superiority for being a white male. Racism is something that is taught and instilled and all I can hope is that people will no longer pass down this cruel and insensitive mindset to others.
I was not only disappoint to see just another display of racism take place so close to home, but disappointed in the disregard for the events. I can't help but wonder that just maybe if there were stories and national coverage taking place from the start of these chain of events, some of the other victims might not have been victims.
The news and media is such a powerful tool that can be so effective with the right timing. Although Trump did not address these bombings as they took place. He did finally decide to tweet about these bombing saying "AUSTIN BOMBING SUSPECT IS DEAD. Great job by law enforcement and all concerned." Not only is this response about 20 days late from the start of this tragedy, but it can't possibly have the same effect now that the perpetrator is deceased. I'm happy to know that another bomb will not be created by this individual to harm another POC, but if there had been sooner acknowledgement perhaps this could've ended sooner. Regardless, I'm glad that there is now a sense of relief for the community of Austin.
It's terrifying to live in a world were tragedies as such take place over something ridiculous as race and skin color. I can only hope that as we continue to progress as a society, we can one day eradicate the hatred and demise for people of other races.
I agree, it is terrifying that we live in a world that someone's race could be the reason behind their death. I wish that racism could be extinct but that would not solve all the world's problems. As long as there is one difference between people there will be a way that people are classified and being somewhat "better" than others.
ReplyDeleteNorma, you're definitely right that the news coverage only covers what they want to; I didn't even hear about this story or about the sad loss of life. It is crazy to think that for all the progress POC have made, racism still exists. It isn't fair and it isn't right. I grew up in a small, country town where racism did in fact exist. We never had any incidents like this one, which I am extremely thankful for. I think that POC deserve to be treated fairly and I honestly can't wrap my mind around the fact that racism still exists. My condolences for your loss. I hope your home state recovers soon.
ReplyDeleteSorry, D Trump rant ahead: Wow, really? "Great job, the criminal is DEAD?" Where is the closure for the families? Where is the justice for the bombings? Where is the empathy? It truely bothers me that the leader of this country responds to death by promoting it. A tragedy indeed.
ReplyDeleteI was extremely surprised when I first heard about the Austin bombings especially that they were happening for weeks before the news broke. I was confused so I read a few news articles and I thought that I was just behind on the news but really the news is behind. It's very frustrating to see that POC still receive discrimination, you were right when you said racism is an idea that is taught. Which is disappointing because that means people are teaching it.
ReplyDeleteHi Norma! This was a really moving post. I am so glad your family and friends are all okay because this was so close to your home. It is really amazing that there are still hate crimes going on. No one can change what they were born with, so there should be no reason a person is discriminated against for it. It is also extremely alarming that the administration does not care enough about the people to show any care to it until the bomber was dead. In the future, there should really be a more active and involved stance on the tragedies that happen in order to make them stop.
ReplyDeleteThis was extremely sad to read about, but you are definitely right. I completely agree. I think that it is horrible that events like these can happen due to racism. The fact that racism still prevails and angers individuals to this day confuses me. When you said "I cannot believe I still live in a time when something I cannot change, my heritage, my skin color, and my race matters more than the person that I am." it really hit me. I also feel this way. Race is something that you cannot change - same with heritage, skin color and everything else you are innately born with. So why do people continue to judge? The world may never know but events like these make me extremely sad. I hope racist acts can soon come to an end, but who knows what will happen since many people are being taught about it to this day.
ReplyDeleteNorma, I am so glad you brought these incidents to our attention. Since I rarely ever check Twitter, I would have never known about these tragedies in Austen. I also think there should have been more media coverage on this occurrence in the hopes of making people aware and maybe even preventing further harm. Bias in the media has been an issue for so long now, I wonder if there will ever be a time when our news isn't tainted by personal perspectives - we need the facts, not opinions.
ReplyDeleteThis loss of life is tragic and saddening: for the young man on the brink of adulthood, for Anthony House and his family, and for the several other victims and their families. The violence in our world today is truly dismaying, and I hope that one day we will be able overcome it. All it takes is acceptance, respect, and acknowledgment of the truth that we are all indeed created equal. These differences in race, religion, gender, ethnicity, etc. are what make us each unique and equally amazing!
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