Two bombs exploded in the crowded streets near the finish line of the Boston Marathon on Monday, killed at least three people and injured more than 140. Not only did the event shock the nation, but it caused St. Thomas students to reflect and think about the future.
A White House official speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was still unfolding said the attack was being treated as an act of terrorism.
Justice and peace studies major junior Yan Yan Teague said the fact that seemingly innocent spectators and marathon runners became victims frustrated her most.
“Over 96 countries were represented in the Boston Marathon,” Teague said. “These are all random people. They aren’t politicians who make the decisions. They are middle school teachers, lawyers, students, dentists … they don’t have anything to do with the decisions in Washington.”
Sophomore Danny Glass said he was “speechless” after hearing about what had happened.
“I can’t imagine being in the shoes of those who have been affected. However, after watching videos on CNN, I am incredibly thankful for those who ran toward the damage to help those in need,” Glass said. “(The Boston Police Department), volunteers, and citizens that helped at the scene were incredible.”
Senior Nick Yannarelly said he was “stunned” upon hearing of the explosions.
“My first reaction was like many, I’m sure,” Yannarelly said. “Are events like this going to continue to happen?”
Katie Suchyta, a sophomore at Wellesley College in Greater Boston, was a spectator at the marathon before the blasts shook Boylston Street. Suchyta said her university is the halfway mark for the New England celebration, and its students traditionally create signs and cheer for passing marathoners. After two hours of cheering, Suchyta went to her residence for lunch and a nap, only to wake up to confusion.
“I checked my phone and found seven missed calls, two voicemails and multiple text messages and Facebook notifications. I called my mom and sister to assure them of my safety and then asked (my housemates) what was happening,” Suchyta said. “All they knew was that ‘explosions’ had gone off at the end of the race, and that Wellesley wanted everyone to go inside.”
Freshman Will Lake said he was tailgating and celebrating with other Boston College students in Boston when the explosions occurred. Although he was not near them, he was on the Boston College campus where the marathon runners pass by.
“When the bombings happened, I had just walked from a friends to my sister’s mod (senior on-campus housing area),” Lake said. “When I arrived, there were 15 to 20 students staring at the TV. I asked what was going on and they told me that there was an explosion near the finish line.”
Lake said after he watched the replay of the first bomb, news came in of another bomb going off a few blocks away from the first.
“Immediately, my sister and I were getting texts and calls from family and friends. We knew this was a serious event,” Lake said. “It was difficult to get ahold of anyone that was near the finish line for they had shut down cellular service for most of downtown … (officials were) afraid someone may set off another bomb with their use of a cellular device. The city was locked down, the freeway was closed, flights were canceled and police were searching everything, including the mods around us.”
Sophomore Matt Anderson said the attack changed his perspective about daily life in other countries. Although he has sympathy for those impacted by the blast, Anderson said he is using this as an opportunity to examine the privileges of living in America.
“While the events that unfolded in Boston today are tragic … we must use this as a reminder of just how fortunate we are as a country,” Anderson said. “We could be one of the myriad of nations in which events like this are commonplace, whether taking the form of a suicide bomber in a crowded marketplace or a drone strike ordered by a foreign government.”
Anderson also said the events might be a call to reexamine the United States’ safety measures with a “level-headed” approach and avoid blaming certain demographics, including Muslims and atheists.
“We must renew our commitment to our principles as a nation,” Anderson said. “After all, how can we possibly call for liberty and justice around the world when we cannot even uphold it here at home?”
However, some students are finding a silver lining in the afternoon’s tragic incidences. Teague also said she sees immense support for all affected by the attack, calling it a “unifying” experience.
“I think it is also a good time to remember that regardless of our political parties, we all support one another when we need to,” Teague said. “Stories have surfaced that runners have ran to the medical hospital to donate blood to the victims.”
As for looking ahead to brighter times in Boston, Suchyta said she’ll be avoiding the news and looking for way to focus on homework.
“I don’t really know what to think. My head hurts, and I don’t know if I want to sleep or cry. I really just want to fly home and hug my mom and tell her that I’m OK and that nothing will ever happen to either of us. But I can’t fly home, and I can’t make such promises,” Suchyta said. “So, all I can do is sleep, and cry and pray.”
Anastasia Straley can be reached at stra0669@stthomas.edu.
I would just like to say that as much of a tragedy this event is, it is something that sadly, happens everyday in other countries, often because of the U.S. government. So no, I do not agree with the sentiment that we are “lucky” to live in in a country where violence has subconsciously and consciously become a part of our culture. I do not see how we can support drone warfare; yet cry in outrage when bombs are exploded on us. We did not earn or choose where we were born, we simply just were. So, why should we only care about our own country’s people when we could be a one of the thousands of victims in Yemen or Afghanistan or Pakistan etc.? Blood on the sidewalks, missing limbs and death is not rarity for them. Still, I do not consider myself “lucky” when I pay taxes to a government that uses them to cause others suffering and pretends to call it self-defense. “Occupying” another country is not self defense, it is illegal and often caused by selfish motives, such as oil.
Overall, my main point is that whether this was a domestic or foreign attack, I believe it is an opportunity to reflect on our own culture of violence. A culture where violence is increasing everyday. Although, to me, this event is not surprising when a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Barack Obama, is also the same person who allows bombs to detonate when only its intended targets are less than 2% of the victims in many instances. We look to our president as a role model,…
…..but perhaps we need to start looking somewhere else.
Violence only inspires more violence, as we saw in the terrorist attacks of 9/11, which was no random act, but a response to our own violence (blow-back). Fueling the cycle of violence, we responded to the attacks with more violence and a war lasting over a decade. Look where that war has gotten us, there will be no winning in that war. Perhaps, we can finally learn from our mistakes and all learn the power that nonviolent action holds. If we do not move towards nonviolent means, then the Boston Marathon is just going to be another event added to the list of tragedies such as, Columbine, Sandy Hook and Virginia Tech.