I want your stories, Boston. Not his. I used to work in the news business, so I know how this works. The endless coverage. Who is he? Why did he do it? Let’s talk to his family. Bit by bit, his life, his thoughts, his possible motives will be dissected. It’s already happening. News pages are covered with story after story.
And this is just the beginning. The thought of the attention his eventual trial will get hurts my heart.
But I don’t want to hear his name. I don’t want his story, his cause, his brand of crazy to get air time. I don’t want his voice to be heard.
Talk to me, Boston, about the good.
I want to hear about the dozens of people who ran to help on Patriot Day. I want to know more about the first responders, the law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to protect the city they love. Remind them that it isn’t just the people of Boston who are grateful.
They deserve to hear it again and again.
Show me again, the video of Yankee fans (and so many others) singing Sweet Caroline in solidarity with their Boston brethren.
Tell me more about Martin Richard. About his mom, Denise. His 6 year old sister, Jane.
About Krystle Campbell.
About Lingzi Lu.
Share how Sean Collier was ‘born to be a police officer‘.
These are the names we need to say over and over again until we are certain we won’t forget them.
Tell me about the people who have already come home from the hospital. And the ones still there fighting. It is THEIR stories that deserve to be heard.
Their paths. Their new normal. Their fight. Focus on the triumph if there is any.
Tell us how we can help.
And don’t let us forget.
But keep the focus where it should be – firmly on the stories of Boston.
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