The nation was shocked at another act of violence when a criminal drove his SUV through a crowd of Christmas revelers in Waukesha. This incident resulted not only in six deaths but also more than 60 injuries and was reported by the national media just days before Thanksgiving.
The activist media did not waste much time trying to make the tragedy seem glamorous. The SUV appeared to have magically driven itself into crowds of people, according to some headlines. This was to mask the fact that the suspect was a black male with a long criminal history who was freed on paltry bail because of progressive reform policies.
However, the nation appears to have missed something due to the politicization and biased media coverage of the incident. The most crucial aspect of this story seems to have been overlooked: what happened immediately after the attack.
An email I got from a reader contained the key takeaway of this terrible tale. This is an important reminder of America’s true nature, which is something the country needs to hear.
The reader shared with me a text message from his sister who was at the parade with “her two daughters, their husbands, and 3 grandchildren, seated immediately where the parade participants were struck.”
He told me that her “daughters are both nurses, and helped to get the crushed little girls into police cars.”
In the message, his sister explained that she is “still completely speechless and stunned regarding the events that took place” in her hometown, especially during an event in which she has marched frequently. “Three feet- that is how close the SUV came to hitting my family. My babies. My entire world. I don’t know why he decided to make an abrupt turn of the wheel but by God’s grace we are without physical scars,” she wrote. “Three feet- where those first struck band members fell to our toes and became more than just strangers.”
She was reminded of a quote from Mr. Rogers: “In times of tragedy, look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
Her sister depicted a scene in which a group of people came together immediately to assist those in crisis after a terrible event. She said:
Although the scene had many tiny dancers wearing glittery eyeshadows, bloody strollers and bloody instruments, it was filled also with people praying, crying and hugging unconscious and conscious children. Complete strangers are welcomed into their stores by store owners. Citizens making lists of children’s names hiding in each business so they could help the screaming parents desperately running down the street looking for their babies. Tweenagers hand out towels and ice. People holding children’s necks in position until medical teams could assist.
Children are calmed by people who talk to them. To keep the little ones warm, people throw blankets on children. Strangers are transported to the local hospital by strangers. Medical professionals everywhere working “in the scene” with little to no resources, not because they wanted to be called heros [sic] – just because it is pure instinct. People with no medical training just holding a child’s hand because “that is all they knew how to do”- it was enough. People jumping into police cars with children they didn’t even know to escort them to hospitals because there weren’t enough ambulances. Calls to parents and siblings of musicians who have been injured are common. Water is handed out to everyone who crosses the street. People echoing law [e]nforcement messages when there was an “all clear” on an active shooter. People simply huddled in store fronts praying…
The sister continued, noting that “helpers” were “literally everywhere” and that while the “scene” was one that she would never have wanted to be a part of, it was “a scene that was miraculous in so many ways.”
Elle added:
To me these aren’t just kids in a parade anymore- they have names: Julia, Connor, Kenzie, Olivia, Avery…the list goes on. They all, along with the rest of my prayers and thoughts. Their little scared faces will always be with me.
She concluded her message by pointing out that “in times of tragedy there will always be helpers[,] and that is how you know things may not ever be the same but things will be ok.”
The message she conveys is just as important as it is lovely. In the toxic political climate and division that plagues society, this story shows us what is often forgotten.
It is notable that there are no Republicans and Democrats in this story. There weren’t any progressives nor conservatives. There was no race of blacks, Latinos, Asians, Latinos or Latinos. All that existed were people. The helpers and individuals in greatest need.
Or, to put it another manner: These people were united in their moments. Only what was most important was to help others who were suffering.
This is America.
These stories are what America requires right now.
It is crucial to learn how the attack occurred. Yes. It’s important to learn from the past and avoid making similar mistakes.
Not only is it important, but so too is focusing on American’s efforts to support one another. If you truly want to see a society united, then these stories could be what you need.
We are too focused on winning the argument and winning against our opponent far too often. Since the beginning of history, this has been a feature in all political societies.
But this does not mean we can’t get back to a place where we can have intense disagreements without seeing one another as enemies presenting an existential threat. Perhaps if we had as many stories about Americans coming together as we do Americans being at each other’s throats, we could strike a balance between the two.
You might think it is wishful thinking. What if that were to happen?
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