It’s been nearly two months since the wildfires in northern Alberta decimated Fort McMurray and sent its population fleeing across our province. Though Fort Mac residents have a long way to recovery – and surely the trauma will last much longer than the rebuild – the one positive emerging out of the disaster was the generosity and kindness many Albertans showed to the displaced.
Such responses are difficult and require great resolve, as after a tragedy it’s easy to sink into despair. We saw similar humanity emerge following the tragic shooting at an Orlando gay nightclub that killed 49. Countries from New Zealand to Azerbaijan held vigils and rallies in solidarity for the victims, and following a call for blood donations, a line stretched down the block near many blood banks in Orlando. Reportedly, some willing donors waited more than eight hours.
These are the types of human responses that run counter to the fear and terror that attackers want to inflict. Unfortunately, we won’t ever become invulnerable from attacks and disasters. There are certainly precautions we can take and legislation we can pass that can begin to protect us, but natural disasters will happen in the future and those who wish to inflict terror will keep trying. There isn’t a foolproof way to prevent those things.
What we can control is our reaction to these things. What Albertans did following the wildfires and how the residents of Orlando responded after the shootings will begin to heal wounds and rebuild communities. Falling into despair and blaming religions and minority groups will not. It’s a choice to move forward in solidarity and to pick up the pieces and rebuild, but those choices are exactly the ones that can get us through whatever future attack or disaster might come our way.
