Boston's Tragedy and Terrorism

Flowers, flags and balloons at a memorial in
Boston near the site of Monday's explosions. npr.com

      Since I have held this post as GSAS Grad.Life blogger, our country has seen some sad and tragic events that have shaken us emotionally, physically, and psychologically: the Aurora movie theater massacre in July, Hurricane Sandy in late October, and the Newtown shooting in December. I've tried to use this space as a way to reflect on these events, and to provide readers with some kind of sense of the conversation about these events among graduate students.
    On Monday, we again faced another tragic event, the bombing at the Boston Marathon. My heart is with all the victims; please know that your sisters and brothers at Fordham are thinking of and praying for you.
    As events are unfolding today in the hunt for the suspects, I also hope and pray for no more additional violence and terror in the great city of Boston, or anywhere.
     I also hope we are able at some point to understand the reasons behind the terrifying attack. After 9/11, it was difficult to hear and swallow the reasons given for the attack. But it is much harder psychologically and emotionally, in my opinion at least, to have no understanding of the motivation behind such a gruesome act of violence and terror.

    President Obama's speech yesterday moved me as I listened on the radio. Here is a transcript of the ending:

Our faith in each other, our love for each other, our love for country, our common creed that cuts across whatever superficial differences there may be, that is our power. That's our strength. That's why a bomb can't beat us. That's why we don't hunker down. That's why we don't cower in fear. We carry on. We race. We strive. We build and we work and we love and we raise our kids to do the same. And we come together to celebrate life and to walk our cities and to cheer for our teams when the Sox, then Celtics, then Patriots or Bruins are champions again, to the chagrin of New York and Chicago fans. The crowds will gather and watch a parade go down Boylston Street. And this time next year on the third Monday in April, the world will return to this great American city to run harder than ever and to cheer even louder for the 118th Boston Marathon.Bet on it.Tomorrow the sun will rise over Boston. Tomorrow the sun will rise over the - this country that we love, this special place, this state of grace. Scripture tells us to run with endurance the race that is set before us. As we do, may God hold close those who've been taken from us too soon, may he comfort their families and may he continue to watch over these United States of America. 

President Obama's speech sang with spirit, and moved many to tears, including me.
    Today those of us who are in sister cities will watch with hope that no more harm comes to any human. And for those in Boston, our hearts are with you.
--Liza and the Grad.Life Blog