A people who puff up their chests in victory make themselves small.
Friday night’s capture of the second suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings set off dancing in the streets of Boston and chants of “USA! USA!” — as if an international hockey match had just been won. Similar scenarios were repeated in several stadiums around the country.
This, even as families grieved for their lost loved ones, which included an 8-year-old boy, while others agonized over family and friends hospitalized with blast wounds, some with missing limbs.
The relief triggered by the suspect’s capture was undoubtedly huge, but the human tragedy of last Monday’s events cut far deeper. Like Sept. 11, 2001, the bombings brought out the best in this country: the bravery and professionalism of first responders, the rush of bystanders to help the wounded and the expressions of concern and compassion following the explosions.
But the dancing and chanting should give us pause.
As should the 24-hour news cycle, which spun furiously with all-too-predictable results. Early on, Fox News hammered on Islamic terrorism. Meanwhile, an NPR reporter mused on right-wing zealotry and the significance of April as the anniversary month for Hitler’s death and the Oklahoma City bombing. Somehow, she forgot to mention April is also National Poetry Month.
After World War II, this country, magnanimous in victory, rebuilt Europe and Japan to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again.
After Sept. 11, 2001, and the toppling of Saddam Hussein, our government leaders behaved like deranged rulers of empire while the rest of the government and national media played along like lap dogs. Remember “Freedom Fries”?
“Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends,” wrote Dwight Eisenhower who, as commander in chief of Allied Forces during World War II, knew the difference between the realities of violence and the victory cheers of the crowds.
A little before midnight on Friday, not far from the celebration on the Boston Commons, a different scenario played out: A small crowd gathered in silence to acknowledge the tragedy and the capture of the second suspect.
A bagpiper played “Amazing Grace.” Halfway through the song, the crowd began to sing along.
That scene, too, is the USA.