The Boston Marathon, April 15, 2013.  There are some immediate feelings that come from news of these types of tragedies.  There is grief for those most seriously affected and concern for all involved.  There is desire to care for the injured and for affirming the safety of our friends and loved ones who may have been in the area.   Statistics dominate the first few hours.  We want information immediately and the news media will certainly oblige. We’ll soon hear more detail than we can bear about when, where, and how the event unfolded even if it is based on part fact and part fiction.  As for the more important question of “why” they will come up empty.

Driving into work today I was listening to morning sports talk radio.  As you would expect they struggled with what to do with the news.  I mean before the attack, the worst anxiety was over how the Knicks might handle the Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.  Today they are grappling with the emotional fear of even attending such an event this weekend in Boston.  At a moment like this we look for leadership to unite the country.

The Boston Marathon Attack Shocked Me for One Surprising Reason.

One of the co-hosts of the show pointed out that the London Marathon is coming up this weekend.  He put a question out there on social media about the feeling of participating in that race.  Participate or don’t participate based on the attack at the Boston Marathon.  So now we have someone dividing the country along the lines of fear?  One group said they would pause and re-evaluate participating.  I’ll call this group fearful.  The other said no change in plans.  I’ll call this group courageous. The co-host went on to say he was in the first group. With an enthusiastic voice he went on to explain his cowardness.

Freedom is not free as we were painfully reminded and those impacted by the attack deserve a public that shows resolve to not be scared off from living their normal daily lives.  While it is an impossibly small consolation it is some acknowledgement their sacrifice is not lost.  Our courage will continue to be tested and we don’t need cowards using social media to validate their personal feelings.  So here’s a personal tip, don’t admit you’re afraid on the air.  And in a moment of national crisis, you need to be more careful with the power you wield. With a raw nerve the great people of Boston will show their courage.  Hey Mr. Morning Drive Sports Talk Radio Co-host next time you use social media in a time like this maybe you can ask something that inspires.  If your show must be about sports on day like today I suggest the question; how do you feel about calling the Celtics “Americas Team?”  I say yes!