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Politics and Activism

Hear the Silence, And Speak

"When you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, 'The good outnumber you, and we always will." ~ Shannon Stapelton

Meghan Rose Murphy

Jan 23, 2017

University of New Hampshire

One Fund Boston

Suddenly I could hear the silence.

Yet, the only thing in my head is noise. Scenes of screaming, crying, gunshots, and explosions are all pressed in my memory.

I may not be from Boston nor did I grow up in the state of Massachusetts. But, I am from New England. Yet, ignore that too. I'm human. That's all that matters.

At 2:49pm on April 15th, 2013, the world was changed once again, in the most heartbreaking and angering of ways.

How any one person could pursue the deaths of others, without hesitation, boggles my mind and shakes my inner being to the core. On April 15th, not one person, but two brothers Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, murdered 4 people and injured hundred motivated by religion and without remorse (The New York Times). The worst part is, I'll never be able to make sense of it. I wasn't present on the day of the bombings but, I've heard the stories, seen the news, and know people closer to it. I can't help but be hurt and feel the need to weep because of it.

I never really reflected on the day until now, after coming out of watching the newly released film Patriot’s Day. I understand people talk, and a movie like this can be a sensitive project. But, it left me motionless and the whole theater silent, except for syncopated sniffles and the wiping of tears row after row. I can't spoil anything for you, because if you're reading this then you know the ending, the people involved, and the things that happened. But, I can tell you that you haven't seen everything.

This story that's being told is unforgettable and is a truly heartfelt dedication to every victim and their families. I'll never understand why these terrible things happen, and especially to strong and innocent people. The truth is though, these situations make the survivors even stronger and more loving.

Those that walk away from tragedy are bestowed the fragile gift of storytelling, healing, and the heaviest burden of all; living life each day, even after tragedy. Yet, I would never say these terrible things are good things. Never in hell are these times meant to be positive lights. But, they happen. We can't control them, but we can learn from them and fight for those who can't.

We must be anything but silent.

---

In loving memory of the fallen and the injured.

Officer Sean Collier

Krystle Campbell

Martin Richard

Lu Lingzi

---

"Boston Marathon Bombings." HISTORY, A&E Networks, 2017.

CBS News. "Boston Marathon Bomber Victims." CBS News.

IMDb. "Patriots Day (2016)." IMDb, Amazon.

Seelye, Katherine Q. "Dzhokhar Tsarnaev Weeps As Relatives Try to Spare Him." The

New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia, The New York Times, 4 May 2015.

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Hear the Silence, And Speak

"When you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, 'The good outnumber you, and we always will." ~ Shannon Stapelton

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Moms are super heroes dressed in yesterday's clothing and they deserve an award for that.

1. For all of the endless hugs and kisses you always seem to smother me in.

2. For teaching me how to cuddle and being the best cuddle buddy still to this day.

3. For teaching me some of the best "mom dance moves"

4. For pushing through all of the sleepless nights and still being super mom.

5. For not killing me every time you found me cutting my own bangs.

6. For showing me all the classics and helping me develop a good taste in movies.

7. And for watching the ridiculous reality TV shows with me because no one else will.

8. For helping me with all of that awful homework that even you couldn't understand.

9 For giving us a taste of our own medicine when we needed it.

10. For setting my curfew at a reasonable hour to ensure I didn't get into any mischief. (I was still able to accomplish a little mayhem though)

11. For spoiling me as a little girl but making me do chores as I got older. I now understand the point of having a clean house.

12. For being the best host to all of the weird friends I would bring over.

13. And for standing up for me when those weird friends stabbed me in the back.

14. For listening when I needed to vent and always giving the best advice possible.

15. For being the absolute best cook. No arguments there.

16. For answering every single phone call and the millions of questions that I always have.

17. For letting me form my own identity and encouraging me along the way.

18. For going on shopping dates with me and always telling me your honest opinion.

19. For rolling the windows down and singing along to the music with me.

20. And for being the best mom possible. I love you!

"Your ass is grass, and I'm going to mow it."

What is "talking?" How does one "talk?"

The struggle is real.

Yes, I'm fine. No, I'm not mad about anything.

1. People always asking if I'm ok

2. "Are you mad?"

3. Having to approach potential new friends first because they might be intimidated by you.

4. Getting complaints at work that you "look mean".

5. Having to literally force yourself to smile around new people.

6. "I always thought you were mean before I met you!"

7. I could be having the best day of my life and my face would still look like this:

8. When people start badgering you with questions if you're ok, you actually do start to become a little irritated and annoyed.

9. It makes your blood boil when someone tells you to smile more.

10. Constantly having to reassure people that you're happy.

11. The exhaustion that comes after having to fake a smile.

12. People always think you're judging them.

13. Trying to make your face look like a ray of sunshine, but giving up because it's too hard.

14. Feeling like you're over smiling when you're just smiling like a regular person.

15. When you really are in a bad mood and people just think it's another day for you.

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