After a Very Difficult Week
I’m sure that most of you have heard about the mass shooting that took place at Brown University last Saturday followed by the murder of an MIT professor at his home two days later. Until last night, nobody knew who the shooter was or if he was still in our city or if these acts were connected. It's been a difficult week of grieving for the victims and their families while anxiously wondering if something else could happen.
We’ve appreciated all who have reached out to us expressing concern for our community and for our program participants, especially since the shooting occurred just up the hill from our facility. Most of our staff have close connections to Brown so this is not a faceless or abstract tragedy. And along with the grief, there have been waves of disruption rippling across the state with people sheltering in place, exams canceled, schools closed, news updates flashing, phones buzzing, blocked streets, police lights and sirens. On Monday, I could hear a helicopter for most of the day.
I also feel for the refugees and asylees in our community who carry memories of past violence. Many of our participant trainees have told us how glad they are to live in Providence where they feel safe. I've felt proud about that. An act of violence so close to home can unsettle that sense of safety. I was especially glad that the staff of our youth program were able to create a safe place this week where highschool aged former-refugees could discuss the incident and share some of their feelings, questions, and reactions. These kids often carry the weight of needing to interpret what is happening around them to their families and communities.
And honestly, if I can step on a soap-box for a moment, I feel upset and discouraged that this incident is already being used as yet another tool for discrimination--this time in pausing the US Diversity Visa (or Green Card Lottery) Program. Following the expanded restrictions/bans on travelers from other countries (now 38, all non-white), the message of closed doors and unwelcome is steadily being advanced and normalized. We must find ways to speak up.
I want to say thanks for the many kindnesses and supportive messages we’ve received. This week has been super busy. We've had boxes piled to the ceiling and over a hundred orders going out each day, plus visitors and a field trip. Last Friday, the day before the shooting, we hosted about 75 friends, neighbors, and staff at our facility for a holiday fair. People from all over the world talked and laughed together, ate good food, and enjoyed being together. I felt especially happy to see the Afghan women in our program selling beautiful handmade crafts which will become holiday gifts. I went home feeling hopeful. That event and your messages have helped frame the random violence and terror against the reality of a community that cares for each other and is working towards welcome and peace. We're glad to be part of it.