First Responders Are Our Neighbours!

As I sit down to reflect on our recent gathering, I'm struck by the depth of wisdom and experience shared by our group. We came together to discuss the storms brewing in our country - both political and natural - and how we can weather them as a community.

Our conversation began with Peter setting the stage: "There's two storms brewing in our country. We had the political storm, the presidential election, but then we also had the Hurricane Helene. And what does that mean? How can we weather the storm?"

I introduced Stephan guy, a remarkable individual whose life has been dedicated to service. From mentoring young men in Inglewood to being on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve's experiences paint a picture of commitment to community. He shared, "When COVID hit, I renewed some of my medical license and I was with the first emergency, mobile emergency response team for COVID vaccination and testing in the city of Chicago."

The discussion then turned to the importance of bridging political divides. Peter spoke about an organization called Braver Angels, saying, "We want to reduce that polarization, bring people together. To be part of the solution and turn the tide on the toxicity."

As we delved deeper into the impact of natural disasters, my niece Dianne shared her harrowing experience during Hurricane Katrina. Her words were powerful and moving: "I don't know if it's ever really over. Just seeing those pictures just now was triggering... It's upsetting because I've been there... You don't feel like you just lost your house. You lost your community. You lost your family, everything because everybody was disbursed."

Stephan, drawing from his extensive experience in disaster response, offered practical advice on preparedness. "You don't buy perishable food. You buy, if you don't eat it, I'm sorry. You buy stuff like spam, things like that," he explained.

As we wrapped up our discussion, I emphasized the importance of community and shared humanity. "We've forgotten what citizenship is. We've forgotten that we need each other even to make a difference in this climate and beyond this election," I said, reflecting on the lessons learned from Katrina and the power of block clubs in Chicago.

Stephan's final words resonated deeply with all of us: "You don't need to be fast and strong 'cause a kind word can go a long way. Help someone whose faith is gone to get back up and carry on."

This gathering reminded me of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community. As we face the storms ahead - both literal and metaphorical - may we remember that we are stronger together, and that each of us has the capacity to be a superhero in our own way.