The Show Doesn’t Always Have to Go On
I’m a Jersey girl, born and bred. Yet I remain far removed from the tragedy that has swept my home state and the boroughs and outlying areas of New York City. Physically, anyway.
We live outside of D.C. now, in a suburb in Virginia. We were apparently in the storm’s path as well, but it swept by with minimal damage in comparison to what we have endured through other storms that have hit our area.
From the updates I receive, friends and family are safe. Power outages abound. Trees have fallen but our homes and property have been able to survive it. The Jersey Shore as I knew as a child is gone. Most of my friends who have seen it believe it can never be restored.
FRIENDS HAVE LOST CARS
FRIENDS HAVE LOST HOPE
FRIENDS HAVE LOST HOMES SWEPT AWAY BY THE STORM
FRIENDS CAN’T GET GAS. SOMETIMES THERE IS NO GAS. SOMETIMES THERE IS NO POWER FOR THE PUMPS.
SOME PEOPLE STILL HAVEN’T BEEN RESCUED
FRIENDS CONTINUE TO PRAY
OUR SHORES ARE GONE
This is a picture from Staten Island, NY. Staten Island is one of the most devastated of the outer boroughs of NYC. Every person living here has been impacted or has had loved ones impacted.
It’s also been a place with a high death count. The borough has been devastated beyond recognition.
The casualties in Staten Island account for half of the number of casualties throughout the New York metropolis. And while help is coming, Staten Island residents wonder why it’s not coming faster.
Amidst all this devastation, Staten Island will also be the starting point for the ING New York Marathon, still scheduled to start on Sunday morning. Mayor Bloomberg’s decision seems to be heavily influenced by the fact that the race generates hundreds of millions of dollars for the city.
I get that. I actually even get how powerful of a message a race like this could be towards New York’s recovery and healing. In 2001, just a few weeks after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I participated in the Marine Corps Marathon and we ran past the Western side of the Pentagon, where the devastating wreckage was visible for all the runners to see.
But we were further down the path to recovery. The full death count had been tallied. Families were grieving but some level of normalcy had been established, there was no lack of electricity, running water and critical resources, like food and gas. Public transportation had been fully re-established.
I imagine that the 2001 New York City Marathon must have also been incredibly healing for the city, restoring pride for citizens. Creating hope. A beautiful symbol of the resiliency of a city that would not allow a treacherous terrorist attack to maim it any further.
As we sit here in 2012, we are facing different circumstances. A week ago, a natural disaster which was beyond anybody’s control left with it a wave of destruction that very few have recovered from. Not far from the starting line for the Marathon is the wreckage that we once knew as Staten Island.
It is no longer recognizable.
They have no light. No homes. No water.
Nothing.
Some have lost family.
Bloomberg says that none of the resources being used for the Marathon (EMTs, Police Officers) are being diverted from the efforts to assist those still recovering from Sandy. However, if the resources are available, why are not they being sent to provide further aid to the boroughs of Queens and Staten Island?
The Verrazano and Queensboro bridges will be closed that day, leaving Staten Island further isolated from New York City.
So where am I going with this? Why in the hell are we holding a Marathon right now when we should be helping people get back on their feet? Restore critical resources. Stop the risk of additional looting, a threat to the safety and security of the citizens in all five boroughs.
I am not vilifying anybody, especially not the runners, many of whom I know have worked hard to qualify for this race and have travelled great distances to participate.
I just am very confused. And really shocked that Mayor Bloomberg, a man I hold great respect for, is allowing this to happen.
I will continue to pray for those who still need help.
And I hope you will too.
Kiran
NOTE: As of this evening, Friday, November 2nd – the Marathon has been officially cancelled. Thank you, Mayor Bloomberg.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/02/us-storm-sandy-marathon-idUSBRE8A103R20121102
I'm Kiran, I'm a dreamer. A writer. A singer. A mother. An ugly crier. An Indian-American. Who loves Gandhi. My stories are full of truth that is sometimes hard for me to say out loud. This blog is where I overcome my fears and live (and love) out loud.
Very well said – I completely agree! A dear friend was training for this marathon and withdrew, it just didn’t feel right for all the reasons you stated above. They really need to stop comparing it to the post 9/11 marathon because it’s really not the same thing.
Hi Divya,
It’s totally not the same thing. I feel like every time I turn the news on I hear something more devastating and I think – well, now they are going to cancel it for sure! But nope, same old shit each time.
They are pushing people out of the hotels now because the runners had reservations in advance, but these people have nowhere else to go.
It just seems like having that many people converge upon the city right now is only going to create additional issues.
I wish your friend luck – she can still run next year if she qualified for it!
Kiran
Praying, praying, praying.
xoxoxo
Hope you are recovering well with Mr. Darcy by your side, Deb
I have a friend here in Florida who has been training hard for the marathon. She was very torn about going and had a hard time making the decision. I don’t understand it. I can’t imagine how this will be accomplished. I guess, only time will tell. It’s been a tough week. I live in Boca were everyone and their mother is from NY or knows someone from NY… my husband saw his hometown destroyed on TV, our friends are cut off from the world and we only know they are ok. Guess, in the end that’s all that matters.
I know, right?
It’s been devastating to hear the little snippets and every new story seems a little worse than the last. Hearing about the two little boys was tragic – the mother sought help from a man but he would not even answer the door. As more casualties are uncovered, there will be more stories told, long past Sunday.
It’s not about the money right now. It’s about being on the ground and rebuilding the lives of these people.
I hope you continue to get positive reports from home!
Kiran
I completely agree, I was talking about this topic yesterday. It is way too soon for the marathon, families have not mourned losses or even recuperated from the storm. It just does not make sense to me. Indeed, bringing in $ to NYC is great but sometimes it is not about the revenue. Individuals matter!! All the news reports are so sad
I think that’s one of the most “right on” things I have heard about this. It’s not about the revenue, its about the individuals.
At the end of the day, one of the best things about NYC is that it is a city that has soul.
I feel like it’s selling a little bit of that soul right now for the promise of revenue.
Kiran
I live in nyc and honestly I’m not sure how I feel about the marathon.
I think there are some benefits. I get the revenue factor. I also get that people have traveled the world over to get there. I just don’t know how appropriate it is when there are people looting, starting to get desperate and violence becoming a real factor …
I hope that you and all of your family are safe! Hope you also have power too as I know its starting to get cold….
Kiran
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Great post. I feel like you and I have been marathon “talking” all day and I never even mentioned that my first marathon was also 10/28/2011, just weeks after 9/11. I was sure they would cancel………. And had mixed feelings when they didn’t. I decided to run with pride and in honor for all that we lost on 9/11. And I ran in total fear. But you’re right, while this is not another 9/11 and people cant even start to “heal” yet…the devastation is so widespread and people are in need of help and basic needs desperately.
I think I have officially retired from marathons but what an awesome thing to take part in in NYC — next year.
You know I recall that now, thinking that they might cancel and being surprised when they didn’t. I am so glad they didn’t – and I recall the heightened security measures they took because at that time, anything event/venue with a high attendance or crowd was considered a “high risk” area.
I am done with marathons too. I think. I need something less sweaty
Kiran