The world experiences tragedies frequently, from mosque bombings to school shootings. With every tragedy, we are forced to face the outcomes and bounce back with resilience, and we are only able to do so through unified efforts. A simple word to describe the solidarity of communities, unity is one of the most powerful forms of support during times of hardship.
It becomes instinctual to assign blame, to call out the “bad guy” and draw a distinction between good and evil. Fear and paranoia cause people to disperse hate, as they build an emotional shield while scapegoating others. The unwarranted hatred and separation caused by fear mongering leaves lasting consequences.
However, tragic situations such as 9/11 or the Boston Marathon Bombings demonstrate the capability for love and unity to arise from such pain. Even with the loss of innocent civilian lives, the communities that all experienced the heartbreak were able to heal through compassion and empathy. Unity is vital, as individuals are given the opportunity to come together and cope as a whole, instead of allowing useless panic to split apart the world.
Unity is necessary today, more than ever before, as we all are learning to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic that has swept the globe. With the first known cases identified in Wuhan, China, the infectious virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica, and the numbers continue to rise exponentially. Especially with easy access to social media, it has become increasingly easy to disseminate hate, as racism and misinformation has led to a dramatic spread of harmful messages, particularly targeting Asian communities. Everyday, new headlines detailing brutal hate crimes emerge at the top of newspapers and social media, making notions of unity and love feel ever so distant. While the technology of modern society is beneficial in many ways, providing the ability to connect individuals with love, the same platforms can be used to spread inaccurate information, promoting racist and prejudiced assumptions. With President Trump and social media influencers calling the pandemic the “Chinese virus,” it is becoming ever so difficult to combat the xenophobic statements that are so quickly propogated online. It can seem appealing to blame others for the outbreak, as nearly everyone’s life has been turned upside down, but such useless hatred and racism simply distracts citizens from addressing the real imminent danger: the raging pandemic.
Despite the saddening examples of hate and division that continue to threaten communities worldwide, many have still found the strength and power in optimism and unity. Selfless citizens have set up numerous coronavirus relief funds and charities, aimed at bolstering the financial stability of all those affected by the outbreak. Many have also taken to social media platforms as a means of celebrating essential workers, such as janitors and store employees, who put their lives at risk everyday to keep society moving during a time of chaos.
At times, it can feel daunting with no end in plain sight. However, there is no reason that individual action cannot be taken from home to mitigate the crisis. For some, coming together to help others can be extremely therapeutic, as it teaches the importance of gratitude and community. Where there is creativity and the desire to do good, many helpful people are able to unite and serve their communities. Groups worldwide have truly defied the odds, working to reduce societal divisions through giving back and supporting others in the pandemic. Today’s youth have contributed immensely to many organizations and funds set up to aid those affected by the nationwide shutdown. With celebrities and talk show hosts such as Kanye West and Jimmy Kimmel choosing charitable groups to donate money to weekly, many fans and supporters have been inspired to give anything they can to help take part in the solution.
As uncertainty and fear continue to grip the world, the most important action is to simply stay home. In order to help lessen the rapid spreading of COVID-19, self-quarantining is far more essential than any amount of hand sanitizer and Clorox. No matter our socioeconomic background or which country we are from, we are all in this together. While the future remains uncertain, we will be able to overcome this crazy, fearful time together through love and unity.
