History has a habit of repeating itself, but there has never been a situation quite like the world we now find ourselves in—but we can look back for inspiration.
After my last column, I kept thinking about a line from the song “Blankets and Bedding” from the musical “Come From Away”: “Can I help? Is there something/ I need to do something/ To keep me from thinking of/ All of those scenes on the tube/ I need something to do/ ‘Cause I can’t watch the news/ No, I can’t watch the news anymore.”
“Come From Away” is a musical about the 7,000-plus passengers from 38 planes who were diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada, after the U.S. government closed the country’s airspace shortly after the 9/11 attacks took place.
Gander International Airport was a crucial refueling point for any transatlantic flight in the early ages of the airline industry. But after the invention of large jets that could make transatlantic flights without refueling, Gander Airport traffic dropped dramatically. The town was no more than 10,000 people, but the large airport remained.
On that fateful Tuesday, the whole town just wanted to help. They mobilized incredibly fast, getting anything the passengers might have needed, as they weren’t allowed to take their checked luggage for security reasons.
It took 24 hours before all the planes were emptied. By then, the passengers were put in schools, churches, anywhere with room for them to sleep. As Nancy Budgell, an employee at the Gander Hotel, described it in a brief documentary made for the 10-year anniversary of the attacks: “As we say in Newfoundland, there’s always room for one more at the table.” These locals accepted total strangers into their town, as well as the 2,400 passengers diverted to neighboring towns, such as Appleton. Locals fed them, gave them medicine and gave them clothes. Most importantly, they gave them hope in the goodness of others.
The story of Gander is so magical because it shows the best of humanity—that even on one of the worst days, people could be their best. I would suggest learning more about the story of Gander, whether it be in text, podcast or musical form.
We’re truly experiencing a 9/11-level event, a test of the world and of this nation. In the opening of his first show after 9/11, comedian Jon Stewart gave a powerful and compelling speech with an important message: “I wanted to tell you why I grieve, but why I don’t despair.”
I would like to echo Mr. Stewart. I grieve for the fear, death, pain and destruction happening right now—but I do not despair. We are people, not defined by a flag, a line on a map or a leader. We are people who are reaching out to those in need. We are people who are treating others with compassion. We are people who are trying to do good.
In the aftermath of 9/11, we saw two versions of humanity: the one embodied by Gander of rebuilding, love and compassion. We also saw another version: people responded with discrimination, hate and xenophobia. Now, we have a chance to decide who we want to be.
In elementary school, my principal would end every morning announcement with the same phrase, one that I did not fully understand and appreciate at that time. “Make it a great day or not. The choice is yours.”
We can make it a great planet or not. The choice is ours.
