4 Ways to Respond to Tragedy With Action and Hope

The last week has been tough. In Kentucky, an elderly black man and woman lost their lives after a gunman opened fire in a grocery store, a school shooting North Carolina left one young man dead, and people all over the country are mourning the loss of 11 men and women after a white nationalist attacked their synagogue. (Read DoSomething’s response here and a guide on practicing self-care in the face of discrimination.)

With all the things happening in the news, it’s easy to feel hopeless and to lose a little faith in humanity. But, in the words of Mr. Rogers:

“My mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.”

In times of tragedy and adversity, look to the helpers -- and, if you’re able, become one yourself. Below are examples of responses to the tragedy in Pittsburgh that are thoughtful, action-oriented, and impactful. These things give us hope -- we want to share that hope with you.

1. Fundraise for the affected community.

Active allyship is more important now more than ever. In an amazing show of interfaith allyship, a crowdfund organized by Muslim organizations CelebrateMercy and MPower Change has raised almost $200,000 in support of Tree of Life Synagogue and the families of the deceased. Additionally, the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh raised over $70,000.

Beyond these two funds, there are plenty of opportunities to participate in fundraising for the affected families and community. In addition to the official GoFundMe, the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh is accepting donations while the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh is providing counseling to affected families.

2. Hold your lawmakers accountable.

We’re quickly approaching Election Day 2018, and election that promises to be historic. It’s crucial to make sure our elected officials hear and respond to the needs of the communities they serve. One of the best ways to do that is to pledge to vote on November 6. You can also take action with organizations in the space. The Pittsburgh chapter of Bend the Arc, a Jewish organization focused on social justice, wrote a letter demanding President Trump to openly denounce bigotry and hate. Over 86,000 people have signed in solidarity.

3. Listen to and uplift the voices of targeted communities.

The Anti-Defamation League, an organization that has been tracking the occurrence of anti-Semitic incidents since 1979, has been reporting the increase of incidents since 2016. Similarly, everyday Jewish people have actively been expressing concern over the resurgence of anti-Semitic attitudes, behaviors, and crimes. It’s incredibly important, and good allyship, to listen and uplift the voices of affected communities and to take their perspectives seriously. Check in with your friends who are a part of that community, and research organizations like the Anti-Defamation League or Southern Poverty Law Center who have information readily available for you to read and share.

4. Remember and honor those who lost their lives.

Let’s never forget that those who lost their lives are not merely numbers or victims -- they are human beings, with spouses, children, brothers, sisters, and friends. Learn their names and read their stories. In the days since the shooting, people came together to honor in beautiful ways those who were lost. Students from Allderdice High School organized an interfaith vigil held at Sixth Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh. They weren’t alone -- all across the country, people of all religions, of all life experiences came together to honor the lives of the deceased and pledge to continue honoring them through action. People united to reaffirm that though we may be different and hate can be powerful, that we will not be divided.