Lessons in resilience from New York, Gander

Last month, I went to see Come From Away on Broadway with my wife and friends.

For those not familiar with this award-winning musical, it’s based on what happened in the Newfoundland town of Gander on 9/11, when almost 40 trans-Atlantic flights were diverted to the local airport — once a major Second World War refuelling base — after the United States closed its airspace. But more on the play later.

New York and New Yorkers have a reputation of being tough. This came out clearly in the wake of the Dec. 11, 2001, terrorist attack.

While I was in New York, I was staying in a hotel near where a 27-year-old man detonated a pipe bomb in the subway close to Times Square, injuring himself severely. Fortunately, only a handful of other people were wounded, none gravely, although I can imagine the panic in the minutes following.

What was the more general reaction of New Yorkers to this attack? A collective shrug, from what I witnessed.

A few things must be said to put this in perspective. The attack was small in scope and no one died. When you have lived through 9/11, the setting off of a puny pipe bomb probably doesn’t really rate.

Still, the lack of general panic does deserve comment. When we talk of “resilience” to terrorism and a need to get back to normality as soon as possible, these are often just words.

Terrorism frightens many and has a direct impact on what people do and where they go. I have heard many say they are reluctant to travel due to potential terrorism. This kind of reaction, while understandable, supports the goals of terrorists: causing fear and dictating how we live.

New Yorkers have decided they won’t give in to such forced change in their routine. True, this is neither Mogadishu nor Baghdad, where terrorism is a daily scourge — but the “New York state of mind” is nonetheless inspiring.

Now back to the play.

Come From Away is a delightful look into Newfoundland culture and a touching retelling of how the residents of Gander dealt with a challenging situation on a tragic day.

The writers did not ignore the fear and anxiety felt by the almost 7,000 passengers stuck in a place most could not have found on a map, unable to learn more about what was going on and unable to tell their families they were OK.

But what comes through beautifully is the way Gander’s population took in complete strangers and tried to restore a sense of normality at a time that was anything but normal.

This is the lesson from Come From Away: Even when faced with a terrorist attack, we can respond humanely and allow the “better angels of our nature” to shine through. We do not have to succumb to despair and hopelessness but can react with strength and compassion.

We can show through our actions that our way is superior to that of the terrorists.

In the end, do we really have a choice? I sincerely hope that we elect to be more like Newfoundlanders and New Yorkers in saying confidently to would-be terrorists: You will not crush our spirit.