How do we respond to such a tragedy?

It’s a simple question. ‘What will you do differently tomorrow, Christchurch?’ Posted on social media, among the outpouring of grief and messages for the people killed at the Masjid Al Noor on Deans Ave and the Linwood Masjid on Linwood Ave on Friday, the question is something we all need to take to heart.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in the face of what has been an act of extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence, has given New Zealand a message of unity.

‘‘Many of those who would have been directly affected by this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand. They may even be refugees here. They have chosen to make New Zealand their home, and it is their home. They are us,’’ Ardern said hours after being briefed on the killings. They. Are. Us.

There’s a path for us to follow here, if we choose to take it. In fact, it’s not really a choice, is it? As a nation we have already come together to support one another.

And so, let’s put this question to Southland.

What will we do differently? Southland is our home. So, how united are we really? How educated are we about new members of our community making their home here?

How much knowledge and understanding do we have of other people’s beliefs and traditions, and how supportive are we?

Posing these questions is not about blame or suddenly shining an intense light on different members of our communities. But it is a chance to reflect, educate, and it is a chance to express kindness and compassion.

We are home to a growing and vibrant migrant community. Our diversity reflects the rest of New Zealand. It is something to be celebrated, but not in silos of isolation to specific communities.

This act of violence has shaken everyone in New Zealand. We all respond in different ways but we are all aghast that this has happened.

In the coming days, months and years there will be ongoing analysis of this event. Perhaps the first thing we can do differently is drop the labels.

Labels put people into categories, into boxes, like migrant, multi-cultural, ethnic ... the list could go on.

Right now, They. Are. Us. is the message we needed to hear. It’s a message the world needed to hear.

In the future, perhaps ‘‘they’’ will never be used.

One word ... Kiwis.

‘‘How much knowledge and understanding do we have of other people’s beliefs and traditions, and how supportive are we?’’