How Manchester Won and Terror Lost
Today is the 4 year anniversary of the Manchester Arena Attack.
The attack happened on 22nd May 2017, at 10:34pm during an Ariana Grande concert. 22 people died and many more were injured physically and emotionally. The attack is something that has affected the lives of every Mancunian.
This horrific event was supposed to tear us apart, to make us afraid and lost. And it did for a short while, with Islamophobic hate crime rising by 500% in the aftermath. My parents didn't allow me to go on public transport for a while after, in fear of me being targeted. The atmosphere was very hostile and in the days after, I felt very distressed and upset at the incident and how other innocent people were being targeted. I can't imagine how much harder it must have been for those who lost loved ones in such terrible circumstances.
We lost 22 angels that day. We were supposed to be angry, bitter. But Manchester showed us how to use all that feeling to stand united. The attack pulled us together, uniting us all in our loss, and therein finding our strength. Taxi drivers were giving free rides to escort people out of the Arena. Hotel managers opened their doors to anyone without anywhere to stay for the night. Hospitality offered free meals to feed people in need. Healthcare professionals worked tirelessly to help mend victims to the best of their abilities.
Manchester said, "Don't Look Back In Anger". We chose that day to celebrate the lives of those lost, and give no time to thinking of the hate that caused all of this. Those terrorists wanted to bring us down and use the name of a peaceful religion to spread hatred, to make us feel isolated and start turning on each other. But what I saw overwhelmingly in the weeks after was not resentment and loathing of 'different' people, but love and support. People pulling together, being kind to strangers, donating millions to the We Love Manchester emergency fund for the victims' families. People of all races and religions, demonstrating they cared, that the victims' families were not in this alone, because Manchester would be there to grieve with them.
And then the One Love Manchester concert, held by Ariana Grande two weeks after the attack. Seeing all our people, as well as artists from across the world lending support to Manchester, helped us stand together united against terrorism. I remember watching the concert at home and feeling so overcome by emotion. I also remember the memorial display in St Ann's Square, which was filled with thousands of bouquets and kind messages of unity. It was the first time I'd seen a city grieve, we all felt the loss regardless of whether we personally knew the 22.
I definitely think being Mancunian has changed since 22nd May 2017. We are known globally for our worker bee symbol and cotton industry that rose in the Industrial Revolution, and of course being the second city of the UK, but now our reputation has been updated to reflect our values. Like bees, we've proven that in the face of hatred, we will only come together as the community we are and be there for one another. Manchester is no place for hate, terror or bigotry. As one of the most diverse cities in the UK, we pride ourselves on celebrating our differences, because they make us unique as a community. There's a place for everyone here.
As always, our thoughts are with those affected by the attack and the 22 angels, who will always be in Manchester's prayers.
This clip was used by ITV in May 2017 at a secondary school to talk to students about their thoughts on the Manchester Arena Attack. All rights reserved.
*If you have been affected by the theme in this blog, please reach out for support via http://www.manchesterattacksupport.org.uk/
* Statisitic on hate crime from the Guardian article:
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