Blackout evokes
decency, kindness
from New Yorkers
Consider this letter a clarification
of sorts.
Despite what the media would
have you believe — that the Blackout
of 2003 "wreaked havoc" upon
Northeast
ern America, s s SZT
that our na- ^38 R
tion showed COMMENTARY
its vulnera- _
bility to ter
rorism, that New York City was re
duced to a sweltering mass of chaos
— August's power blip was nothing
but that: a blip..
Being a temporary resident of New
York City (Harlem's Sugar Hill, specifi
cally), 1 was one of millions who found
themselves stuck in Midtown at the end
of the business day. And I was also one
of millions who realized that nothing
could be done and calmly began walk
ing home. (To be fair, the walk was
probably the worst part, being as that 1
was near 23rd Street at the time of the
surge and reside at 153rd.)
But the New York City of the 2003
Blackout was a far cry from the same
town that imploded under similar cir
cumstances in 1977. Instead of reacting
with looting, violence and a lack of re
gard for the law, New Yorkers treated
each other with kindness and respect.
r
Some gave up on trying to get home
immediately and instead helped direct
traffic. Others provided their own per
sonal flashlights to help guide those
stuck in subway tunnels to daylight.
Even tire small stores and bodegas re
mained open, operating by candlelight
and offering necessary supplies at a
small discount. Suddenly everyone
found themselves in the mutual posi
tion of finally having the opportunity
to enjoy a nice walk home with 10 mil
lion of their closer neighbors — and 1
can't even begin to count how many
impromptu block parties and small
gatherings 1 passed on my journey
home. If anything the events of that
Thursday evening set the tone for the
entire weekend, as city residents were
urged to leave their apartment to avoid
another air-conditioner overload and
instead enjoy the local beaches and
parks. like most of Manhattan, 1 barbe
cued. And got drunk. And then barbe
cued some more.
So don't believe the hype. We're
fine — New York's a lot tougher than
that. And hell, we all got a three-day
weekend! Maybe this really is the
greatest city in the world ...
Raechel M. Sims, a former University
student, lives in Grants Pass.
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