Trymaine Lee On How Buffalo Is ‘Helping Their Own’ One Year After Mass Shooting

Hey there, podcast aficionados! Have you ever tuned into a podcast and found yourself struck by the profound, sobering stories it unveils? Well, you're not alone. Podcasts like "Into America" delve deep into the heart of societal issues, shedding light on the untold stories and the unspoken struggles faced by countless communities.

A Year Since Unthinkable Tragedy

Imagine this: it's been a whole year, and it's been immeasurable. What am I talking about? Tragedies. Mass shootings. Motivated by hatred and extremism. It's shocking how quickly we forget the heart-wrenching events that unfolded a year ago. If you were to ask someone, "What happened in Buffalo, America?" chances are they'd draw a blank when confronted with the memory of a mass shooting, solely due to the color of the victims' skin. But for those who lived through it in Buffalo, particularly the Black community, the scars are still raw.

Communities Standing Tall

The weight of trauma and bloodshed falls heavily upon the shoulders of communities enduring such tragedies. No manual or roadmap exists for navigating the aftermath of a mass shooting, but what's truly remarkable is the resilience of the people. Long after the cameras are gone and the politicians have moved on to the next news cycle, these communities come together to support one another.

One shining example of this resilience is Trinetta Alston. Before the tragedy, she was dedicated to child immunizations, a focus on vaccination. But it was the wounds that aren't visible to the naked eye, the ones that cut deep into the soul, that she found herself addressing. She formed a sisterhood and brotherhood with survivors and employees of the supermarket where the tragedy occurred. Laughter began to make its way back into their lives through this connection.

Ten lives were lost that day, and even though the supermarket has been remodeled and refurbished, the pain still lingers. It's a testament to the indomitable spirit of these communities that some of those affected have returned to work at the scene of the tragedy. The wounds may be hidden, but the healing has only just begun.

Fame in the Face of Tragedy

It's unsettling how cities that were once unknown in the broader landscape become synonymous with mass shootings. In the days following these horrific events, the media swarms, and the world watches. But once the headlines fade, these places are left empty and hollow, with the somber certainty that another tragedy will soon steal the limelight.

So, what do the people who've experienced this want us to know? They want us to know that they're still standing. The names and faces of the victims may be etched in our memories, but what about those who survived? Those who witnessed the horrors? They, too, need support. It's not just about donations; it's about love, legislation, and prayers.

Facing Racism and White Supremacy

The scars run deeper for communities targeted because of their race. East Buffalo, where the shooting occurred, was a predominantly Black community, and it became a target. Racism and white supremacy had set the stage for this tragedy, drawing boundaries and lines based on the color of one's skin.

These communities are left to carry the weight of this history, and although they're standing strong, they're not unscarred. While they've come together to support one another, they're suffering, and their pain is far from over.

A Story of Resilience

In the face of tragedy, the people of Buffalo, and countless other communities like them, display unwavering resilience. They refuse to be defined solely by the terrible events that scar their neighborhoods. They stand together, ready to face the future, armed with their collective strength and determination.

So, remember, it's not just about the headlines and the victims' names; it's about the survivors, the witnesses, and the communities left to bear the burden of trauma. These are the stories that matter, and these are the stories that remind us of the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.