When
I lived in Boston, I spent every Marathon Monday hanging around Copley,
struck by the crackling emotion, power, and vulnerability alive at the
finish line. A rare and gorgeous community emerged each year, so real
you could practically put your hand upon it. That it has been split open
today makes my knees week in sorrow. The familiarity of this ground, as this brutal story unspools in even
international papers, makes me feel sick. I know this place. I
lived there. People I love live there. I hung out on this very stretch of Boylston just last month and got all nostalgic about it. Now, it's rendered as a setpiece for harm.
What is heartening: tremendous first responders, including journalists at, for example,
The Boston Globe, who have done an amazing job reporting the story. Information matters, and journalists too are among those who move into the risk in times like these. Certainly they have our attention; they also need our support.
As I type, visiting the paper's website directs you automatically to its full and complete ongoing live coverage. It is the Globe that also set up the Google Docs where people are
requesting help and
offering their homes to displaced runners and others.
Thousands are
coming through, their hands offered in help. This is what is real.
Copley Station, the entrance outside the Boston Public Library. Now closed until further notice.
Hospitality, both a simple and radical thing, in practice:
"I don't live in the city--but can come get anyone who needs a place to stay"
"I will come pick up anyone who needs a place to stay. I have a spare
bedroom with a queen sized bed. I am located about 15 minutes from the
Franklin MBTA stop and 20 minutes from the Providence airport. I will do
whatever I can."
"Can pick someone up. Have extra bedroom and private bathroom. I'm a good cook."
"We have food, water, blankets"
"Ashland is pretty far out of Boston -- very close to the starting line
-- but if by chance anyone is out this way and needs a place to stay, I
have several extra bedrooms. I can also drive to pick people up."
"I have a couch, love seat, and could probably offer my roommates bed if necessary."
"Mit fraternity house (zeta psi) in cambridge with plenty of couches to crash on and hot showers"
"I live in an MIT dormitory. Not much space, but am happy to offer what I can."
"Take the commuter rail to walpole and we can pick you up at the station"
"We are less than a half mile from the Marathon finish line in a South
End brownstone. We have a spare bedroom that could sleep two people in a
queen bed for the night."
"On corner of Harvard and Commonwealth Ave. If you know where you are,
I'm happy to direct you/meet you. Have room to sleep multiple people, or
just feed you until you get your bearings."
"I work late but can be home quickly, so call, email or text and I will head right home."
"Call me and come stay."
"Will drive in to bring anyone who needs a place about an hour north of the city"
"I am a student with a comfortable couch. We have plenty of food, showers, etc."
"Anything you need: food, comfy couch to sleep on, and even some wine and a cat to hang out with for as long as you need"
"I live in an apartment on Mass Ave about three blocks away from the
Boston Medical Center. There are three people staying here (me, my
girlfriend, and my roommate) and I have a large living room with couches
and an air mattress. Praying for all those hurt by this tragedy."
"Apartment at BC, living room open to whoever needs a place to sleep!"
"iphone chargers, cupcakes, blankets, pillows & 2 couches!!"
"Random Hall dorm, MIT Campus. Please email first."
"I live in an MIT undergraduate dorm, but I'm always willing to give up my bed for them to sleep in."
"plenty of room"
"We have a little baby at home, so the house is kid friendly. There's
ample parking on the street and the neighborhood is safe and easy to get
to."
"Full-sized bed, shower, free food!"
"(we are at) Instead Feminist co-op on Wellesley College campus"
"We are on the commuter rail line (Middleboro-Lakeville). We speak Spanish and Portuguese."
"I work in hotel sales for the Northeast... Happy to feed any runners and
help find and transport to hotels outside of Boston if need be due to
evacuations in the city. Thinking of everyone."
"Gay couple. Kid and dog friendly. 2 rooms with double beds available."
"food, pull out couch, love and support."
"You can come here!"
"Have a guest bedroom and happy to host whoever needs!"
"We have one double bed, a couch, and an air mattress. Can reasonably fit
5 people. Food, water, beer, and moral support also available."
All of you in Boston: I love you.