The Urge to Insert Ourselves Into Tragedy—And Why I’m Teaching My Kids to Do Better

In the wake of tragedies, there’s always a rush to say something.

To make it personal.

To find a way to insert ourselves into the moment, even if—truthfully—it has nothing to do with us.

Take the recent crash of American Airlines flight 5342. A tragedy that claimed the lives of 60+ people. And yet, scrolling social media, I’ve seen post after post from people talking about how they just left DCA, were about to fly there, had once been on that route, and how grateful they are that they weren’t on that flight.

But imagine being a family member of someone who was on board, reading how relieved strangers are that they weren’t? Imagine how painful it is to see people centering themselves in a tragedy that doesn’t belong to them?

I get it.

The internet, social media, and the 24/7 news-ish cycle have shaped us into intense reactors and pick me’s. And yes, I’ve been guilty of this, too.

But I’m going to try and teach my kids not to do this.