Terrorism by definition is meant to scare us. Don’t tell that to New Yorkers, though.
Ever since 9/11 Americans, especially New Yorkers, know that terrorists want us to live in fear. Naturally we’ve doubled down on making sure the terrorists know we are absolutely, most definitely not afraid.
Anecdotally, it was evidenced by the standing room only train on this writers morning commute to New York. Not only were they still showing up for work on a miserable, rainy Monday – but when the emergency alert sounded simultaneously on everyone’s phones – no one flinched.
Oh, there’s a terrorist on the loose? Meh.
New Yorkers on social media are basically spiking the football and excessively celebrating in the face of this failed attacker, who his now in custody without having killed (or seemingly scared) anyone. Some of the best posts:
Ayyy, oh. This is New York City, you don't come here and blow up our garbage. there coulda been some good stuff in there
— MKupperman (@MKupperman) September 19, 2016
Actually, everything is NOT fine here in Chelsea. I was paying $850/month to live in that dumpster
— 100% Scream To Scar (@McLeemz) September 18, 2016
Even though it’s not a laughing matter, the fact that no one died in these series of bombs is making it a little easier to joke about.
Not much better than a terrorist trying to inflict mass casualties only to end up injuring themselves and no one else — and New Yorkers are rising to the challenge.
Mock on, New York. Mock on.
h/t Mashable