Buffalo's Resilience

The city of Buffalo has faced many hard times in these past several months, including the mass shooting at Tops, the December blizzard and previous winter storm, a deadly house fire, and now worrying about Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamiln who remains in critical condition. The Buffalo community has shown their resiliency through these tough times – where each experience impacts various communities within the city differently. Tracey Reichert Schimpff, associate teaching professor in Syracuse University’s Falk College, shared her thoughts on the Buffalo community below. If you are interested in an interview with Professor Reichert Schimpff, please reach out to Vanessa Marquette, Media Relations Specialist, at vrmarque@syr.edu.

She writes:

“The tragedies that have unfolded in Buffalo recently have many asking ‘why?’ or ‘how could this happen?’ Others, especially those who witnessed such tragedy, may be asking what they can do to help. Offering support assists both those who are suffering as well as those who have witnessed traumatic events. 

Tragic loss and the toll that trauma takes on a community needs to be acknowledged. No one can change events once they happen, but healing can occur when communities come together. An outpouring of words of comfort, prayers, and well wishes acknowledges the experiences of loss and the deep feelings of sadness or pain of those who are suffering. As humans, it is comforting to know that we are not alone. Individuals and communities can also help those impacted by trauma by identifying needs and contributing resources – whether they be social, spiritual, physical, or financial.

While no community or people deserve to endure tragedy or traumatic events, coming through such experiences builds resilience. The ways that the Buffalo community has stood together, remained strong, and shown care and compassion for one another is an example of community resilience. Citizens of Buffalo have found ways to rely on one another in order to move through the most challenging and horrific of circumstances. The community has garnered strength from within and has reason to believe that they can overcome adversity.”  

You can learn more about Professor Reichert Schimpff by clicking here.

Our thoughts are with the Buffalo community.