Viral Photo from NYC Subway Captures America At Its Best
The caption under the photo read: “This is my America: people letting people be people.” The photo going viral on social media has people cheering on diversity in the U.S. On Sunday, native New Yorker Jackie Summers posted a photo on Facebook and Twitter that appears to show a Jewish man and woman sitting on a NYC subway car next to a Muslim woman in a hijab holding a baby. The caption Summers wrote on Facebook reads: “A Taoist (me) gives up his seat so a Hasidic couple could sit together. They scoot over so a Muslim mother could sit and nurse her baby, on Easter Sunday. This is my America: people letting people be people.” The Facebook post had garnered more than 75,000 reactions and 58,000 shares by Wednesday afternoon. People commented on the photo to celebrate the diversity that it reflects, and what that means for the country.
“THIS, is what makes America great and these days I’ve been struggling to find ways to feel good about America,” one person wrote on Facebook. “We, the people…Thank you for restoring a little of my faith in humanity today, Jackie.” “This gives me JOY! I will always pray that we as a nation might become ONE as we embrace each other & our differences!” another person commented on Twitter. “A Beautiful Tapestry!”
Summers said the photo, which he took on the F train after leaving a dim sum brunch, simply captures an everyday moment in his city and country. It’s worth noting that he didn’t ask the riders’ permission to take or post the image, as he said that would have “felt forced and staged.” “The moment is extraordinary in its ordinariness: common courtesy as an afterthought is the NYC and the America I was raised to believe in,” Summers told The Huffington Post in an email. “Given the age of divisiveness we live in, it seems people are looking at this photo as a reason to put issues like race, religion, and sex aside to focus on more important issues relevant to peaceful coexistence.” Since the election of President Donald Trump, several interactions on the New York City subway have garnered nationwide attention for highlighting diversity and division in the U.S. In February for example, subway riders were photographed cleaning swastikas off of a train’s walls and in March, a young Latina woman was filmed shutting down a fellow rider’s xenophobic rant. “As the grandchild of immigrants, my ancestors believed America to be a place where the possibility of equity existed,” Summers said. “While it’s clear we still have a long way to go to achieve that goal, I and people like me across this nation are fighting every day to see that end.”
Do These Viral Postings Make a Difference in Bringing America Together in Its Diversity
Susan Z’s Conclusion:
Absolutely Yes!
Knight of Swords:
This card represents a male energy that is a disruptive force and with control issues. Trump has represented this energy since his campaign for President and statistics have shown open aggression is on the rise since his election.
The Fool: Inverted (Upside Down)
This card represents having trust and faith in new beginnings. Since the card is inverted I feel it shows that even though we are struggling with racism and bigotry, the under lying desire of Americans is that we want a peaceful coexistence.
Ten of Wands:
This card represents a burden being carried in a life situation. I feel it shows this will be a burden that all Americans must bear for a while and to begin to make changes for the better one person and one kind act at a time.
Susan Z Rich is an emotional addiction counselor, spiritual intuitive and holistic therapist. She counsels others to see life in a more positive way and teaches personal accountability for life choices. She is also the author of several children’s books and Soul Windows…Secrets From The Divine.