I was born and raised in Pittsburgh. I know what it means to stove my finger and redd up my room. I love Mister Rogers, not just because he was a TV character from my childhood, but because he changed my neighborhood. I always knew Mister Rogers was from Pittsburgh, my city, my neighborhood, even if I didn’t grow up down the street from him. I believed that the lessons he taught and the neighbors he introduced me to, neighbors of color, neighbors with disabilities, neighbors who were different from me, were actually my neighbors and people I may meet one day. Mister Rogers expanded my view of my neighborhood and the world. This past Saturday challenged that belief to the core, as we saw tragedy hit our neighborhood, Mister Rogers neighborhood.
Like most Pittsburghers, I know and love Squirrel Hill, the quiet neighborhood where Saturday’s tragedy occurred. I’ve spent countless hours in the coffee shops and stores on the main street. I went to graduate school about a mile from where the shooting occurred. I know the neighbors of Squirrel Hill, I know the first responders, I know the doctors and nurses caring for the victims. They are my neighbors, this is my city.
The nation watched as Pittsburgh did what we are best at, being neighbors, being helpers. Every first responder in the county showed up to help, every neighbor available was there in the cold and rain to lend support, every Pittsburgher was affected by this horrible act of hate and violence. And from what I know about us, what Mister Rogers taught me, is that we will not stand for this, not in our neighborhood not in our world.
As we begin to process the devastation of what happened Saturday morning, of the loss and shock we are all feeling, remember it is important now to allow yourself to feel the pain. We must allow the emotions, the pain, so that we can eventually process the grief of what we have experienced. We must continue to do what we are good at, being there for each other, being good neighbors.
We will not allow hate to win, we are the Steel City known for our Steel Curtain, and I challenge all of us to use that famous Pittsburgh Steel Curtain to stop the hate.
If you, or someone you know, need extra support right now we are here for you. Congruence Counseling is offering free grief sessions this week for anyone affected. Contact us, we’re here to help, we are your neighbors and we will get through this…together.
By Katherine Biggs, MSCP