海角大神

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Perceptions of a major power鈥檚 actions matter every bit as much as the actions鈥� real intent.聽

A hallmark of authoritarian behavior is the shuttering of a free press. One year ahead of elections, outlets in Phnom Penh are disappearing.聽

When hurricane Irene raced up the East Coast six years ago, the storm delivered its biggest punch to the tiny state of Vermont. Floods destroyed more than 1,000 homes, 500 miles of roads, and 200 bridges. It was the state鈥檚 worst disaster since 1927. Much of the repair work is now complete. Yet the Green Mountain State still keeps alive one special experience. Many residents have used the Aug. 28 anniversary to celebrate 鈥� and expand 鈥� both the community spirit that brought them together and the resilience for recovery and rejuvenation.

For Americans hunkered down for hurricane Irma, Vermont鈥檚 post-Irene commemorations and celebrations provide an opportunity in practical gratitude for the redemptive value of social kindness during a disaster.

In Vermont鈥檚 White River Valley, for example, a recent 鈥渞esilience festival鈥� offered food, fun, a 5K run, tree planting, and new ways for people to volunteer in the community. People that play together will bounce back better from adversity, organizers said. The town of Bethel now holds an annual 鈥減op-up university鈥� in which local people can teach courses. The aim is to create a more vibrant and connected community. And the state government still sells license plates that read 鈥淰ermont Strong.鈥�

Other places have learned to reinforce qualities of character needed during a tragedy. In the rebuilding of lower Manhattan after 9/11, New York highlighted the heroic efforts of first responders. For the 10th anniversary of hurricane Katrina in 2015, New Orleans sponsored a 鈥渞esilience festival鈥� that included brass bands, dancing, singing, and plenty of official thank-yous for the thousands of volunteers who helped the city recover.

Almost every disaster offers a learning curve, usually for government in ensuring better preparation in physical infrastructure and emergency response. After the devastation of hurricane Andrew in 1992, for example, Florida vastly improved its ability to respond to storm damage and in warning residents when to evacuate. Yet often overlooked is the need to build a community鈥檚 togetherness, or the social capital that comes in handy during a major crisis.

Government cannot be the only responder. For Vermont鈥檚 2016 commemoration of its post-Irene experience, then-Gov. Peter Shumlin said it took 鈥渆ndless people鈥� with goodwill to rebuild the state and leave it in better shape. To get through a disaster, communities must have a pre-positioned social web of empathy. And one way to nurture that web is to celebrate, out of gratitude, the empathy already expressed during a previous crisis.