Autumn Yi | Staff Writer

Boston has been hit with a terrible tragedy.

On April 15, two bombs went off near the finish line at the Boston Marathon.

The blasts killed three people and injured more than 170.

The bombs were made inside pressure cookers.

Each bomb was packed with nails and shrapnel.

Many runners and bystanders who were hit by the blast had to receive amputations.

President Barrack Obama addressed America on April 16.

He declared that “the American people refuse to be terrorized.”

Not long after the bombing, news emerged of attempted murder on the president and Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi.

Letters were found to contain traces of ricin, a highly toxic chemical.

The atmosphere of fear which gripped America is reminiscent of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut only four months ago.

These events force citizens to ask themselves if they still feel safe in America.

The Boston Marathon was in its 117th year.

A beloved tradition, as citizens from all over the world travel to take part in it.

A marathon is a cause for celebration.

Runners are exerting themselves, spectators are cheering, and the sheer number of people gives a sense of community.

Nobody could have had an idea of the horror which would soon grip Boston.

America does not feel safe anymore.

The incident at the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001 demonstrated that innocent people can die at the hands of religious extremists from across the globe.

Shootings on school campuses have demonstrated that colleges, high schools, or even elementary schools are prime targets for mass murders.

“Stuff like (the Boston bombing) has been happening, and lately it’s been happening more and more” said Riverside City College student Laura Garcia, who says she does not feel safe in America.

It does seem to be happening more and more; from the explosions at the fertilizer plant in Texas to the attacks in Newton, death on a large
scale is everywhere.

With the current fascination of zombies and the apocalypse, it seems as if media has caught on to the frenzied worry of some of the citizens.

Not everyone agrees, however. Bryan Marin, a student from RCC, acknowledges the tragic events but does not feel anxious about them.

“I feel pretty safe, because a lot of these things seem to happen on the East coast.

Usually these things tend to go on at public events and I don’t really have time to do that.

But if I ever move away to a high profile city, I’d be a little scared,” says Marin.

Other RCC students share Marins sentiment.

“You can’t really go around saying, ‘It’s the end of the world! The sky is going to fall.’” Roman Oseguera said.

“You just have to go on with your normal day, and keep going.”