There are times when I feel that the atmosphere in Buffalo has definitely changed from before.

It is because of the horrific shooting that occurred in May 2022, which many people still remember.

On that day, people were at the supermarket shopping. Then, an 18-year-old young man appeared with a gun and started shooting at people for no reason. Ten people lost their lives on the spot, and several others were injured. All of them were Black residents, and it was revealed that the perpetrator committed the crime with racist motives.

Since that day, Buffalo has become a place not just a city, but a place where wounds, anger, and voices for change coexist.

The incident took place at a supermarket located in the eastern part of Buffalo, an area with a large Black population. However, the supermarket closed for a while after the incident, causing greater inconvenience for the residents. It was not just a single store closing; it was as if the center of the local community had collapsed. Therefore, local organizations and volunteers operated programs to distribute groceries, and residents even opened a temporary market to supply food.

The people of Buffalo will never forget that incident. Memorial events for the victims of that day continue every year, and murals and sculptures honoring them have been erected in the city center. It carries the meaning of a commitment not just to sadness, but to ensure that such an event never happens again.

The perpetrator was sentenced to life in prison, but the wounds in people's hearts have not yet healed. Especially after that day, the citizens of Buffalo began to feel the word 'safety' in a completely different way. They realized how precious the ordinary moments of going to the supermarket, meeting friends, and buying coffee were, which they had previously taken for granted.

This incident also revealed the structural issues in Buffalo. The gap between the east and west sides of the city, economic inequality between races, and long-standing residential segregation issues remain unresolved challenges. Areas with a high concentration of Black residents have relatively high poverty rates and lower access to schools and hospitals. This creates a vicious cycle where they are vulnerable to crime and the community becomes increasingly marginalized.

However, paradoxically, movements to correct these issues have intensified since the incident. The city government and local organizations have come together to start a campaign to create a 'safer and more equitable Buffalo.'

Since that incident, Buffalo has strengthened its security systems. Surveillance cameras and security personnel have increased in supermarkets, churches, and public buildings, and citizen safety education has expanded. Schools are running programs to teach students about the dangers of hate crimes and the value of diversity. And the most important change is in people's attitudes. Now, the people of Buffalo see their neighbors' faces more often, ask about each other's well-being, and have a greater desire to participate in community gatherings. The awareness that "we must look out for each other to be safe" has emerged.

After experiencing the pain of the incident, a stronger sense of community spirit has developed. While walking along the river, you can still hear the laughter of children, and in the summer, music flows from the canal side. Citizens continue to trust each other. But in the back of their minds, there is always the commitment that "our city must never experience such an event again."

Now, Buffalo does not want to be simply called 'the city where the shooting happened.' Rather, it is moving towards becoming a stronger and warmer city, using that wound as a turning point.

The people here say, "Buffalo is a city where you can feel the warmth of humanity even in the cold snow." Just like that saying, this city is still in the process of recovery.