The best and worst of cell phone videos

Published 7:13 pm Friday, May 5, 2017

When it comes to cell phone videos, sometimes these little films remind me of the famous line in Charles Dicken’s novel, “A Tale of Two Cities” — “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

Surely most of us have seen the horrible actions that have taken place on several of the airlines recently, thanks to individuals sharing them on social media and television networks airing them.

It is disgusting and violent behavior displayed for the entire world to see.

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And then, of course, there are the cell phone videos that have captured beatings and even killings, some of which have been racially motivated.

All of these recorded displays of behavior are a terrible blight on humanity, and I am left wondering what has become of the world, until that is, I saw a cell phone recording aired on NBC Monday morning.

A family from Texas, who had been trying to escape this past weekend’s wicked weather that took the lives of 15 people across 15 states, was in their vehicle when it overturned and floodwater began to rush in.

The family of four was all trapped and both children, one of whom was only 18 months old, were in child restraint seats.

Things looked ominous until a group of strangers decided to help.

On the video that was televised on the news, you could see several men wade out to the couple’s black truck.

One of the rescuers yells out that he needs a knife and another makes a move toward higher ground to find one.

Apparently, the men who were helping needed something sharp to cut the seat belt straps from around the restraint seats the couple’s two young children were in.

Once cut, a child was pulled free and then the second, but unfortunately, she was limp and unconscious.

In the background, you could hear a woman say she would pray as one of the rescuers apparently began to administer mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Miraculously, as was recorded, someone was heard saying the child was breathing.

This dramatic rescue recorded on someone’s cell phone and shared on social media was certainly a tearjerker for me.

But in addition to the dramatic event, something else struck me as I watched.

The men who aided the couple were comprised of three ethnic groups, white, black and Hispanic.

This was a fine example and proved to me that when we all work together, good things happen.

There are certainly plenty of moments shared demonstrating the worst of times, I just wish there were more highlighting the best of times.

Terri Cowart Frazier is a staff writer for The Vicksburg Post. You may reach her at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.

About Terri Cowart Frazier

Terri Frazier was born in Cleveland. Shortly afterward, the family moved to Vicksburg. She is a part-time reporter at The Vicksburg Post and is the editor of the Vicksburg Living Magazine, which has been awarded First Place by the Mississippi Press Association. She has also been the recipient of a First Place award in the MPA’s Better Newspaper Contest’s editorial division for the “Best Feature Story.”

Terri graduated from Warren Central High School and Mississippi State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations.

Prior to coming to work at The Post a little more than 10 years ago, she did some freelancing at the Jackson Free Press. But for most of her life, she enjoyed being a full-time stay at home mom.

Terri is a member of the Crawford Street United Methodist Church. She is a lifetime member of the Vicksburg Junior Auxiliary and is a past member of the Sampler Antique Club and Town and Country Garden Club. She is married to Dr. Walter Frazier.

“From staying informed with local governmental issues to hearing the stories of its people, a hometown newspaper is vital to a community. I have felt privileged to be part of a dedicated team at The Post throughout my tenure and hope that with theirs and with local support, I will be able to continue to grow and hone in on my skills as I help share the stories in Vicksburg. When asked what I like most about my job, my answer is always ‘the people.’

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