Following several recent tragedies that have shaken people around the world, a photo that’s gone viral sends a message of unity and hope.
Deepak Saini took a trip earlier this month to a Target in Kenner, Louisiana, where he snapped a photo of man holding an umbrella over a woman’s head in the rain as she made her way to the car.
The onlooker, who shared the snapshot on Facebook, explained that the simple gesture spoke volumes.
““In that moment, it didn’t matter that he was black and the woman in this picture was white. It was one human helping another,” Saini wrote in his post. “Kindness is something we all need to give to each other right now and let this man be an example.””
Saini explained that the man, who has been identified as James Varnado, actually escorted several shoppers to their cars in the pouring rain with his umbrella. In the process, Varnado got drenched however he continued to help people to their cars and unload their groceries “with a big smile on his face,” Saini told Today.com.
After the shooting deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, as well as the Dallas shooting, he said felt it necessary to post the photo as an example of harmony.
“Now more than ever, we need to heal, love each other, and show the world that we are as great as we want them to believe we are,” Saini told Today.com.
Varnado, who told WGNO that he wasn’t aware his photo had been taken, echoed Saini’s sentiments and urged others to extend a hand to anyone regardless of background.
“People are people. Help. It doesn’t matter who you are. It doesn’t matter what you do. It doesn’t matter if you’re the richest person in the world or the poorest person in the world,” Varnado said, according to WGNO. “Somebody needs help? Help them.”
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