Unity On The Go – Pokemon Go! Unites

Pokémon Go! Unites

This picture does not depict the reality of the Pokémon Go craze.  Nor soes it reveal just how easy it is to see our community join together in even the smallest way. However, let me try to explain.

My 11-year-old son, Zane and I recently took a day trip to Erie, Pennsylvania to visit Presque Isle State Park. We had read that the Perry Monument at Crystal Point was a great place to find rare Pokémon. And Zane was definitely up for the challenge!

When we arrived mid-afternoon, at least 100 people were gathered in the park. They were all walking around searching for rare gems. Within a few minutes of our arrival, a young boy next to the scenic boat tours hut yell out, “Scyther!”

The entire park filled with people shifted about 200 yards in an instant. A few tourists clearly looked shocked. It looked as if the peninsula was being evacuated.

Yes, I did make my way over to catch the swarming green mantis for a prize of 646 CP. I could hear the continuous chatter among strangers discussing what type of balls they were using to catch it. They shared what level they were on and what other creatures they had captured so far that day.

Eventually, everyone started wandering around again, unified in their search for that next great catch. It wasn’t long before an older gentleman, closer to the monument yelled “Magneton!” Next, the entire crowd followed along to the next big find. They moved as one unit with a common goal.

It doesn’t take long to look beyond the game. When you do, it is easy to see the unity among those who are enjoying the hunt. I stood behind a group of people chatting that clearly just met. However, they were clearly brought together because of this virtual world.

Unity in Clear View

For example, at one point in the day, a Muslim family, an African American man, 5 preppy adolescent boys and a few older bearded men wearing NRA t-shirts stood in a circle. They all worked together to find and catch the next rare character. It was quite beautiful to see.

We took over 27,000 steps, all the while, laughing, running. Often times we faced disappointment. For instance, I never did catch the fully evolved Exegguter everyone else caught!

Finally, we returned home to the reality that we must find more ways to come together. Above all, unity is important. Through Pokémon Go!, humanity join forces.

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