In Response to the Paris Attacks
- Krista Avila | Editor-in-Chief
- Nov 17, 2015
- 7 min read
I've had a very hard time figuring out how to address what happened in Paris. Especially when I was feeling so many emotions, just like everybody else. I didn't want to speak/write out of anger. Out of sadness. But I wanted to find the best way to honor the victims of the many terrorist attacks that have been taking place.
I want to make it clear, that these are my own thoughts and opinions, and I write editorially. They may not reflect the opinions of my entire staff.
As my workday ended at school on Friday, I picked up my phone and opened up Buzzfeed, and to my dismay, it was tarnished with attrocity and terrorism. In case you have been under a rock for the past few days, ISIS attacked six different locations in Paris and killed over 120 people. It has been deemed an ACT OF WAR, and a warning to all other countries who are "like" Paris.
Of course, my newsfeed on Facebook has mostly been #PrayersforParis and #WeAreNotAfraid and #WeStandWithParis. But amidst all of this, there has also been quite a bit of bigoted discussion regarding the terrorist attacks. I'm sure they are more than well intentioned, but they are also very ignorant. Here is how you actually show your support to Paris, without ignorance.
Before I get really into this post, I first want to apologize if I come off as "PREACHY." I began this post last night (actually Friday night, and here we are Monday evening), and I was angry, and upset, and sad. And of course, with writing being my outlet, my emotions were reflective. And I edited. And edited. And slept on it. Edited. Ate. Edited. And finally, I'm just moving forward. So, if anybody feels like they are personally being "targeted" just remember, I wrote this post without you in mind, but none-the-less, I apoligize you feel this way.
1. Stop Blaming Religion
Blaming religion does exactly what ISIS wants us to do, so you are simply obeying orders. ISIS has already claimed they want us divided. They want us as a world to rise up against peole of the Islamic faith. They want war, and in doing so, they will make you hate Muslims. And we need to remember that we can only overcome terrorism through love.
Of course, we all know ISIS claims themselves to be followers of the Isamic faith. I think the majority of us understand that what ISIS stands for is not Islam. In fact, Islam is a very peaceful and tolerant religion. I don't want to go into more detail about the Islamic faith, but I do want people to know it doesn't promote terrorism or violence of any sort. There are extremists in all religions. Some feel Christianity feuls sexism and racism. And of course, we all know this isn't true. There are just some really terrible people who claim themselves to be Christian. In fact the KKK claim themselves to be Christian with good wholesome traditional values. But we do not target all Christians. We all need to learn and understand that there are just really terrible people who claim themselves to be Islam. Hating religion, fighting people's right to find meaning, and being intolerant to various religion is ignorant on your part.
2. Stop Using This As An Example For Your Own Political Agenda
I've seen some posts that use this incident as a way to say, "See, this is why we need to have the right to bear arms!"
This isn't about having a discussion about gun control, nor is it the time. Their lives and this violence shouldn't be used to further enforce your political agenda. Claiming, that you yourself wouldn't have been a victim because "You would have shot the fucker down before they could take anyone else," is selfish. You weren't the victim. Hundreds of other people were the victims, and pitting yourself as the victim who should have their right to do whatever, is undermining the lives lost. Maybe later on, there will be a time to talk about what could have been done and gun control or lack of gun control and whatnot. But now is the time to simply honor the victims, and not use them for political gain or prove a political point.
3. Stop Blaming the Victims
Ever since European countries began opening their doors to refugees, we have heard this talk about allowing the terrorists in. And of course, they are not being quiet about their "warnings." As a woman, I know we live in a culture that is largely "Victim Blaming" so it doens't surprise me when something like this happens, and we blame the victims themselves. I'm not necessarily talking about those that died Friday. I'm speaking of those refugees who have been fleeing this type of terrorism. We have to be reminded why we as human beings opened our doors and demanded that our leaders allow for refugees (these victims) to come through.
So many of us opened our doors to our own homes to accommodate refugees. It kills me, evertime I see that infamous photo of the effects of terrorism and war. It brings me to tears even as I write this. To think about the terror they felt to a point to flee and risk (and ultimately lose) their lives is the worst in humanity I have seen in my almost 30 years of living. And to turn so easily because we're emotional about something they've been feeling for years...it breaks my heart.
These refugees are the victims. They have been victim to terrorism, some their entire lives. Why would we turn our back on them now? Why now, when we have a glimpse of what they have been fleeing would we say "No more," to them? Blaming them, for something that has been happening to them for the past few years brings no solution. It took a little boy washed up ashore dead to convince a world to open their doors. How many more children is it going to take...again? And yet, we have bigoted people controlling our government and our decisions with ridiculous laws "Banning immigrants," and "No more refugees."
4. Stop Fighting Terrorism with Terrorism
I understand Paris and Russia have been taking initiative in bombing Syria. And there are many sides that need to be addressed in these events. But I'm talking about the terrorism that you can see taking shape here, and being committed by ourselves. I myself feel anger, but before anger, we should feel sympathy. Walking into class today, I heard many of my students talking about World War III with such enthusiasm. Alot of talk and even excitement regarding going to war with ISIS to fight terrorism. It has to be said: bombing another country is terrorism. Mass shootings is terrorism. Airstrikes are terrorism. Regardless of who's doing it and what their reasons are. Our western lives are no more important than a Middle Eastern life.
I read an article that was about the fact that terrorism will always be around. I apologize for not being able to find the link. I'm not completely willing to accept this idea. Because I hear the comments like this regarding racism and sexism. When I start to get passionate and upset, people's way to ultimately "shut me down" is "It's never going to go away." So what? We should simply sit idly by? Of course not! But fighting sexism with sexism isn't going to solve anything. We organize. We stand together in solidarity. We reach our hands out to each other and stand up to those threatening our right to live happily. But the way to do it is not through more violence. Hearing political leaders and potential political leaders claiming "They'll bomb the shit out of Syria," isn't something we should be praising. Love and acceptance needs to overcome hatred. Maybe I'm wrong, and I'm not a genius when it comes to politics and I never read War & Peace, but it just doesn't feel right in my heart to fight violence with more violence.
5. Stop Forgetting the Terrorism Happening Across the World
This goes back to reminding everybody what Syrian refugees are actually fleeing from. And it's also important to remember that the bombs they've seen dropped on their homes has not just been from ISIS. Not a week goes by where I haven't read at least once about a sucide bomber killing XX amount of people. And it is terribly sad to see that the only time we really pay attention to it is when it happens to a non-Middle Eastern country. This mentality furthers the idea that Middle Easterns and Muslims ultimately deserve to be the victims of terrorism. This idea that "They make that choice to be Muslim," and ultimately to fall victim to terrorism (?). Of course this isn't the case! The world shouldn't just stop when a non-Middle Eastern country experiences terrorism. We should be mourning every day for the countless acts of terrorism happening across the world.
So many of my own students always ask me how they can help. "How can we stop this from happening? What can I do?" Knowledge and education are some of the most powerful tools anybody can use:
1. Do not categorize all Muslims as terrorists, and do not support or even allow this type of talk. It's okay to correct somebody. It's okay when someone says that ISIS is Muslim, to say, "Actually, they're not, they only claim themselves to be."
2. There are plenty of organizations that need plenty of help and funding to help the victims, not just of the attacks in Paris, but elsewhere.
If you know of more organizations that are reaching out, please feel free to comment, or leave us a message or comment on our facebook page.
3. Have open discussions about what ignorance looks like. It's easy to get caught up in ourselves and make this attack about us. So, instead of allowing for such discussions, open up about the actual victims.
4. Don't underestimate the power in numbers. ISIS and terrorism may seem infinite and a never ending battle,. But the power of love, humanity, and sympathy will always overcome hatred. It's been shown in history over and over.
5. Do not be fearful. Continue showing your support, whether it be through social media posts, art, blogs, etc. Part of what ISIS is fighting is Freedom of Speech. Being stifled only gives them satisfaction.
by Jean Jullien
