Responses to Friday’s horrific attacks in Paris that killed 129 and injured about 352 have largely been nothing short of amazing. Nations around the world have shown solidarity by lighting monuments in red, white and blue; thousands of social media users expressed support.
In an article posted for the Associated Press, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the popular nightlife spots attacked are places Parisians love, and where they celebrate the city’s diversity. “It is this Paris that was hit. Probably because this example of living together, which is so strong in our city, is unbearable for fanatical people,” she said.
“Parisians expressed shock, disgust and defiance in equal measure. Some areas were quiet, but hundreds queued outside a hospital near the Bataclan concert hall to donate blood. As a shrine of flowers expanded along the sidewalk, a lone guitarist sang John Lennon’s peace ballad ‘Imagine.’”
While the outpouring of love and concern for France has mostly been positive, fear and uncertainty, quite understandable in a situation like this, are also showing up, in some forms uglier than others. Some have used the event to call for the ousting of Syrian refugees from France and other countries, or to blame practitioners of Islam for the heinous acts of a few.
This is a familiar refrain, and it is a mistake. I would argue division from one another, even more than fear, is what groups like the Islamic State want from us. Hate and suspicion breed intolerance and isolation for people who never deserved it- if any of us does- and leads to extremism.
I’m not an authority on terrorism, but it makes a lot of sense to me; one of the lures of groups like the Islamic State, or Boko Haram, or a gang, is a sense of belonging. The most proud and isolated among us longs for that, although many of us would never admit it; that moment of like-mindedness with another person when we realize that our problems and pasts are not so large because we share them with someone else. It is a universal human need. By allowing fear and hatred to take root among us, we not only don’t fix the problem of groups like ISIS, but we probably help to swell their ranks.
I understand the anger and drive to get revenge. I didn’t lose anyone on Sept. 11 or in Paris, but I have been in a position in my life to be a victim of violence, and the longing for revenge was strong. I’ve come to realize, however, that justice and revenge are two different things.
In our longing for justice and resolution, let us see clearly, as clearly as possible, the other humans around us and their pain, and not obscure them in our drive for action and results. A people divided against itself cannot stand.
“The terrorists want to scare us and instill fear..There are reasons to be afraid, but the nation knows how to defend itself and mobilize its forces and how to defeat the terrorists.” -French President Francois Hollande
Thanks for your article Elizabeth, I appreciate the moderate and responsible call to process the problems.
Hollande said Friday’s attacks were “committed by a terrorist army, the Islamic State group, a jihadist army, against France, against the values that we defend everywhere in the world, against what we are: A free country that means something to the whole planet.”
Figuring out how to deal with those you are at war with abroad is one thing, but in your own town, that’s completely different.
Thank you! I like a lot of the responses I’ve heard from the French people re: refugees.
I’m not sure what I think of Hollande’s response in Raqqa. That’s abroad, and yet it seems like a prime situation for collateral damage. Care to weigh in?
Right, Eric. We all have performed horrific acts, and that is no reason not to condemn ISIS and any terrorism, state or individual, localized or international. It may be an expression of deep, frustrated anger. However, I cannot escape the thought that terrorism’s objective is to kill the possibility that we may live in societies that value and practice having fun with each other, sports, comedy, meals, education, parties. Our drones pick out funerals and weddings. Terrorism kills civility. We must not let that did. Eric, your praying through the street as is a wonderful idea. Can we make that interfaith? why not dance through the streets as well as pray, and as we pray, if that’s your thing. Perhaps God is saying, “Lighten up.”
Tom, go pick on someone else, geez man, always a critique from you.