Sorting Through a Global Tragedy

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of days, by now, you should have heard something about the attacks on Paris, Beirut, and numerous other cities around the world. I’m sure you’ve been bombarded with others’ opinions on the matter regarding how we should react, how France should respond, what Obama should do, etc., but have you really sat down and allotted yourself time to develop your own beliefs? Whether the attacks affected you or someone you personally know or not, it’s completely natural to not really know what to feel. There is a plethora of emotions and ideas running rampant, and it’s okay to need to sort those out.

Parisians mourn the loss of their friends and family via candlelight vigils focused at the multiple sites where the attacks took place around the city.

Through Facebook and Twitter, you’ve no doubt seen and read all the rumors and prejudicial statements being posted and shared, and it makes you start to question and reconsider what you initially heard or believed in. I cannot tell you how many paranoid posts I’ve scrolled past just this week alone; good people and even personal friends of mine are jumping to irrational conclusions and posting things I know they wouldn’t even think to themselves if they had their wits about them. Unfortunately, in many of these posts, I’ve noticed a common theme: discrimination and unjust bias. Everyone is trying to make sense of a tragedy in the best way they know how and figuring out who to blame is usually one of the first steps. However, pointing fingers at an entire demographic or religious group of people is NEVER the answer.

The attacks on Paris were (and still are) front and center regarding news coverage from all around the world. Beirut and a few of the other cities that endured similar attacks within the past couple of weeks voiced their criticism of the rest of the world for not publicizing/sympathizing with their tragedies.

An estimated 23% of the world’s population identifies as Muslim, which is equivalent to more than 1.6 billion people. Just here in the United States, there are almost 7 million citizens who practice Islamic teachings and traditions. Is it fair to label them all as terroritsts, especially for the actions of a minute sliver of their population? No. In fact, only about .00625% (yes, you read that right) of the world’s Muslim population is directly affiliated with the Islamic State, otherwise known as ISIS. To assign all of the blame to the followers of an otherwise relatively peaceful religion is ridiculous. Every group has its radicals and sometimes these extremists go to terrifying lengths, ultimately tainting the group’s image. Is ISIS dangerous? Absolutely–but do their actions reflect the entire Muslim population’s beliefs and wishes? Not even close.

Did you know that the root word of  “Islam” is “salam,” meaning “peace?” Also, like Christianity and Judaism, Islam is a monotheistic religion and recognizes many of the same prophets such as Moses and Abraham.

Here at Kent State, we have a pretty diverse student body that includes students and faculty members of all different races, ethnicities, religious backgrounds, etc. The Muslim population of our campus has a strong foothold within Kent and runs a successful branch of the student organization called the Muslim Student Association, in which the ultimate goal is to patch the disconnect between Muslim students and non-Muslim students and provide the platform for which these conversations can take place. Unfortunately, by stereotyping this whole group, not only are we isolating these students and giving them and their organization reason to feel excluded, but we are also backtracking on all the progress our school has made regarding acceptance and even tolerance. Our differences should be welcomed and celebrated, not looked down upon and rejected out of fear for what we don’t understand or agree upon.

Kent State has been acknowledged and even awarded multiple times for its diversity in the past, proving our university is accepting of students from all different walks of life. 

In regards to the attacks on Paris, I think I can speak for almost everyone when I say that it was absolutely heartbreaking to read and hear about. We can go over the logistics and analyze the situation with a fine-tooth comb, but in the end, we’ll still be wondering why it had to come to that level of violence, brutality, and just plain disregard for innocent human lives. There are lots of lingering questions circulating, and some may never be answered. However, one thing’s certain: the attacks arose out of intolerance for a different moral code–one that comes naturally to most human beings and is considered universal. Not every victim was French or even Christian, which backs up what Obama said in his statement about the tragedy. President Obama called out ISIS, saying that their actions didn’t target one specific group or nationality, but all of humanity. Because of this, we should be able to find a common ground no matter what race you are, religion you practice, or country you come from. Now more than ever is a time to unite, instead of falling apart because of misled accusations formed out of panic and pain.

Throughout these past couple of days, I’ve decided the best advice I’ve been given and can pass on is that you cannot let fear cloud your judgment or twist your perception. All we can do now is show compassion and respect to those affected by these acts of terrorism and eventually move forward. At the very least, keep all of the targeted cities and their many victims in your thoughts and/or prayers.

Grafitti tributes to the victims as well as the city in general can be found all over Paris, but especially in the Place de la Republique like the one pictured above.

If you’re wondering how you can get involved, there are multiple ways we can help out the victims in Paris and/or support those directly aiding them. Find out how by clicking here.

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• paris
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