Mourning Europe

By now we all know that more people have died in terrorist attacks in cities other than Paris and we have been encouraged by fair-minded people to consider all victims of terrorist attacks with equal amounts of sympathy and anger as do those in Paris. However, I feel we shouldn't dismiss the uniqueness of the Parisian attacks. There is more shock at the attacks in Paris because it is a famous city in a European country and European countries are, without a doubt, safe. The whole world stood with Paris because Paris is important, culturally, historically and globally. And by virtue of being part of the Western world. People dream of travelling to Paris. Paris is romantic and elegant. And white people are more important than any shade of brown. The Sydney Opera House in Australia lit up the colours of the French flag as did many other monuments around the globe, people changed their Facebook profile pictures and #JeSuisParisien was trending but when is such solidarity shown other than for Western countries?

Source: The Wall Street Journal, http://www.wsj.com/articles/buildings-around-the-world-light-up-in-frances-colors-1447500908, accessed 23/12/2015

Egypt, though not having a perfect record with terrorism in any sense, showed solidarity regardless of political alliances by remembering Lebanon, Russia and France at the same time. The Pyramids, being an ancient historical landmark, makes this display particularly poignant as it reminds us that we all have the same origins, we are human beings and all of our suffering is relevant. 

So why then has the British government has voted to bomb another city full of people simply trying to enjoy their lives, in another country full of history and culture? As I watched the debate and the results of the vote come to light, I felt sick. It was as if everyone who had voted for airstrikes on Raqqa, Syria, was more concerned with Britain's image than the lives of others and eventually ourselves. Some say it is the only choice we have against the threat of Daesh, but there is not clear path to conquering them. London has been attacked before, Paris has been attacked twice in one year, how can we be sure that there will be no repercussions? If we are more civilized than other nations, why can't we think of a better way to interact with them? We know that civilian lives, people's lives, will be lost. At the same time as the European* refugee crisis which is angering so many nationalists, racists and xenophobes across the continent, how can we justify creating more? Will these people thank us for saving them or will they see us as the enemy of peace and fight against us? 

Source: egyptianstreets.com, http://egyptianstreets.com/2015/11/16/egypts-pyramids-light-up-with-flags-of-france-lebanon-and-russia/, accessed 23/12/2015

We still regard other parts of the world as barbaric. We judge them more harshly than Western countries because they're 'less developed'. Their human rights abuses are shocking and disgusting (when there's nothing to be gained from them), but ours are either justified or individual mistakes. This has to change. I think it's time for the West to reflect on its actions and accept responsbility for the lack of compassion its citizens have for citizens of other nations. Muslim girls (i.e. children) and women are being attacked on the street for wearing hijab i.e. for dressing in the way they are comfortable. Even looking like a Muslim (whatever that means) is dangerous. Brown families feel unsafe just because of the colour of their skin. I say again MUSLIMS ARE NOT TERRORISTS. Extremist interpretations of any religion can lead to terrorist acts. Your fellow people are not your enemies

If the Iraq war was a 'mistake', then why repeat it and kill thousands more for the sake of self-image? We are meant to be a democratic nation, one which values the lives and rights of all others and promotes peace. Democratic countries do not fight each other, not because of our values but because it would look bad. Yes, taking in refugees is expensive, so why not afford them the same rights as citizens to allow them to contribute to the economy? War is expensive, but apparently it is also profitable whereas compassion for other human beings is not. How many more Aylans need to drown before Western countries act?

*I specifically say European here because there have been millions of displaced in other regions of the world but their plight is largely ignored by the mass media.