In the wake of the Brussels terrorist attacks, people all over the world are struggling to determine how to react. “Should I be afraid?” “Is my city next?” If the members of ISIL had a say in how you answered those questions, they would absolutely be saying, “YES!” I’m here to tell you, the answer is no.
If you look at ISIL recruitment propaganda, you will see one message reiterated through each and every one: “We will win this; we are the stronger force.” It’s important to recognize the cold, hard truth: ISIL can’t win, but we can lose. ISIL will continue to plan and execute attacks, that is guaranteed, but what matters is how we respond. ISIL’s goal is to make us afraid to the point that we disrupt our daily lives. Don’t give in; instead, make yourself aware.
Fact: The damage done by terrorism is primarily emotional. Even if no physical damage is done, the simple fact that it could’ve happened is enough to scare the world into a frenzy. It’s key to not let this happen. Instead of being afraid to hop on the subway the next day, learn to watch for the signs. Instead of staring at your cell phone on your fifteen minute ride, be aware of your surroundings. Look for the person acting suspiciously or the bag that’s been left unattended. If we join together, there’s a possibility of preventing heinous acts. Even one attack stopped is enough to change the status quo.
Fact: Muslims are not the enemy. One of the biggest problems seen in this fight against ISIL is the isolation we afford to the Muslim community. Isolation is what causes one to feel like they are not worth anything and pushes them to feel the need to join a group where they feel they will belong and be a part of something bigger than themselves. The hard truth to swallow is that any one of us is vulnerable to the manipulation ISIL participates in. Everyone feels lonely at one point or another; instead of being focused on hate and prejudice, engage others. What many people don’t know is that most Muslims loathe ISIL more than we do – to associate them with ISIL is a harsh disregard of reality. If Americans would not be so afraid of Muslims, we would know this. I urge you to, at the least, try to understand and be aware of the Muslim community.
Along the same lines of the isolation of Muslims is the way we treat many of our peers. As stated before, ISIL plays on the feelings of those who feel isolated. This is to thank for the “lone wolf” phenomenon; that is, many of the attacks are carried out by one person or a small group of people who felt a call to action. If we paid more attention to our fellow peers, more attacks could be prevented. It seems like every day we see someone committing an act of domestic terrorism, whether it be a bombing or a mass shooting, but we never ask ourselves what could’ve been done to help these people before they felt the need to take it one step too far. It’s time to learn from these events instead of being afraid of the next one. Instead of ignoring the person who is struggling with something, talk to them. You’d be surprised how much one person reaching out to listen can affect someone.
The most important thing to do is keep things in perspective. We live in a time ruled by social media where it’s easy to believe the first thing you read. The media relentlessly engages in fear mongering to keep you coming back for more. Disengage for a while and focus on the important things: family, school, work, friends, religion. Stay attuned with what is going on in the world, but don’t let it consume you. You’re far more likely to die in a car accident than in a terrorist attack.
It’s unnecessary to stay inside, locked and loaded, afraid of what’s going to happen next. At the same time, carrying on pretending that there isn’t a real threat out there is foolish. The goal is to find the happy medium – be aware of your surroundings and the feelings of people around you, but never be afraid to do what you want to do. Take a break from social media, especially the news, if you start to feel like the threat is knocking at your back door (because I can almost promise you that it’s not). Reach out to those who are struggling. Terrorism may be a rampant force, but with the right mix of awareness and compassion, it will never win.
