With the horrific terrorist attack that happened in Paris, France, it is hard not to be scared that something like this might happen close by. Especially with a refugee crisis happening, it is hard for some U.S. citizens to look at this positively and not out of fear. When I first heard of the attacks and even the video that surfaced insinuating New York City – the city I go to school in – was next, I couldn't help but feel frightened for both my life as well as my family members who go to work, school, or even live in the city. It's hard to imagine another terrorist threat is possible especially after the worst terrorist attack 14 years ago: September 11, 2001.
I know myself, as well as many of my peers, feel frightened that our lives, as well as so many other American lives, may be at risk, but by thinking this, we are only giving these terrible people the reaction they want.
ISIS wants to elicit fear among the people of the world so that they can feel superior. They want us to not live our lives and live in submission so that they can take over and continue to force us to live in fear with them in power. They perform these vicious acts and continue their threats so that we will forever be on edge, waiting for something to happen. Ever since 9/11 occurred, America has become very protective over its citizens, increasing security in the hopes of avoiding a repeat of that horrific event. After 9/11 our country united together in a way that made every American feel proud, and although we may not always be able to predict any heinous attack, we are better prepared now than we were 14 years ago.
But, for the time being, before ISIS is completely wiped off the earth, we must accept the fact that not every person in the world is good, and that the devil walks among us in the form of terrorism. However, we cannot live in fear of going out and doing the things we love or cancel the plans we have made. If you want to go into New York City, go into New York City and enjoy yourself. If you want to go to Europe to see the world, go right ahead and do it. Living in fear is not living at all. Living in fear is giving in to the evil. It is giving them permission to control our lives and hindering us from growing and becoming worldly people. They are preventing us from meeting new people and learning about different cultures because we are too afraid of the world to do so.
We need to remain strong and united, striving for peace in the world, and to live our lives as we wish. We cannot live in submission. We need to eliminate the evil that took so many precious lives away. For the families and the countries affected, we need to stand strong.
