Today, I am writing my article for this week with a heavy heart. I woke up this morning to the news that EgyptAir Flight #804 plunged into the Mediterranean Sea while I was sleeping, with 66 passengers onboard.
While the cause is unknown at this time, most analysts and investigators are suggesting yet another act of terrorism.
For a lot of us, this doesn't come as a surprise, seeing as offenses like this have become a part of daily discussion, both on television and media, and at home.
I find myself at a loss for words that I could possibly offer in condolences to the families of the victims if I had the opportunity, and while I sit safely at my table in Starbucks, I almost feel guilty for the fortunate life that I've had. For those who know me, you might know that one of goals in life is to pursue a career with counterterrorism, hopefully inflicting a positive change on the world. I'm here to offer what I can in remembrance of all of the lives lost through today's and past tragedies, though minuscule in comparison of what they deserve.
I'm using the wonderful platform of The Odyssey today not to display my own intentions though, but to encourage everyone who reads the news headlines about terrorist attacks to not be apathetic towards the words they see on their screen, especially my fellow millennial generation.
Why the millennials?
Because this is the world we are inheriting, the world that is being left in our hands. If we all ignore the signs of the almost insuperable fate of humanity, our neglect will cause us to fall. Us as in those who need help, those whose voices we cannot hear, us as in those living a content mindset thinking bad things can't hurt us at home. I've heard some folks argue that these are the most violent times the planet has seen, and while this might be true, we must still continue to fight by at least being aware if nothing else. Those before us have built for themselves and future generations a strong nation who perseveres in the face of adversity, and we need to carry on and preserve for not only them, but ourselves and our future generations.
I've had conversations with others my age who've plainly stated they don't care about terrorism acts that have been and are being committed, and while I try to allow myself to be open-minded to everyone having their opinion, I find myself in awe of their pretentious lack of concern.
Remember 9/11?
This can happen to anyone, the United States included.
We are not entitled to safety more than any other nation or group of people. I've found terrorism to be blind in who the target is, because while several groups state who they intended to hurt, people have found themselves affected regardless of general political or religious affiliation.
No matter what political party you favor, we all need to wake up and realize that acts such as these aren't going to stop themselves. Follow the news and choose the presidential candidate who you believe will best lead and repair our country, working alongside other nations in securing a safer world for all of us.
Let's stop believing we are so entitled to complaints if we are unwilling to strive for the change we want.
