It is an unfortunate situation (and in need of correction), where it takes dastardly attacks on a Western area of the world for people to pay more attention to issues, and for a hashtag to elicit change.
This week the world was wrought with a reality that other nations are only far too familiar with — or that our own nation chooses to sweep under the rug.
Many places in the world face devastating terror attacks, but it was the multiple terrorist attacks in Paris this past Friday, November 13th, that shook the Western world. Many have compared the upset to that of New York’s 9/11, but others hope to remind the world this is a regular occurrence in many Middle East states and elsewhere; when it is covered, there is concern but no more than it is simply part of the international news cycle. It is beautiful to see the masses of people putting their hearts with the people of Paris, but let us not forget the people of Lebanon who lost people in their own set of suicide bombings by the IS militant group (ISIS). Or the people in Syria who deal with bombing and airstrikes more and more. Let us be reminded of a global consciousness where an interest needs to be taken in the world as a whole not just what affects us. #PrayForTheWorld #PrayForPeace
University of Missouri has been ridden with racist violence and harassment for too long and began protesting on a larger scale recently. Students and professors are fearful and do not have any sense of sanctuary on a campus they should be able to call their home. The screaming of racial slurs, the use of cotton balls “as a prank,” swastikas, threats, and the ignorance/lack of action from now-former President Tim Wolfe (Wolfe recently resigned after demands from protesters) are all the motivators of this cry for change. The protests have grown exponentially with many professors canceling class, the football staff supporting the protesting of African American players to not play until certain demands are met, the hunger strike of a student, and the overwhelming support other campuses are giving toward Mizzou. Any rumors of protesters being upset about Paris media coverage, I only hope is false slander, as these are times to come together -- not be divisive. #ConcernedStudent1950 #Mizzou
The G-20 Summit, started in 1999, is the meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from 19 different countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States of America) and the European Union or EU. Its goal is to monitor the global economy and issues that may affect it. With Turkey at the helm of this year's summit, it will undoubtedly center on the crisis involving Turkey, Syria, and IS (Islamic State). The refugee crisis will take center stage as many countries have agreed to take in X amount and given the suspicion of one Parisian terrorist to have gotten through to the country as a refugee. A full schedule can be found here. But at the time of this writing, the group pledged a "renewed fight against" IS enemies, according to Al-jazeera. This can hopefully be a place where the "solidarity" declared by President Obama with France, can be had with many other in-need countries. #G20 #G20Turkey
Here's hoping all of these situations will develop into a lesson of the betterment of our global community.
Thoughts and prayers to all affected by these tragedies.
