I was just starting the day in my Long Island, New York, preschool on Sept. 11, 2001, when the first attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor. Those planes, those memories shook New York -- shook this country -- to its core, resulting in the largest loss of life by a foreign attack on American soil. On Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, Paris shook as well. She shook with the loss of 136 of her children, with the of occurrence of six separate attacks, with fear for the future.
These attacks on Paris are France's largest threat since World War II and the largest threat in the European Union since 2004. Named by CNN as a "street gang on steroids," the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria took responsibility for the suicide bombings and shootings that occurred in the Parisian streets.
Unfortunately, Paris was not the only country to lose lives. In approximately 24 hours before the attacks on Paris, ISIS carried out another suicide bombing in Beirut, Lebanon. With the lack of recognition (compared to Paris) received by Beirut, it is important to understand the magnitude of this country's loss as well -- 43 people were killed in two bomb blasts, and an estimated 200 to 240 people were injured. Yet many forget that these victims were assassinated just a day before the many Parisians were hours later. We must not lose sight of any lives lost in those 24 hours in Lebanon and Paris, both of the horrifying tragedies.
To those who lost loved ones to the terrorists of ISIS, we stand with you to help you heal your wounds in any way we can, as your sisters and brothers. To those who were injured in the attacks in France and Lebanon, we are here to help you as well, and I (personally) encourage you to share your stories of survival with the world. Sympathy and support should be extended to all affected by the actions of the Islamic State in these last few days. The intensity of the attacks may not have been the same by any stretch, but the magnitude of the loss is an exact match. To ISIS, as a world, we condemn you. To anyone who has been harmed by ISIS, the globe stands next to you no matter where you are from. Offers of hope, recognition and light should be extended to all nations affected by the horrors of the Islamic State, as the loss felt in the end is all equal.
Our world is seemingly falling apart, while doing her best to come together at the same time. She has a way of using these horrifying tragedies as a segue to speeches that preach of unity and comfort in times of need. Now if, only we, her beloved children, could figure out how to listen to her. For now, united we stand against terror, against ISIS, against all odds. We will stand.
