An immortal quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" during his First Inaugural Address. Given the circumstance, the United States was undergoing a series of major political and economic issues, most importantly noted: The Great Depression.
It was at this time that FDR realized the importance in providing the nation with the reassurance that everything will be okay. What strikes me, is the long-lasting applicability of this quote to our current world crisis.
Recently, as I'm sure you know, the Brussels airport was attacked by members of ISIS with homemade explosives that contained nails and sharp objects with the intention to kill a mass group of people. To say the least, I was an absolute wreck hearing about yet another attack on groups of innocent people. Naturally, my initial reaction was bursting into tears and feeling a surge of anger and frustration over the continuance of terrorist attacks and worldwide warfare.
A friend and I had planned on traveling to the Brussels airport the next day. The next day. We were terrified. We cancelled our flights and booked one right back to our study abroad location in Rome.
However, what I have seen throughout various European countries throughout my travels is bravery. No, not people taking a stand and confronting members of ISIS face to face, but simply moving on. Yes, moving on. Why? Because they do not fear anything but fear itself. Same with most countries in the world, people realize the importance of continuing on with their daily lives and being grateful for what they have. They do not go throughout their day living in fear because they understand that anything can happen at any given time, anywhere. That is precisely what is pivotal in proving to these monsters that we will not let them constitute our lives and we will not let them take away our freedom to live the way we want to live.
Prior to the Brussels attacks, the Paris attacks had a profound effect on countries worldwide as well. Once again, however, people realized that all there is to be afraid of in life is the constant worrying and fear that it could happen again. Yes, these attacks clearly can happen again but we can only do so much to prevent it. They are becoming a matter of not if but when the next attacks will be. As humans of society, it is up to us to prove that life does go on and we are not afraid to go to our 9-5 and continue on with our daily routines.
Anything can happen, anything is possible. What should not happen, is letting these foul humans take away our freedom and dignity. We will persevere and we will not be afraid.
