It’s hard to comprehend the kind of evil that takes place every single day. It’s impossible to understand the senseless violence that plagues our world, riddles our countries, and infiltrates our streets, neighborhoods and families. It’s terrifying to think that at any moment the next attack could be in your country, in your city, with your people.
On Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, the city of Paris and the world were left in utter disbelief after terrorist attacks that killed at least 129 people. As we tuned into our televisions and refreshed our Twitter feeds we asked how could this happen? What kind of world do we live in? Can we ever be safe?
An act of terror, like the ones in Paris on Friday night, and the ones on Sept. 11, 2001, and the ones that take place on small and large scales across globe every single day, are attacks on freedom. Terrorist groups (those that I will not fame through mentioning their name) thrive off our human nature to be afraid. They want fear to paralyze us, but what terrorists do not seem to understand is that their actions do the exact opposite. We will not be coerced or intimidated, and their twisted goals cannot and never will be obtained so long as democracy rules the free world. As horrible as it is, tragedy brings us together. It fuels our fire to put an end to the organizations and the people responsible for killing innocent civilians.
The aftermath of the Paris attacks calls for the mourning of the victims and remembering their stories. It calls for acknowledgement of French resilience and the ability for people worldwide to send their unwavering support. It calls for international attention and collaboration to end a growing issue.
To honor these victims and all those that came before them it is not only an obligation but a duty for democracies everywhere to work to put a definite end to this terrorist organization.
I am confident that we can only be victorious because in the end the city of lights, the spirit of the French people, and the collective love of freedom can never be darkened.
