“Does this darkness have a name? This cruelty, this hatred, how did it find us? Did it steal into our lives or did we seek it out and embrace it? What happened to us that we now send our children into the world like we send young men to war, hoping for their safe return, but knowing that some would be lost along the way. When did we lose our way? Consumed by the shadows, swallowed whole by the darkness.
Does this darkness have a name?
Is it your name?”
Every time tragedy strikes not only our nation, but another, I post this very quote…almost every single time.
But why?
We long to live in a world where peace will fulfill our ears and hearts, and that we’ll never have to walk streets of our hometown and fear for our lives. Everyday kids are spent off to school and parents spend the day of edge thinking and hoping that they’ll be able to tuck their kids in at night. On the other hand, nations are in fear of terrorist attacks that have the momentum to erase our entire world, in which we call home.
But yet, while our social media fills with support for those who were affected by the attacks on Paris, people still display hate. I understand that it angers others when support is shown for one event but how dare you sit on your phones and your computers, and not unite in support. For as long as I could remember, our nation struggled in recognition for others, but now, in 2015, all our our hearts are one. When one nation falls in a time of devastation, we fall together. Isn’t that what America is supposed to be?
We sit in our homes and recognize that others have experienced a dramatic moment, in which, they’ll have nightmares about for the rest of their life.
These innocent people will have flashbacks of the bombings and attacks, when they walk past a specific spot in their country or see a picture or smell something in the air. All in the while, we sit in our homes safe and sound, with the ability to see another day. Nothing has been more aggravating to see people I’m friends with on Facebook, either say:
“Black lives matter!”
“White lives matter!”
“Why aren’t you posting about this attack? I’m just gonna sit here and sip my tea!”
Newsflash:
All lives matter and we’ll all sit here and sip our tea because you’re ashamed of others posting their support.
So, what did happen to us? How did the repetition of cruelty and hatred find its way into our daily lives? I’m sad to say this, but for many citizens, the name of darkness is our own name. We have failed to understand each other and realize we are different from one another. Instead of facing our obstacles and issues head on, by talking with one another and coming to terms; we fight with weapons and anger. We are the problem, years we have spent trying to find a solution to worldly events that have killed millions and wonder why our world is filled with hatred towards innocent people.
We are the problem; kindness and understanding is the answer.
As I seen and heard about these tragic events unfold, I hope that one day I’ll be able to help someone in need. Whatever that is, however I help someone, I’ll do it in hopes of inspiring that one person who needs to see kindness in their world. I’d like to consider this my first step in making a difference.
To those lost on Nov. 13 and their family members:
You are in our hearts and prayers.
