Friday the 13th of November marked a horrid time for not just France but the whole world. The city of Paris was the target of eight terrorists who killed 128 individuals and injured hundreds more with explosive belts, AK-47s and other automatic guns in six separate locations. It marked the worst bloodshed on France's soil since the second World War. The world mourns.
Despite the tragedy, though, Parisians are fighting fear by continuing their everyday life.
Cafe employees are brewing, wine glasses are being cheered and individuals are returning to work and school. Though tensions are high and guards are up, they try to continue their everyday life as to not encourage ISIS in its ultimate goal which is fear and terror. The citizens of France won't live in fear — they will continue to be free.
When asked why Parisians find it important to "fight the terrorists" by continuing everyday life by PBS, Amber Delmedia, a civilian of Paris, said, "Because to show that they didn’t win — they didn’t win, and that we are not scared." She said this while having a drink with her co-worker, Orian Lahcene, after work.
"I’m not saying that I was apprehensive on Monday to go to work," Lahcene said. "But then I thought about it. If it has to happen to me, it will happen to me. Whatever happens, whether I’m here or there or anywhere, it could happen to me anywhere. I’m going to continue living, just as I used to."
Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical magazine, saw terrorism itself just this past January as the staff of the magazine were targeted by ISIS. The shooting left 12 victims dead as the terrorists were offended by cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad.
Again, despite the past couple terrorist attacks, Charlie Hebdo revealed a new magazine cover that says, "They got the weapons — Screw them, we got the champagne!" following the Paris attacks.
Charlie Hebdo's managing editor Laurent "Riss" Sourisseau wrote in an editorial, "Blood and tears, prophesied Churchill. That's where we are. Without realizing it, the Parisians of 2015 have sort of become the Londoners of 1940, determined not to yield, neither to fear nor to resignation, whatever catches them off guard."
The Parisians continuing their everyday lives despite circumstances may be something that we all need to do every day. Stress will occur and skepticism, too, but what is life if we live in fear? As Lahcene said, "If it has to happen to me, it will happen to me."
We as human beings need to wake up and stop dreading living. We are justifying living in fear as fine despite the thought it could "happen to me." You never know — nobody, usually, does.
This world is a scary place. Just the past couple of weeks we have seen Paris lose the lives of 128 and the wounding of 352 others due to ISIS. We have seen Beirut lose the lives of 41 and the wounding of 200 others due to ISIS. We have seen Baghdad lose the lives of 26 due to ISIS. We have seen Mexico lose thousands of homes due to Hurricane Patricia. We have seen Yola lose the lives of 32 lives and the wounding of 80 others due to Boko Haram militants. And, unfortunately, there have been many more tragedies.
We need not give terrorists the glory of having us live in fear, worried to live the normal daily routine. Doubtfulness will run through most individuals' minds, of course, but that should not overwhelm you. Do not let it swallow you in grief. Do not feel that you cannot escape the trap of death.
Because, well, in the end, no one escapes death.
Now I'm not undermining any of these situations by any means. I grieve with what the world has endured. These abhorrent, devastating tragedies are unjust. They are attacks on humanity. As an aspiring journalist, I try to articulate words to fully express how I feel. But with this topic, words simply can't justify.
Continue to worry for humanity, continue to be aware, continue to stand with other individuals who had to, unfortunately, endeavor these horrible tragedies. But do not let the actions of these bastards take over your own life.
"I’m going to continue living, just as I used to."
