My heart is breaking, as is the world. During times like these I am at a loss for words. This is not merely because evil is so pervasive and people who should not be suffering are -- but because this global mourning that should have been happening already has been sparked from one instance of violence that the media has selectively reported on.
My awareness of what is going on in the world has been brought about by articles with headlines that say "Do not forget about...," not by my own competency in tragedies across the world.
There is a hugely disproportionate rate of media attention toward the terrorist attacks that are happening all around us. I do not say this to demean or belittle what happened in Paris -- my heart aches for the victims and their families. I say this because I am disappointed in both myself and the media. I am disappointed in myself for not being more aware. I am disappointed in the media for being selective.
No one life should matter more than another. None of these events should be compared. Certainly, none of these events should be utilized to tell marginalized groups about how "grateful" they should be.
I cannot only stand for one country when another is being brutalized at the same time. That simply feels morally corrupt to me. We have to care about all of the world; we have to care about each other. We cannot be so selective as the media; we have to break those boundaries.
It should not take one tragedy for us to become aware of countless others. It should not take tragedies for us to realize we need to care about the world around us. This world is hurting. It is already so wounded. I am still in a state of disbelief at the blatant disregard for human life -- at the pain and suffering so many innocent people have to endure. I am angry with the world. I am angry at myself.
I am angry with what could happen to those who will be discriminated against as a result of a thoughtless group that could not possibly represent an entire group of people. I am angry at the cowardice of people who blame refugees for what is happening now. We cannot let these attacks define how we think of others.
I stand with the world.
