I came home Tuesday afternoon from a busy day at work, changed into some comfier clothing, and took a bite out of a juicy peach I had just bought at the farmers market. Life was good.
I sat down on the couch, put my feet up on the coffee table and turned on the TV. I was planning on watching Tiny Houses, or Say Yes To the Dress; some TLC brain numbing afternoon show. Yet to my surprise CNN Breaking News popped up first instead. Breaking news all right.
The bottom of the screen read, “Istanbul bombing 36 dead, 147 wounded.” I blinked twice to make sure what I read was accurate. It was. Even though I was the only one home at the time I said out loud, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” My dog looked up at me with a blank expression on her face; this was real yet again. I was furious and at a complete loss for words that just weeks after the Orlando attack, there was another. But, it's beginning to not be a surprise at all yet something we are all becoming accustomed to; as bad as that may sound.
I hate that I’m writing about this. I hate that our world is giving me a reason to write an article on terrorist attacks. Terrorist attacks. I hate saying that, let alone writing it. What about the good, like restrooms being made for the homeless, or Calvin Klein's first plus size model, or Hawaii being the first state to place gun owners in a database? Go Hawaii. But unfortunately, all of the good in the world is being pushed down the ladder as the bad keeps climbing higher.
Three suicide bombers attack Ataturk International airport. Attackers set off bombs, opened fire with AK 47’s, and then detonated themselves. It's all a typical Isis move. We can set a bunch of gun laws, ban muslims from entering the US, or even build a damn wall, but that isn't going to stop them. They will find another way to get armed weapons, climb the wall, (if you will) and figure out an alternative plan.
We know these attacks are going to happen because they are happening. Right now. Homeland Security states that 72% of Americans anticipate future terror attacks while 75% believe that they are inevitable. But what are we doing to stop them?
I’ve done the research and here's the scary part. Terrorists main goal is to make the biggest impact of casualties so that it attracts the largest amount of attention. For example, San Bernardino, Paris, Turkey, etc. They are looking for places with crowds and low security such as a nightclub, cafes, airports, train stations, what have you. I just watched CNN news say, “They have been known to go after tourists in populated tourists attractions.” Simply put, they are going after Americans.
It’s been too close to home before in San Bernardino when I was in the middle of the semester at the University of Redlands. A terrorist attack broke out eight miles from campus. I remember like it was yesterday, walking (running) back from class to stay in my dorm room as the university had requested. Luckily my roommate and I had cable which allowed me to keep up with everything going on. I sat in my room all day and night looking out the window and following the news. It all seemed so surreal.
The reality of it being so close to home really hit me; that could've been me. It could’ve been someone I love just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet, if there’s one thing I can try and persuade people to do is not live their life in fear. We cannot go day to day worrying that another attack is going to happen, because unfortunately it is inevitable. We have to learn how to deal with it if it does because as horrible as it may seem, this is life. First and foremost we need to be aware of our surroundings more than what is up and what is down. Just as they say at every airport, “If you see something, say something.” Even if it is a false alarm, it's always better safe than sorry. If your instincts tell you something is out of the ordinary, it probably is. We have to learn to trust our gut and get out of problematic situations.
I will be studying abroad in Europe come fall and to say I’m nervous might as well be an understatement with as many terrorist attacks that have occurred just this year. Seeing the news say, "Americans not advised to travel" is making me panic. I already know I’m going to stick out like a sore thumb wearing running shoes, speaking English, and attending all of the most famous tourists attractions. I might as well have a sticker on my back that reads, “Hello, I’m a tourist from America.” So, with this in mind I am going to try my hardest to dress the part, (at least) learn the language (to the best of my ability) so that my english accent doesn't draw any more attention than it already does, and try and fit into the culture even in the slightest. Or maybe I’ll just go to Canada, haven't decided yet.
Simply put, I’m disappointed in the world. Besides Canada, no one can be disappointed in them. We aren't as safe as we used to be. We can’t just hitchhike off the side of the road, wear our shoes through airport security, and feel safe anywhere anymore. So two questions remain – when will we be able to feel secure again? And is it really that difficult not to viciously murder people? Cut the shit Isis, Im tired of people dying.
The next day the television screen read, "Death rises to 42, with 239 injured."
