What are you supposed to do as you watch news reports about bombs and shootings resulting in deaths and injuries? Specifically, when France endured these terrible terrorist attacks as the world watched in disbelief. Some people don't think they can have a voice in the situation. Even though some people can't really make an impact, they want to show their respect. People are doing this by using the hashtag #PrayForParis, or praying in church. Even celebrities are stopping concerts to take a moment of silence. Another outlet for this kind of action was provided by Facebook. Facebook created a temporary filter you can apply to your profile picture that displays the French flag.
When I saw that this was an option I thought it was great. However, in one of my classes we had a debate about why some people don't agree with changing your picture to this filter. People who think changing the filter is a good thing say it shows respect and sends condolences to France. It also comforts the people who weren't impacted directly by these attacks because it brings us into a community. The other side argues that the filter is only temporary and after a week we will all forget about what happened and move on. They also argue that the French may never see that we changed our picture and that it really doesn't do anything to help.
I understand both sides of the argument and I do not in any way think that if someone didn't change their picture that they have no soul or don't care about what happened in France. However, I did change my picture before our class had this debate and I didn't take it down afterward. Maybe my picture won't make much of a difference or maybe someone in France will see it and be upset that all I did was change my profile picture.
Although my profile picture probably will never be seen by anyone directly impacted by these attacks and will eventually go back to normal, I will still remember what happened to this country. I will continue to pray for them because I would hope that if this happened to me, I would find comfort in the fact that people around the world are supporting my country and are praying for us in our time of need.
