Why Paris Matters
In the days following the horrific terrorist attack in Paris, I’ve seen an uncomfortable amount of backlash against those showing their support for Paris.
The sentiment isn’t totally nonsensical, it is true that we are bringing so much attention to this occurrence in Paris, yet we ignore all the atrocities in other parts of the world, notably in Beirut, Baghdad, and Kenya (in April, when 147 were killed at a University).
Then there is the complaint that makes less sense, that we are, once again, mourning the loss of white people; white people who have historically colonized and murdered countless people of color, while we ignore the murders of non-white people. Of course racism plays a part in unequal media coverage and public concern, but it is absurd to say that we shouldn’t mourn the loss, injuries, and trauma of today’s Parisians because of racist and horrific acts politicians made with no connection to the everyday citizens of Paris – particularly the young, progressive Parisians targeted by the attacks. That would be like blaming German millennials, many of whom I befriended in my Asia travels, for the horrific acts of two generations before them. Nonsensical.
Then there is the very real issue of France’s airstrikes in Syria following the Paris terrorist attacks. But regardless of whether you support the military action of France as a country, you can still support and mourn the victims of terrorism in Paris, and recognize the difference in meaning that an attack in Paris has on American society from an attack elsewhere in the world.
The fact is, in a perfect world, we would be equally aware of, shocked by, and passionately distraught over the atrocities in Paris, and in Beirut, and in Baghdad, and in Kenya in April. In a perfect world, Terrorists wouldn’t exist, and we wouldn’t need to be distraught over such atrocities. The reality is, we aren’t shocked when murders happen in parts of the world where we expect (rightfully or not) murders to happen. The reality is, Paris matters because this was the worst terrorist attack in Western Europe in 11 years. The reality is, for those who live in the relative safe comfort of America, Paris feels a lot closer to home than Beirut does, and an attack on Paris is as shocking as if an attack were to hit us, again. The reality is, Paris is an international symbol of light, of magic, of prosperity, of romance, of sophisticated thought and culture, and when Paris is attacked, even those in Beirut were shocked and saddened. Paris is a symbol beloved by the world, and that symbol was hurt. Things like this aren’t “supposed” to happen in Paris.
Things like this aren’t “supposed” to happen anywhere. All the lives lost around the world to terrorism are devastating and heartbreaking. Parisian lives are just as valuable as Lebanese lives or Syrian lives or any lives. But Paris is special, and those who change their profile pictures to the French flag shouldn’t be shamed for doing so, or shamed for connecting more with Paris than with Beirut. That’s life. If only we could stop trying to “out-liberal” each other, we could focus on educating each other without tearing each other down. There is plenty of room in our hearts to support Paris deeply in their time of loss, and room to still be saddened over the lives lost in Beirut and around the world. Let’s just try out empathy over accusation.
For a very powerful and sad piece from the perspective of someone in Beirut, please read: From Beirut, This Is Paris: In A World That Doesn’t Care About Arab Lives