This past weekend Paris, France lost 129 citizens according to CNN (article title Paris Attacks: what we know so far updated on Nov 17. at 1:30 a.m.) to terror attacks that have prompted support from all around the globe.
Much of this support has been spread through social media by putting a temporary filter of the French flag over your profile picture, most commonly used on Facebook.
Other countries showed their support by putting red, blue and white lights over the country’s famous monument.
Here at Keene State College students have joined in supporting Paris by changing their profile pictures to the French flag, many of our staff included.
Contributed Photo / Mary Curtin
We the Equinox believe that, although we cannot fly to Paris to physically or financially support people by changing something as simple as our profile picture, the action shows the people of Paris that we support them. We believe that although the gesture is small and might never be seen by someone overseas, the fact that the people who are suffering know others care is comforting.
While many have criticized others for not changing their profile pictures or criticized Facebook for not offering Syrian, Mexican or Japanese flags in support of other countries suffering from attacks of terror and natural disasters, we believe that if you are showing that you care and support something or someone you should not be judged for it.
Another thing that comes with rapid sharing and social media is that people get caught up in war hysteria, wondering what’s going to happen next and if it will happen to them.
As featured on our front page, KSC alumni Yann Jules who is from and currently lives in Paris shared his experiences with the attacks. He mentioned visiting one of the places where many had died and people had left flowers, candles and notes.
One of those notes read:
“ If they want to attack us for having drinks, going out and enjoying life, then bring it on. We’ve been training for a while.”
We believe that although these tragedies happen, Americans and students cannot live in fear.
We have to remember that we have military forces trained and ready to take action if a terror attack was to happen on American soil again.
Like we are supporting Paris now, we have to remember that they have been there for us in the past and would be in the future.
The loss of innocent lives is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with the victims of any tragedy that happens anywhere in the world at anytime.