Tragedy works in two ways.
It can either bring people together or force them apart. The terrorist attack in Brussels, Belgium, Tuesday shows the latter of the two.
In the wake of that attack, thousands have called for justice to be served for the 30 people killed and 230 wounded. However, some of those who are all for justice blame an entire religion as the cause of the bombing. They spread hate and anger onto innocent people who are victims just like everyone else.
Instead of lashing out in blind anger, people should band together to support the global community in any way they can. After the Paris attacks last year, Facebook was full of profile pictures incorporating the French flag and people posted support through their feeds. While it may seem silly to some, these actions are raising awareness.
People should feel free to share stories and posts that inform friends about the ongoing investigation into the identities of the bombers, three of which are dead and two who are still unknown according to CNN”s update Thursday afternoon.
Beyond that, students can educate themselves and others about the larger picture that leads to attacks like the one in Brussels. According to CNN, ISIS and other organizations affiliated with ISIS have conducted nearly 75 terrorist attacks in 20 countries other than Iraq and Syria since the Islamic State declared its caliphate in June 2014.
Not only are major world powers being targeted, but smaller nations are also suffering at the hands of radical organizations like ISIS.
While it might not seem like students in rural northern Idaho have a lot of influence over a global crisis, there is tremendous power in being able to educate others. Before making blind assumptions, research Islam. Research different ideologies that branch from the main religion. Research the formation behind ISIS and the political and socioeconomic climates in Middle Eastern countries. Being informed and informing others is a powerful thing and can help eliminate blind prejudices.
It”s also important to remember that spreading information isn”t the same as sharing hateful opinions. Just because one radical faction of a religion attacked allies in France and Belgium, with many more suspected attacks to occur throughout Europe, it isn”t fair to needlessly assign blame and hate to anyone who practices the religion.
A person”s religion does not define who they are. Not every Muslim is a terrorist. Not every terrorist is a Muslim. People in Ireland have been called terrorists because of the bombings of English train stations. Our fight, our anger, is toward the radicals who only wish to spread fear and hatred.
It”s easy to hate when we don”t know the faces of those on the other side. It”s easy to hate what we don”t know – what we fear.
Hate is easy. Compassion and understanding is much more difficult.
– CW