The events in
Paris... I shudder to think of those poor, ordinary, innocent people going
about their daily business, enjoying their Friday night not knowing the
brutality that was about to ensue.
What I know some
friends are pointing out, however, is that this display of aggressive action by
so-called-ISIS is a daily occurrence for those living in Syria and other parts
of the Middle East. For these people, the sound and threat of bombs, gunfire
and general violence is normality not anomaly. Indeed, they have endured five
years of this.
In a bid to
prevent the inevitable right-wing attempt to use the attacks to fuel
anti-immigration / anti-refugee policies and also the media's exclusive
focus on Paris I'd like to encourage as many of my friends to share articles
highlighting the shared story of ALL victims of ISIS, whether from Europe, the Middle
East or beyond. And where possible donate money or materials (even if you can
only spare a small amount!) to the UN Refugee Agency or other charities. (Does
anyone have any thoughts on which agency might be the most effective to
support?)
This is not to
demote the French experience. We should continue to mourn the loss of life
there yesterday but stress the solidarity between these victims and those of
the Middle East. How is the Syrian trying to break across borders in order to
get away from ISIS violence in his homeland any different from the Parisian
escaping through windows at the Bataclan? By helping and sympathising with ALL
innocent victims across the world, not just those closest to home, we have the
best strategy for undermining so-called-ISIS.
Donations:
http://donate.unhcr.org/international/syria
An example of
the equally worthy headlines being neglected by the BBC and media for focus on
France:
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/dozens-dead-isil-claims-attacks-iraqi-shias-151113165046854.html
