Je Suis Charlie

I wanted to put in a word or two of mine in about the event that took place in Paris last Wednesday.

The violence that took place is inexcusable, and no, I'm not putting a blame for what was done on the religion of Islam at all. I recognize that there is a clear split between those apart of the religion that believe this sort of action is not apart of the Islamic values and detest that there is a portion of believers that practice it and ones that believe it to be right and just. 

But I didn't want to talk too much about this messy part of the issue. I want to speak of the outcome.  

It's incredible to see the global aftermath of the tragedy that occurred, with people from all different backgrounds coming together to support the freedom of speech and expression of France and the arts combined. It's a movement of peaceful ways with pencils raised and the brilliant thought that one pencil broken can be turned into two. The reaction that occurred gives me the hope that for every bad person there is in this world, there are thousands of others that are just the opposite who are willing to fight for others freedoms and people who can recognize that just because the event didn't happen anywhere close to them, it can hit just as close to home as someone in Paris who personally knew the victims.

I could wish all day for killings all over the world to come to a halt and that we would all view each other as equal and love and cherish everyone for who they are, but I know that this won't happen. I could wish that people would recognize that others are going to have differing opinions on subjects regarding the world and life to come and that that's okay because their views cannot alter yours as long as you don't allow them to, but I know that this won't happen. 

What I do know is that from what I've seen come out of this event, we have the ability to unite a great majority of the world based on some basic set of human values, whatever those may be. I know that out in the universe, others share these views of mine and want to do something about it, but can't as one small person. That's exactly why it's important to stand up and unite with those around you to see the change you want to be made, preferably in a peaceful way. And I know that others in this universe aren't going to agree with these views I share with you today, and that's okay. Whatever you believe, I hope you recognize that reacting with violence to a situation only makes the outcome ten times worse. Words are a powerful weapon in the process of achieving peace, which is why it's really cool to see "Je Suis Charlie" circling the Internet. 

As much as I'd like to keep wishing, I'm afraid the world is running scarcely low on magic. 

My thoughts go out to the loved ones of the victims involved in the Paris shooting. The world has lost several more creative sparks.

-Belle xx