Responding to Terrorism with Love
Juliet Morris
Heart breaking images of the innocent victims. Trembling phone videos of the aftermath of the attack. Disapproval from world leaders. This pattern has become much too familiar in recent months. But I believe that the best and most important response we can give to hate and terrorism, is love, compassion and unity with the members of our community.
On the 22 May 2017, Salman Ramadan Abedi detonated a homemade bomb at the exit of Manchester Arena, after Ariana Grande’s concert . 23 children and parents were killed. The citizens of Manchester responded to this attack with love and unity. Mancunians responded to the terror attack by offering help to those affected using the hashtag “#RoomsForManchester” across various social media platforms, such as Twitter and Instagram. Many offered homes to stay in, free taxi services or simply a cup of tea to victims. In the city’s most tragic hours, the citizens of Manchester were there for those in need and really proved themselves to be a strong and tight-knit community. Hotels even offered free rooms and businesses in the city centre stayed open to offer shelter.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch said that love and compassion are the best responses to terrorism, when she responded to the terror attack on her LGBT+ community at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
If we respond with love, we are required to think of the terrorist as a person. Although their actions are extremely hateful, we must understand that this has come from a place of pain. And if we, as a community, are able to come together, those who are in painful situations will not be hopeless anymore. If everyone in our community feels loved and valued, we will be able to work together and help to prevent devastating situations from occurring.
When responding with unity, we bring together all members of our wonderfully diverse community, regardless of their differences. We should all be proud of our diverse community and learn from each other.
On the 22 May 2017, Salman Ramadan Abedi detonated a homemade bomb at the exit of Manchester Arena, after Ariana Grande’s concert . 23 children and parents were killed. The citizens of Manchester responded to this attack with love and unity. Mancunians responded to the terror attack by offering help to those affected using the hashtag “#RoomsForManchester” across various social media platforms, such as Twitter and Instagram. Many offered homes to stay in, free taxi services or simply a cup of tea to victims. In the city’s most tragic hours, the citizens of Manchester were there for those in need and really proved themselves to be a strong and tight-knit community. Hotels even offered free rooms and businesses in the city centre stayed open to offer shelter.
Attorney General Loretta Lynch said that love and compassion are the best responses to terrorism, when she responded to the terror attack on her LGBT+ community at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
If we respond with love, we are required to think of the terrorist as a person. Although their actions are extremely hateful, we must understand that this has come from a place of pain. And if we, as a community, are able to come together, those who are in painful situations will not be hopeless anymore. If everyone in our community feels loved and valued, we will be able to work together and help to prevent devastating situations from occurring.
When responding with unity, we bring together all members of our wonderfully diverse community, regardless of their differences. We should all be proud of our diverse community and learn from each other.
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