The Bowdoin Orient

My brain has yet to appropriately label the state that last night’s events have put me in.

On the night of Friday, November 13, multiple attacks occurred in Paris. The numbers as of now indicate that there were over 300 injured and 129 killed. The majority of the casualities occured at Bataclan, a theatre in the 11th arrondisement where three shooters killed 89 people during a concert. Eight attackers are dead.

The capital first declared “Plan Blanc” and Parisian hospitals began their emergency procedures.

In his televised address, French President Francois Hollande stated two main decisions that were made to respond to the situation.

Firstly, a state of emergency was declared throughout the French territory. Implications of this condition include more authority given to prefects, who now can establish curfews, close off theatres and public places, order police searches without a warrant, and take all necessary measures to control the media. This state can last up to 12 days, after which it can only be lengthened by the creation of a law via the Parliament. Secondly, Hollande announced that the French borders would have heightened security, but would not be fully closed.

Additionally, 1,500 soldiers were deployed to Paris. Hollande closed on a call to compassion and solidarity, as well as unity and calm.

This Friday saw many traumatic events unfold.

On the same day, two suicide bombings occurred in Beirut, Lebanon, killing at least 40 people and wounding over 200. Two attacks occurred in Baghdad, killing 26 and injuring at least 40 more. 

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) took responsibility for the attacks in Paris, Beirut and Baghdad.

I do not usually define myself by my nationality, but events like these remind me of the privileges, responsibilities and ties I have with France. In fact, quite selfishly, the events in France were particularly troubling to me. The closing off of borders had not been put in place in France since the Second World War, and although a state of emergency has been declared once in my lifetime (during the 2005 riots, only in specific areas), only now am I aware of the nature of conditions it imposes on the citizens’ everyday life and do I see that, if in the wrong hands, it could be applied very subjectively. Part of me is also anxious that, especially in the midst of regional elections, some may jump to discriminatory conclusion such as blaming refugees, immigrants or all Muslim people for the attacks. As Dan Holloway tweeted, “Do you not realize these are the people the refugees are trying to run away from..?”

Yet, I am also reminded that this event is not only about France. To quote President Barack Obama, this was an attack on “all of humanity and the universal values we share.” The many statements of solidarity from leaders throughout the world confirm this message. The overwhelming support on social media, from the posts hastaged #PrayersForParis to #PorteOuverte (Parisians offering shelter to those in need after the attacks via Twitter), supports this message.

The other attacks only reinforce this point: the only efficient way to respond to those attacks is with humanity and application of our universal values. Hatred and division is exactly what terrorists seek: to put it simply, they divide to conquer. Only if we realize that our humanity unites us naturally will we have a chance against terrorist threats worldwide.

Thank you to all of you who sought to learn about the events, shared on social media, talked with your friends, supported your fellow students, and had a thought for the victims. No matter how small your interaction with these events has been, your impact was gratefully appreciated by people very tied to them. Dialogue, whatever form it takes, about the terrorist attacks, the Syrian War and other current events is essential to find a solution to them.

Salomé Lepez Da Silva Duarte is a member of the class of 2019.