Sadness. Anger. Frustration. Confusion. Mourning. These are probably just a few of the emotions being felt by millions around the world after the ISIS terrorist attacks on Paris, the worst attack on the country since World War II.

These attacks on heavily populated public places such as the Stade de France during an international soccer match and the Bataclan Concert Hall during a sold-out concert were premeditated and orchestrated.

The attacks resulted in the deaths of at least 127 people, the injuries of hundreds, the emotional scarring of thousands and the outrage of millions around the world.

The attacks, committed on Friday, Nov. 13, at places such as a friendly soccer match and a concert of a band whose lead singer was recently quoted as saying, “We kind of have a rule with Eagles of Death Metal that it’s the fun show and we want everyone to belong,” have a huge psychological effect.

What will it take to stop such attacks from happening in the future? What makes a person want to commit such an atrocious act? There are many questions being asked and some just do not seem to have an answer.

French President Francois Hollande has already deemed the attacks an act of war against France and vows to strike back. President Barack Obama has pledged support to France. European countries are tightening borders or closing them and martial law was in effect in the country of France during and after the attacks.

ISIS has effectively put the country of France, the continent of Europe and the world as a whole into a frenzy. ISIS claims these suicide bombings are the “first of the storm.” They want war and it seems that they are going to get war.

Tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims in France and other European countries will no doubt come to a head and one can only hope no more violence occurs on the streets of Paris.

We can argue if war should happen, we can use social media to show our support for France, we can debate the details of what should happen in the aftermath of the attacks, we can argue if France could have prevented or stopped the attacks. Whatever we choose to do, some sort of action must be taken against ISIS. They are strong. They have a global presence. And, they are capable of striking fear into the hearts of millions. But, they are nothing compared to the united and vengeful alliance of those that they have wronged, and it is high time they are done away with.

For now, we should mourn. We should send our prayers, our good thoughts and our support.

We should honor and remember those who lost their lives and pray for those who lost a loved one or friend.

As our world leaders are saying, we are all in Paris and stand with the French. As social media users are saying, we should #PrayforParis. And as the Eagles of Death Metal would say, we should promote “Peace, Love, Death Metal.”

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer. They are not directly the opinions of The Slate, its staff or Shippensburg University as a whole. Concerns or letters to the editor can be sent to shipspeaks@gmail.com.

Share