Grief

Grief is exhausting and the informed and empathetic are tired; the madness must stop. Anyone who checked trending tags on social media Nov. 13 was suddenly jolted with the reality that the world can be incredibly cruel.
After countless news reports and updated Facebook profile pictures, it could no longer be ignored — something was wrong. Terrorism by the Islamic State resonates with Americans on an unimaginable scale, and the events in Paris that left 130 dead and hundreds more wounded that day were a terrible wake up call.
The self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has claimed responsibility for the acts of terrorism Nov. 13, which included three explosions near the Stade de France. These atrocities were in retaliation to the bombings of Syria by both France and America, according to CNN.
In a televised address Nov. 18 the President of France, Francois Hollande, said the attacks were an act of war by ISIL and that his nation will be in a state of emergency for the next three months. Considering that France is America’s oldest ally, our nation must stand behind France’s decisions.
Grounding troops is never an easy decision. The saying, “putting boots on the ground” does not capture the true act of taking military men and women away from their families, putting them in terrible environments and asking them to commit murder. While war may not be the answer many people choose, it is one of our only options. In this time of hardship and loss, it is sickening to see people add to the problems with more violent and judgmental acts towards fellow Americans..
Labeling all people who follow Islam — one of the most popular religions in the world — as the enemy will only create fear and spread hate. One must also acknowledge the pain often forgotten about in other places, while remembering that American friends and allies should be at the forefront of our support.
The United States can defeat the enemy while remaining civil and help build the French up without turning its back on the rest of the world. But, Americans first must remember to cherish each other and not to take one day for granted, because one does not know when such harsh realities will reappear.