A Reflection
Paris is certainly a beautiful city that brings a wash of pleasant memories whenever I hear the name, but this week the city’s name has brought a much different range of emotions. The terrorist attack appears to have been a catalyst for discussion- including some fairly extreme views- on a range of subjects including the media, terrorism, border protection, Islam and why anyone listens to Andrew Bolt at all. Each of these topics could have been the subject of their own essay (except for the Andrew Bolt thing- that is just a mystery with no explanation) and I have written about several previously, but with so many things in my head I thought I would just outline a few related thoughts that have come to me in wake of the attacks.
Global reaction
Like almost everyone else, I felt a mixture of sadness, anger and impotence at last weeks’ events. Here on the other side of the world, Emma Parkinson’s delightful image puts a local and easily-relatable face to an atrocity I am geographically far removed from. And it is both an atrocity and a tragedy. Neither the heinous actions of the perpetrators, nor the awful impact on victims and their families are in any way diminished by the fact that similar incidents have happened around the world, but garnered less public attention. I have actually been fortunate enough to meet Emma several years ago and couldn’t have been more impressed with the friendly, confident and thoughtful young lady that she was. The thought of this lovely young woman and many like her being targeted is quite awful, but the reality is innocent, wonderful people are often the victims of these attacks, wherever they happen in the world.
The critics
For all the outrage and support that has been expressed in wake of this attack, there have also voices of disdain, mocking the sentiments expressed by others. A number of people have been quick to point out that this is not the only such attack to have been carried out this year- or even this week- suggesting there is a kind of implicit racism to our horror at the Paris attacks and indifference to those in Beirut and elsewhere. To me, this is taking it a bit far. Yes, the attacks that occur regularly in many parts of the world are just as awful, but it would seem that the direct aftermath of an attack is not the time to be scoring political points over this discrepancy. Nothing happening anywhere else makes these attacks any less despicable. If people want to change their profile pictures or pray for the people of Paris, let them. Have the argument about why they don’t care about the rest of the world in a few days’ time. Since that time has now passed, I will make the statement that criticism of the blinkered focus on the Paris attacks is fair, but I think it is an oversimplification to call it racism.
Aside from the fact that people can’t be shocked or saddened about attacks they don’t know any details about, I think the main reason the Paris attack resonated with a Western audience is firstly the implication that a similar attack could happen anywhere. The moment a danger feels closer to you it becomes more relevant and has a greater impact on you. There is nothing racist about that. Secondly, and very sadly, people become a little desensitised to violence in countries where it is common, just as I’m also slightly desensitised to hearing about white Australians dying in car crashes and accidents in Bali.
The Islamaphobes
Predictably, the death toll had not even been finalised and the culprits apprehended, before the debate began. The conservative right were quick to make alarmist and inflammatory statements painting all Muslims and those who are fleeing similar atrocities in their homeland as threats to our safety. In a particularly cynical and tasteless decision, Senator Leyonhelm felt this was a good opportunity to push his anti-gun control agenda.
Waleed Aly
For all the hysterical hot air that was spouted, any chance of these hateful ideologies gaining much traction was blown away by a brilliant speech by Waleed Aly. As I don’t watch his program I was sent the link on Facebook and couldn’t not be impressed. It was a brilliant piece of writing, restrained in its use of rhetoric and emotion, while clearly stating how hysterical knee-jerk reactions serve the interests of ISIS. I have written about Islamaphobia before, as have many others, but it is hard to change someone’s mind if they don’t want to. When Aly delivered his speech, the nation listened and then shared his words. Across the Pacific, Reza Aslan gave a powerful performance when interviewed on CNN, debunking cultural myths and stereotypes that all Muslim countries share the values of ISIS. Comedians, academics and the more eloquent politicians gave a clear message that ISIS does not represent the billion Muslims in the world. The one that I enjoyed the most was the meme that said blaming all Muslims for the Paris attacks is like blaming all musicians for Nickelback.
The threat posed by asylum seekers
Earlier this year I wrote at length about the issue of border security and asylum seekers. My opinion on this has not changed since the Paris attacks. I have admitted that the risk of terrorism could increase, so perhaps we would have to spend more money protecting our country and less on our concentration camps. I won’t give much time to Pauline Hanson and Jacqui Lambie trying to out-stupid each other on this subject, and I wish media outlets would take a similar approach to oxygen-thieves like these. Still, these two morons and their ilk notwithstanding, I have generally been heartened by the volume of intelligent comments I have seen on social media, which show that the message that refugees are fleeing this type of violence themselves is getting through. Either there are less bigots than there used to be, I know less bigots than I used to, or perhaps bigots have learned not to publish easily-refuted slogans outside of the safety of their insular hate sites.
Official French reaction
French authorities have moved quickly and a number of alleged perpetrators and conspirators have been arrested or killed. The French military has also ramped up their bombing missions against ISIS targets, but that raises a few questions. Air offensives have been ongoing against ISIS for several months now. If these were known ISIS targets, why were they left until now unless they were of very low strategic value? I couldn’t help feel like I was watching an angry nation lash out in a show of force designed to sate the publics thirst for action and revenge, instead of strategic strikes against high-value targets designed to weaken ISIS. Against this backdrop of anger in Europe, I was impressed by Francois Hollande’s statement today that France will still accept the 30 000 refugees it has committed to resettle. He probably could have reneged on this if he wanted.
Do I have a central point?
Not really. This was an awful attack, as are all of its ilk. My thoughts are with those who suffered and those who are suffering. Let’s not add to this suffering by laying the blame on Muslims within our own country. Save your anger for those that deserve it.
Global reaction
Like almost everyone else, I felt a mixture of sadness, anger and impotence at last weeks’ events. Here on the other side of the world, Emma Parkinson’s delightful image puts a local and easily-relatable face to an atrocity I am geographically far removed from. And it is both an atrocity and a tragedy. Neither the heinous actions of the perpetrators, nor the awful impact on victims and their families are in any way diminished by the fact that similar incidents have happened around the world, but garnered less public attention. I have actually been fortunate enough to meet Emma several years ago and couldn’t have been more impressed with the friendly, confident and thoughtful young lady that she was. The thought of this lovely young woman and many like her being targeted is quite awful, but the reality is innocent, wonderful people are often the victims of these attacks, wherever they happen in the world.
The critics
For all the outrage and support that has been expressed in wake of this attack, there have also voices of disdain, mocking the sentiments expressed by others. A number of people have been quick to point out that this is not the only such attack to have been carried out this year- or even this week- suggesting there is a kind of implicit racism to our horror at the Paris attacks and indifference to those in Beirut and elsewhere. To me, this is taking it a bit far. Yes, the attacks that occur regularly in many parts of the world are just as awful, but it would seem that the direct aftermath of an attack is not the time to be scoring political points over this discrepancy. Nothing happening anywhere else makes these attacks any less despicable. If people want to change their profile pictures or pray for the people of Paris, let them. Have the argument about why they don’t care about the rest of the world in a few days’ time. Since that time has now passed, I will make the statement that criticism of the blinkered focus on the Paris attacks is fair, but I think it is an oversimplification to call it racism.
Aside from the fact that people can’t be shocked or saddened about attacks they don’t know any details about, I think the main reason the Paris attack resonated with a Western audience is firstly the implication that a similar attack could happen anywhere. The moment a danger feels closer to you it becomes more relevant and has a greater impact on you. There is nothing racist about that. Secondly, and very sadly, people become a little desensitised to violence in countries where it is common, just as I’m also slightly desensitised to hearing about white Australians dying in car crashes and accidents in Bali.
The Islamaphobes
Predictably, the death toll had not even been finalised and the culprits apprehended, before the debate began. The conservative right were quick to make alarmist and inflammatory statements painting all Muslims and those who are fleeing similar atrocities in their homeland as threats to our safety. In a particularly cynical and tasteless decision, Senator Leyonhelm felt this was a good opportunity to push his anti-gun control agenda.
Waleed Aly
For all the hysterical hot air that was spouted, any chance of these hateful ideologies gaining much traction was blown away by a brilliant speech by Waleed Aly. As I don’t watch his program I was sent the link on Facebook and couldn’t not be impressed. It was a brilliant piece of writing, restrained in its use of rhetoric and emotion, while clearly stating how hysterical knee-jerk reactions serve the interests of ISIS. I have written about Islamaphobia before, as have many others, but it is hard to change someone’s mind if they don’t want to. When Aly delivered his speech, the nation listened and then shared his words. Across the Pacific, Reza Aslan gave a powerful performance when interviewed on CNN, debunking cultural myths and stereotypes that all Muslim countries share the values of ISIS. Comedians, academics and the more eloquent politicians gave a clear message that ISIS does not represent the billion Muslims in the world. The one that I enjoyed the most was the meme that said blaming all Muslims for the Paris attacks is like blaming all musicians for Nickelback.
The threat posed by asylum seekers
Earlier this year I wrote at length about the issue of border security and asylum seekers. My opinion on this has not changed since the Paris attacks. I have admitted that the risk of terrorism could increase, so perhaps we would have to spend more money protecting our country and less on our concentration camps. I won’t give much time to Pauline Hanson and Jacqui Lambie trying to out-stupid each other on this subject, and I wish media outlets would take a similar approach to oxygen-thieves like these. Still, these two morons and their ilk notwithstanding, I have generally been heartened by the volume of intelligent comments I have seen on social media, which show that the message that refugees are fleeing this type of violence themselves is getting through. Either there are less bigots than there used to be, I know less bigots than I used to, or perhaps bigots have learned not to publish easily-refuted slogans outside of the safety of their insular hate sites.
Official French reaction
French authorities have moved quickly and a number of alleged perpetrators and conspirators have been arrested or killed. The French military has also ramped up their bombing missions against ISIS targets, but that raises a few questions. Air offensives have been ongoing against ISIS for several months now. If these were known ISIS targets, why were they left until now unless they were of very low strategic value? I couldn’t help feel like I was watching an angry nation lash out in a show of force designed to sate the publics thirst for action and revenge, instead of strategic strikes against high-value targets designed to weaken ISIS. Against this backdrop of anger in Europe, I was impressed by Francois Hollande’s statement today that France will still accept the 30 000 refugees it has committed to resettle. He probably could have reneged on this if he wanted.
Do I have a central point?
Not really. This was an awful attack, as are all of its ilk. My thoughts are with those who suffered and those who are suffering. Let’s not add to this suffering by laying the blame on Muslims within our own country. Save your anger for those that deserve it.