Being Numb About Paris Shouldn't Be Excuse For Stupidity

The tragedy of violence in Paris does have a numbing effect, as did 9/11 in NYC. We're always shocked about the death and suffering of innocents and heroes. But this statement comes with some realities and contradictions. One of the realities is that others are suffering and being killed every day throughout the world.  Bombings from suicide vests, missiles, planes and drones are a way of life and death in parts of the world. Sides don't really matter. Death has no allegiance. Death doesn't care about sides or political positions.

Death and injuries do instill fear however and sometimes fear impacts how we think or what we believe. This is not only the point of terrorism, it's the point of violence in general. So now, Europe and America struggle with policies and political reactions. Values that are centuries old are suddenly questioned and there are reactionary responses to refugees and migrants. Values like opening arms and borders to the politically oppressed or those suffering from the brutality of war or the poor and hungry go quickly by the wayside. People, politicians especially, speaking before thinking or checking the facts, stoking fear and in many cases hatred. The reality is that currently Syrian refugees are going through an 18-24 month vetting process while some make arguments about the outrage of their entry across America's borders. None of the same politicians are talking about the thousands of tourists and businesspeople who fly and sail to America every day or the Visa program that allows many across borders. Classes of people continue to matter.

There is the other very harsh reality. We have been engaged in war for 14 years and all the things we've tried have not worked - soldiers on the ground, drones in the sky, etc. Yet now, we somehow think that more of the same will solve the problems we've seen and that we have. There are so many experts and critics pointing out failed policies but not providing useful solutions. No one seems to be looking at or caring about where the violence is coming from or why it exists. Instead we follow the same course or call for more military action that in the end creates and fosters more radical responses from some in the Mideast.

The numbness from violent attacks on people makes us crazy and sometimes stupid. We all have to fight that instinct. We have to be smarter about our reactions. We have to think about our own ancestors, their plights and their journeys across seas. We have to think about the reasons for war and the injustices that create the environment for war. We have to protect values that are dear to us through dialogue. We have to keep working for peace even while we're numb from continued violence and death.