Today, I awoke to the CNN notification of an attack in Brussels. At the specific time, I had no idea what happened, I just knew something was not right in the world. After my class, more information was released and I could eventually try to understand the events. My heart goes out to all the victims and the family members who have been affected by this devastating attack on simply ordinary people. People who had absolutely nothing to do with terrorist groups. In the aftermath of the Paris attacks, Charlie Hebdo, and even September 11th, I ask, when will it stop? All of these events are still very fresh in our minds even if they occurred over 10 years ago. They all still have an effect on our lives and the manner in which society operates.
One of my earliest memories from my childhood was watching the September 11th coverage on the news. I will never be able to forget the moment when I looked through the rocking chair handle bars to see the clip of the towers falling. Now, why is it that our generation has these specific memories of horrific events logged into our minds. As far as I am concerned, that is an awful environment to grow up in. I have no complaints as to the society I was raised in, but I do not know anything differently. I was, we were raised in the era when airport security is a huge deal when you need a passport to go to Canada, and go through metal detectors at museums. I was raised in an environment and time period where there was and is always a constant fear of the unknown. I find it terribly sad that this is the way we have to live our lives. And honestly, this terrorist behavior will not cease by tomorrow morning.
Source: http://www.aei.org/publication/blog/foreign-and-defense-policy/
But it’s not just attacks on innocent civilians. There are attacks on historical structures and just culture in general. One of my Art History professors once made a comment I will never forget, “I do not understand how human beings can build such elaborate, detailed structures, and then destroy them as well.” I wish there was a response to the phrase, but wouldn’t you think that this barbaric behavior would have evolved out of people. Why is it part of our daily life that attacks on purely innocent people and inanimate objects are part of our daily life? What is actually so threatening about some columns or someone like me sitting behind my computer: nothing. Is it really just an ego boost and a way to flash power because that is utterly pathetic. I have had enough of these devastating tragedies influencing our lives, and the way our memories form. We only have so much time on this planet, it is not worth any amount to treat innocent people with such violent disrespect.
As I finish writing my entry, I get another CNN notification that the death toll was increased. When will this stop?