Paris

I wonder sometimes what kind of world I'm bringing Xander up in. A world where people go to a rock concert and get shot by terrorists. A world where just going out to a cafe at the wrong time could mean the end of your life. Its a world where people are afraid to go outside in case they are the next number in a headline. This "war on Terror" is so different to any other war because its not a war that's fought on battlefields, but one that's fought anywhere at anytime. Worse than that though is the effect it has on peoples mind.  Each attack seems to bring out the racist in people. I've already seen posts on Facebook where the main gist of them is "see, told you those refugees were terrorists!". That kind of thinking, to me, is worse than a zealot with a gun.  Because that has a longer effect and a bigger impact on society than a bullet ever will. It leads to a kind of world were people are judged by the colour of their skin not by who they really are. Its makes us a world of darkness and hatred, and its not who we should be. It's not the kind of world I want for my son.
If you read this and you remember only one thing, let it be this. Life goes on. If you change the way you think, if you decide to change your holiday destination because the place you were going to might be too dangerous now, then they have won. Don't change. Your neighbor is still the nice man who gives you a smile when he passes you in the street. Just because his skin is darker doesn't mean he is a bad person now.  We have to believe there are good people in the world. people who will help their fellow man and will do what they can to help others. if we don't, if we give in to hatred and violence then we have already lost. Tonight, Paris will mourn. Somewhere else, others will celebrate their "victory". The next battle will begin tomorrow, in your hearts and minds. Stay strong. Don't give in.