“That’s the Way the World Works”

But is it really?

I’m so tired, so tired of it all. Waking up each morning to go to a school I feel I don’t belong in. Suiting up, mask and all. Spending another day pretending to care about economics or the concept of “success” the school envisions.

Another day where we will pretend that humanity is not facing a gigantic global crisis. Another day where we will pretend not to notice the suffering of others. Another day we will merely go through the motions.

Today we will not talk of a potential world war. Today we will not talk of the state of the planet.Today we will walk, work, and pretend the setting hasn’t changed.

Because supposedly “that’s the way the world works”.It’s this belief I’m concerned about. I fail to see how the world works.

Whether looking at the extermination of tribal life, deforestation, addictive consumerism, global warming or potentially a new world war. I guess I don’t perceive it as working. In my opinion, we have become experts at pretending that everything is okay. We frown upon lying and deceive ourselves the most.

A simple honest look at the state of our planet and race is too much for us to face. Thus, sophisticated as we are, we created a facade, a beautiful frame for a terrible painting. With drugs, money and possessions we distract ourselves from the reality, shield ourselves from the pain.

On Friday 13th of November 2015, over 130 innocent people were killed in atrocious terrorist acts. With every body fell part of our delusion. Monsters are no longer restricted to films and folklore, they are no longer in history books or some far off land, no longer hiding under the bed or in the closet.

The monsters have come to us and shattered our illusion of safety.

A year ago, Charlie hebdo. Twice in the last year did attacks take place on Parisian soil. Both events resulted in the same incredible indignation, outburst of outrage and up-roaring union worldwide. First under ‪#‎JeSuisCharlie‬, allegedly defending our freedom of speech. Then along ‪#‎PrayForParis‬.

A beautiful reaction, I think, for all the wrong reasons. Personally making the greatest use of my freedom of speech when making an inappropriate joke I feel paramount of this right comes the right to live. The option to have an opinion. Though here for us it is granted, that’s no true everywhere.

Simply in Syria, 220'000 men women and children have been killed in merely 4 years (statistic dating back to march).

That’s the equivalent of almost a thousand Friday 13th or about 150 daily deaths, to give a small impression.

I won’t even get into the african death toll or the terror attacks in Lebanon. I guess I just have a tough time comprehending why this isn’t considered a worldwide priority. I fail to see how it’s anymore acceptable than the Paris attacks. Though I send my thoughts to all those who have lost someone in these assaults, I believe all human lives have the same value wether here or overseas.

Nonetheless for a brief instant our eyes were forced open, blinded by French flags we spoke of terrorism and its threats. Spoke of the state of the world. Spoke out our true feelings.

But now, again, we forget. Now, again, we are going through the motions. Now, again, we distract ourselves.

I may be naive but I think there’s something incredible about this world, about this life. Life in itself is magical, too often we forget it. Too seldom we fight for it.

What shocked me more than the attacks was some of the responses, blaming refugees and Islam.

The aforementioned immigrants are but running away from hell on earth, horror we’ve only started experiencing twice in the last year.

They are for a great part Muslims who were killed as a Christian or an atheist would by the Daesh. Muslims who in no way endorse ISIS’ beliefs or actions. There’s no need for the Daesh to send kamikazes as they recruit from Europe and America too. There’s no need to import arms and bombs thanks to the dark web.

I don’t have a grand solution or plan. Nor am I scared of dying.

I’m scared of living my whole life acting like “that’s the way the world works”.

I’m sorry for the sincerity. If you will excuse me now, I must go. I must pretend to care again.