Paris, 14-11
For as many ways as my essence might be divided, categorically or chronologically, I know that the truest border is Paris. There was the me before Paris, and there is the me after.
For as many ways as my essence might be divided, categorically or chronologically, I know that the truest border is Paris. There was the me before Paris, and there is the me after.
The City of Lights enlightened me, showed me a new world, and assured me that I was part of it. And when I speak of Paris, I am not gushing over the marvel of Eiffel Tower, the beauty of Sacre Coeur or the elegance of the Champs-Elyésées. My romantic Paris is that of everyday life, which there is so extraordinary: sharing a bottle of wine in front of the supermarché with a young married couple and a vagabond; discussing Louis Farrakhan with a Moroccan man at McDonalds, eating phở and baguettes in the 13ieme arrondissement, drinking wine with the beur concierge discussing the conflicting identities of the children of immigrants in France.
And today, the news, the deaths, the pain. Yes, I know that we see killings all over the world, and for sure magnitud, this event is minor, but still I cry because this is a city after my own heart. I cry because in a place where humanity has reached such lofty peaks, we again see it fall to these lowest of inhuman depths. We are reminded that there are human beings who only want to see other humans suffer.
And now, will that young married couple share their wine with the vagabond if he is an Arab? Can young men still discuss geopolitics over burgers and fries without one or another fearing for their life? What will be of the beur concierge whose Muslim name will be a constant reminder of violence? How can we enjoy Parisian parks, bar or concert halls without worrying that this type of thing will happen again?
In this clash of cultures, can one side choose pacifism and not risk obliteration at the hands of the other? Is either sides violence justified?
I wish so dearly that I could convince everyone that despite these terrible attacks, there is no clash of cultures. We, all of us, Christians, Muslims, atheists, capitalists, anarchists, are only here to live, love, and die.
