'Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.' - Ralph W. Emerson
I think that a basic problem of the wave of global violence is the fact that we don't understand WHY all these things are happening. This is at least my personal reaction on the terrible happenings in Manchester last night.
Why?
I'm swooning, paralyzed and unable to think about anything else than these kids that died for being at the wrong spot at the wrong time.
Trying To Understand The Uncomprehensible
We are full of impotent anger, standing helpless in the face of global violence.
The supposedly determining point is the fact that it could theoretically happen to all of us at any time. We could all become victims of an act of terrorism right now.
We are not safe anymore. Nowhere. That is surely something that has a decisive impact on our lives.
Paris, Nice, Berlin, Manchester - the frequency of these cruel attacks is increasing.
The places we call home have become targets of brutal violence. As a consequence we automatically hold governments responsible for the lack of security.
The most popular correlation is the belief that these attacks are a reaction on the wars fought against the Islamic State.
Picture: Iraqi solders during a training with US forces, 250km from Bagdad (Source)
There have been military conflicts in the Middle East for decades. However, fightbacks outside the operational zones are a completely new dimension.
It seems that these extremist groups and organizations have chosen the perfect moment to recruit more and more members in Western nations and strengthen their networks there.
Domestical conflicts are arising, populism is prospering, millions of forgotton people who are facing serious economical problems have lost their confidence in any established system or political organization.
Economical challenges lead to social conflicts. Racism, radicalism and anti-Semitism are booming more than ever. The flow of refugees coming from Middle Eastern war zones adds fuel to these movements.
Our doors are currently wide open to alternative world views.
Many people are frustrated and find a new perspective in these radical groups. They find a new home there.
In the end the religious belief system of these people is not the main problem. It's the application of religion in order to justify violence, to justify any act of terrorism, to justify suicide and murder.
The possibility to believe in something gives these lost souls a new perspective.
Now regular people might ask themselves: why should we be paid back for all these conflicts outside of our personal area of authority?
As a consequence many people are starting to mistrust governments and their system or even actively rebelling against them.
Well one might believe that this is exactly what the offenders are pretenting: They invade our countries in order to destroy them from the inside.
By revealing the vulnerability of our own security system, they fuel mistrust, protest and rebellion among us and accomplish their goal without even having to intercede personally.
I'd like to repeat the introduction quote now:
'Piece cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.' - Ralph W. Emerson
If we took the time to analyze the motivation for these acts, we might be able to find a way to properly respond to them.
Refusing To Be Hurt
If there is one thing that we should not do then it's following the oppressors rules.
Why do these assassins suicide themselves in the middle of festivals and concerts where families and kids are enjoying their time? Because they want to hurt us where we are most vulnerable.
I myself will keep on living my life as always. I won't neither hide myself nor avoid spending time at public and crowded places. I won't let these people manipulate my life.
Furthermore, I won't hold anybody responsible for these happenings without knowing the facts. I will rather try to animate people to stick together and peacefully stand up to violence.
'Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.' - Mahatma Gandhi
Let's pretend that these radical groups stop growing. That's probably the only thing that all of us can actively contribute to.
Let's try to fight back with human values.
There’s a great quote by Carlos Slim, and he said: 'Most people think they need to make a better world for their children, but the reality is we need to make better children for our world.'
Quote by Ashton Kutcher being interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres
Let's try to be human. Let's try to keep up our core values of humanity. Let's try to teach our children to live these values and ensure that tomorrow's world will be better than the one that we are living in today.
May the people who died in Manchester rest in peace and their families be surrounded by strong shoulders where to lean on.
Marly -
Picture sources... title: dailystoic.com; Mahatma Gandhi quote: naturallybrittany.wordpress.com; Manchester flag: fineartamerica.com
Sad day for the world again, thanks for sharing your feeling and let us take a look into your great soul. Such posts sometimes drive discussions we do not always need (no matter what political side you belong to) - people get mental over certain topics. Glad to have you here @surfermarly
Thank you for such warm words, Uwe! I'm very very glad you are here, too!!!
It's impressive how some people are able to behave in a "social" environment. It's been exactly as you said: this article was meant to show compassion, empathy and it was mainly dedicated to the people who lost their lives last night, as well as to their families and friends that must be suffer like nobody else on this planet right now. That some people use this situation as a forum for their distorted shout outs is simply incredible. They don't even deserve to be flagged. They don't even deserve to be named.
Everyone has their own way of grieving... so, compassion all around.
Thanks my friend...
You're welcome. Your heart runs deep 💓 b
I'm really at a loss for how to resolve this issue. The obvious natural reaction to attacks like this is hatred, anger, and a desire for retaliation. But retaliation is exactly what these groups are hoping to draw out. When we retaliate we end up killing innocents as collateral damage, and we destroy the very infrastructure that these countries need to create the stability necessary to fight extremism. In the end our attacks feed the flames of terrorism. We've (the West) been fighting a direct war in the Middle East for almost two decades now that has seen daily causalities and countless bombs dropped. Yet terrorism is at an all time high. At what point do we come to the realization that our current strategy cannot work?
I honestly think the best response, and one with the most realistic chance of helping, is the exact opposite of what we've been doing. Instead of drone strikes, spec ops missions, and military support for oppressive regimes (such as $400B arms deals to Saudi Arabia), we should focus on providing support in the form of education, infrastructure, etc. Remove ourselves militarily from the Middle East while remaining there as a humanitarian presence.
The only problem is that the attacks will continue in the short term, and it would require us to turn the other cheek. I don't think people as a whole are capable of that, and I don't think its a politically tenable position to hold. So I suspect we'll hold the course, and nothing will change. We'll see the continued rise of right wing nationalism, and the result is not something I wish to see.
You've brought up some really thought provoking points here. If the current strategy doesn't work (and it doesn't), then alternative solutions have to be brought on the table. But war has been replied by war ever since. It'll be hard to achieve a paradigm change on a global level.
I couldn't agree more on your very last statement. These movements and their followers are a true threat.
You're right, the problem is war has always been (and probably will always be) the response to acts of war. And on some level, it's easy to see why. People talk about how violence doesn't solve violence but then how are we supposed to respond to acts of terror/war? What happened in Manchester is an absolute tragedy but now what do we do moving forward? People are not going to just forgive acts of terror or respond with peace when innocent civilians are killed. So we have to find a way to hold those responsible accountable without launching ourselves into a war that only ups the ante. We just don't think long term; we see our people die and demand revenge which just contributes to the never ending cycle.
As I just posted as well please take their power away from calling it terrorism and call it POINTLESSNESS . Here in our country we have no choice nor say on immigration nor tourism, it is the almighty dollar which rules supreme, it is financial under currents which drive this, the DOW dropped last night and then a spokesman for the FED came out and said we have the investors backs. How can the ordinary man compete against this , this is why Steem and other is so valuable as meaningful business and life can continue. We must keep as you say educate and pray the evil out.
Education they're not interested in their book says kill all non musloems. That is their true goal anf they're going to follow it.
I have seen first hand what these conflicts can do to a country, in light of the Manchester attacks I have seen a lot of anger on certain social media sites, with my experiences I believe that violence is not the answer we need to take religion off the table.
Extremism is an ideology and that is what we need to unite against, the media do not help by calling them muslim of islamic extremists that just labels them ans puts in the religious corner. You're right understanding why is a step in the right direction but will not be a full solution, it can only serve to assist a possible solution.
Thank you for sharing this post, my thoughts go out to everyone affected by the Manchester attacks.
Well said! What a horrific act done for no reason against a completely harmless crowd just trying to have a good time.
Rest in peace to all who have died as a result of this horrendous attack.
Yes, it's horrific and hard to comprehend.
We need more dreamers. Remember John Lennon, "All we are saying, is give peace a chance."
Yes we do! Thank you 🙂 Some light at the end of this thread.
I feel saddened for those people affected :(
Me, too :-(
As a mother of a teenager, this hit me hard. I made sure to tell my son how much I loved him when I dropped him off at school this morning.
So far they have released that among those who have lost their lives were two girls, one 8 and the other 18.
Absolutely tragic. My heart goes out to all of those affected.
I can totally relate! I have two young brothers and it really affected me that even children were killed. It's something that is simply impossible to understand...
I'm still kind of paralyzed.
Thanks for sharing this, Marly.
I lived in Manchester for about a year and have a lot of close friends there. Hearing about this was heartbreaking.
I can't imagine what the families of those victims are going through.
I think this line of yours says it best: "Let's try to be human."
Thanks for stopping by Wade. I can totally relate. Last summer there was a shooting in Munich. My heart stopped beating when I received the news. My two little brothers live there, fortunately they were far away from the spot. My whole body was shaking when I called their numbers. I remember it as if it was yesterday.
Even they were safe it felt terribly close and I cried for the ones that didn't make it. The same happened to me after Manchester, although I haven't ever been there and don't know any of the victims. You automatically feel compassion and it touches you anyways.
Yes, let's try to be human and a good example. Have a good day!
We need to understand that the West is at war with the Muslims. We bomb their neighborhoods killing thousands and they retaliate with guerrilla attacks. They didn't start this war. We did because we wanted control and resources.
This is the harsh truth. We just happen to over-advertise our casualties and downplay theirs.
Actually it's the muslims who are at war with each other and the west is backing who serves their interests. Trump's speech in Saudi-Arabia makes that very clear.
It is complicated but we are killing their people nonetheless.
So lets not get upset when terrorists who we didn't have to let into Europe kill European children... after all... we 'deserve it' is what you're saying right? Those children deserved to die is your argument, nice, real classy, scumbag.
You can get upset all you like. Just make sure you get upset with all of the people that caused this. Not just what they are feeding you on tv.
We don't 'bomb their neighborhoods' we target their terrorists, who brutalize their neighborhoods. More over, if we were at war with Muslims why the fuck did we invite them into our countries?
Think again.
http://drones.pitchinteractive.com/
A country is never at a war with every citizen of another another. This didn't even apply during the World Wars. We also need their cheap labor since we won't do most jobs they are doing.
You're fake man. Fake hyperbole on one side, won't extend it to another. If we are at war with Muslims, we should NOT invite them to our country, despite how much we might not want to do plumbing, I think those children's lives are worth more than your fatso convenience.
You run out of arguments and decided to attack me personally? Classy.
I am not at war with the muslims, neither are you. Your politicians and benefactors are.
Also it is not up to me to invite them. So how can I be fake? I think you are being overly emotional.
Exactly, click your own link, we targeted their terrorists, and it sometimes (often) kill "innocent" bystandards (not necessarily innocent, just not the target). They target our innocent bystandards. Stop equivocating, its nauseating. We get it, you hate your own people.
This is exactly how they thought about those children.
What's nauseating is that you value western life higher than eastern. If you wonder what is wrong with the whole situation about the east vs west take a good look at a mirror. Your mentality.
We don't do shit. We fund terrorists and occasionally attack the Syrians and civilians, then try and blame it on Russia or Assad.
Stop supporting Israel and Saudi interests and it would all be over but terrorists are already breed.
ughh here we go. Blame Israel. You know.. if you were around during the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades.. you would still blame Israel.. or a more direct group of people.
no the harsh truth is that you are in denial and have been completely brain washed by western society. In truth we are no different from "them" as they conquer and destroy themselves. The only difference this time is you have been softened by Western Society. Taught that you are some how more enlightened to believe violence begets violence when in fact you could lay down and do nothing but still be slaughtered for not sharing the same beliefs. No offense.. time to grow up.
the so called peace full religion shows again it not at all peace full
You are pawns in the game of world domination. They are pawns that are attacking the different colored pawns because they are not able to reach the king, queen, bishops or rooks, and the Knights are replaced quickly.
Calling the other side's pawns "oppressors" evidences your need to step back and take another look. The "oppressors" are not even on the board.
dumb. Nothing happened to these terrorists which warrants their violence. Nothing happened in their whole lives as tragic as what they just did to those children, you fucking spineless people disgust me with your empathy for terrorists.
If you can set aside your emotions for a bit, consider the word ' blowback'. Deny it all you want. Call me names all you want. The facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.
http://50shadesofpissedoff.wordpress.com
These fake platitudes are killing children. The 'concern' for racism is killing children. When are Europeans going to stop virtue signaling the west into a terrorist playground?
Make better children? We had perfectly lovely and kind children who were just killed, raised under our values. What are you babbling about?
That vulnerability you feel, thats how it feels when your governments do NOTHING to stop this and everything to encourage the next one. Your vague shit uses every corny euphemism possible, you can't even bring yourself to same Muslim or Islamic.
We are sick of this shit, and you're not helping. Call out the terrorists, we know who they are and we aren't 'racist' for mentioning it, stop punching WEST and start identifying the problem.
Once again, the greatest killer of all time, Religion gets to claim another your sould.
full steem ahead!
@streetstyle
@baah Name a government or country that hasn't been influenced by religion?
nice post
All world should meet-up and try to clean this violence , peace should be everywhere.
"The most popular correlation is the belief that these attacks are a reaction on the wars fought against the Islamic State".
This is false. I take the position that we were fooled when we were told we had "advanced". No, infact we are going right back to our origins.. and that's war. This is the saddest part of human history that we just cannot run away from. If you lay down your weapons for defense.. you die. Simple as that.
It's just another terror hoax (a PsyOp).
All about about curtailing freedoms and war propaganda.
I thought people on Steemit were more clued up.
How are you able to call that a PsyOp or propaganda?
Why am I even replying...
Why?
I'm swooning, paralyzed and unable to think about anything else than these kids that died for being at the wrong spot at the wrong time. ? Those children did not "die" they were murdered , and not because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time, they were murdered because somewhere in the world a small group of people decided that their idealogy was the only one that should prevail, so they began to murder people, women , children , artists, whomever they decided was of little to no value, now this is not new and they arent the first ones to come up with this particular brand of "conversion". good bad or indifferent these people under the guise of religion have decided that if they cannot have the world they want then nobody can. so you can wait them out and hope they eventually come to their senses but how many bodies stack up? Nations are half assing the attempt to quell this little uprising only because it has an affect trade and money, "cant we all just get along" nope never in the histroy of this planet has that ever occured. Can you beat an idealogy? sure the catholics were burning people at the stake and warring with the "enemy of god" a long time ago and they quit. unfortunately for us the use of swords and pikes have gone by the way side and bombs and cars are now the weapon of choice, should we live in fear? naaaaa dont mistake fear for caution. should we "cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war"? only if that is what we are truly intend to do, remove all the "r.o.e" that only we operate on and turn them loose. sounds harsh well it is, but who wants to offer their child up as the next sacrafice to the god of patience and understanding? and to get your head around the fact that these people have made a very effective science of turning normal everyday people into mass murderers , they have shown their commitment time and time again , the only problem is we have never done the same, can you fix it nope can you kick it back another couple of hundred years ? sure , i dont think this problem is fixable its manageable and always has been unfortunately for both sides that management will involve a lot of blood.
(no comment)
(hugs @surfermarly )
:-)
It is a sad day for the world.
Image Source
This is always what happens AFTER an event such as Manchester.
Your comment fits in there perfectly.
Well how hard is it to understand!? Peace can be achieved by criminalization of the retards , psychos, ignoramus and primitive individuals, religious freaks , tribalists, intellectually challenged individuals, politicians that provide so called democracy and equal rights to above mentioned members of society .Not the crime but the criminals should be fought against, not corruption but the corrupt PEOPLE .
Define "primitive individual".
Primitive Individual= 1)Poorly functioning grey cells. 2)Failed entry exams to reputable high education institutions. 3) Scientifically illiterate person. 4) Intellectually challenged .5)Low level of general knowledge i.e. ignoramus. 6) Failed IQ and EQ tests. 7)Failed social skills test.
Surfermarly what's Your take on it?
the parade of conspiracy theorists is equally as bad as the apologists. You people need to be publicly humiliated and shamed, you're awful. There are parents identifying their children right now, fuck your stupid theories and your basement confidence that you know what you're talking about.
We all know its Muslims, the pathetic obfuscation by sickos like you is not going to work. Delude yourself, no one else could possibly be this stupid. You probably have a wall full of news paper clippings with strings connect them you fucking whackadoo.
actually there is a whole movement of these people. Very dangerous to me and my family. They refuse to acknowledge what might end up killing them.
The OP is too much of a coward to say who did it, but he knows. You're a whole level worse, a true scumbag.