Paris. The City of Light. The City of Love. The city in which so many artists and literary figures have found sanctuary, solace and refuge from an unforgiving world.
The city Shay Youngblood fell in love with.
The city with double-breasted suits, coy smiles, white teeth and only first names. First names like Langston. Claude. Countee. Josephine.
Right now, we are watching this city of a million stories re-enact a scene that has become all too familiar, and even more tragic.
Terrorists, through coordinated attacks, have killed and injured hundreds of people. And as the city and its citizens grieve, the authorities are yet sorting out the details and hunting down those responsible for the heinous attacks.
To their credit, law enforcement have been diligent in following up on leads
To apprehend suspects.
The world has also responded to the pain and agony of those in Paris. We have had moments of silence to pray and meditate for the victims of the attacks.
We are raising money for the families of the victims. We are vowing a swift and coordinated response to the terrorists. We are standing in solidarity with the French in their time of mourning.
This is encouraging and heart-warming. Watching the world pray for, support and otherwise stand in solidarity with other humans who are suffering is beautiful.
It is what we are called to do and it restores our faith in humanity.
Every tragedy like the one that occurred in Paris, in which innocent people were taken from this world, deserves the outpouring of support we are watching now.
Every tragedy. Even the ones in which the victims are brown or black. Even the ones in which the victims are women or young girls. Even the ones in which the victims are unarmed.
It is my sincere hope that we’ll get there one day. Soon.
