'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