Soon after the attacks in Paris, a symbol for peace began showing up everywhere, showing how a single iconic image can unite people in tragedy. Many on social media argue that an image doesn’t help anything, and that people changing their profile pictures just want to look supportive without taking real, meaningful action. But it is a powerful emblem of hope and solidarity and restoration. It says we stand with you. It says we feel deeply for the people of Paris. It says they have not beaten us. It says we will rebuild. We. It says what we all feel at a time that we are powerless to physically help the situation. It is a placeholder until meaningful action is possible. It says we are not afraid; terrorists will still kill, but they have no power to terrorize those who do not fear them.
The image is a powerful thing. Charlie Hebdo, another tragic French casualty, is a very recent testament to the power of the pencil. A symbol is a thing of beauty in the face of ugliness. It is a gesture of humanity, saying that even though I am not a citizen of France, today we are all French. It is universal and transcendent. It says liberté, égalité, fraternité. It says long live France, and long live the resilient human spirit. It says we are all one, united against the dark forces of this world.
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November 19, 2015 at 3:49 am
Well said and very touching.