My heart is heavy with the news of the recent terror attacks in Manchester. I almost can’t bear to look at my Twitter feed. But I do. In today’s world we are drawn to whomever is spitting out facts and statistics. We are moths to news’s flame. We should know, must know the absolute truth.
I can’t decide what is true and what is false. I can’t figure out what is right and wrong. I have a few things that I do know. I know that in times like these we must urge people to send positive thoughts toward the people of Manchester. We must unite together and show love and support for those involved in the attacks.
And we must also use logic and reason. We cannot jump to conclusions nor point the finger of blame. We must stay calm and stay strong, because terrorism is a serious issue that cannot be tamed with anger or hate or bias.
Music is one of the most beautiful works of art in the world. For many people, music is a safe place. Music is a world away from the one we inhabit. Music is peace and serenity. It is heartbreaking that such a hateful crime was committed in a place of love and joy and peace.
My heart goes out to anyone and everyone affected by these attacks. While Manchester may be an ocean away from us, to me the victims of this attack are all too close. This could have been a Taylor Swift concert. This could have been the Taylor Swift concert I attended last year, in the capital of our nation. These teenagers that have lost their lives could have been my schoolmates. These parents searching desperately for their children could have been my mother and father.
Today we are all from Manchester. Today we must realize that flags and anthems do not define us. What defines us instead is the air we breathe and the planet we live on.
And that is all the same. Because we are all human.