WARREN | Yes, I will #PrayforParis

Yes, I will #PrayforParis.

Social media often aggravates situations and brings light to menial issues which eclipse important topics. In many cases, social media seems to create more trouble than it is worth.

However, I was impressed by the quick response on Facebook to the attacks in Paris. My newsfeeds overflowed with modified profile pictures and supportive statuses, and the topic #PrayforParis rapidly began trending. People of all faiths, including atheists, included the hashtag in their posts. Though the attacks were attributed to ISIS, an extremist Islamic group, Christians, Jewish people, and atheists, in addition to Muslims, took the opportunity to defend Muslims and remind the public that the religion of Islam does not advocate the same ideas that ISIS promotes. A sense of community deepened among people of different races, cultures, countries, and religions. Worldwide, people united to support France, and resentment grew against the despicable individuals who backed the attacks. The attacks were terrifying and tragic, but for once, social media served as a useful and helpful tool in spreading awareness, promoting tolerance, and uniting citizens internationally.

I was taken aback when I encountered posts which attacked the supportive statuses, profile picture filters, and the phrase “Pray for Paris”. Angry people claimed that the #PrayforParis movement overshadowed recent events at Mizzou and Yale, the bombings in Beirut, the earthquakes in Mexico and Japan, and the Kenyan university killings that occurred in April. Prayers were described as “useless” and “ridiculous”, the profile pictures and French statuses provided evidence that people were bandwagoners, and the overwhelming international support for France was seen by a few as “racist”, because it called attention to horrific events in a predominantly white country while the killings in Kenya, a predominantly non-white country, did not receive as much exposure and support.

Yes, some people changed their profile pictures because their friends did. Yes, racism is a major issue in today’s society, and it needs to be addressed. Yes, horrible things occurred on the 13th, and they should receive attention as well. No, not everyone supports prayer, which is understandable. No, the #PrayforParis movement is not racist in any way, shape, or form—it occurred in a large, well-known country and spurred social movement due to the manner of the attacks and the involvement of a terror group which grows as a threat to multiple nations.

Average Americans cannot do anything/much to stop ISIS or prevent earthquakes or attacks on foreign universities, but by changing our profile pictures, posting statuses, and praying for Paris (as well as other affected countries), we are standing together and attempting to display our support. In the real world, social media posts have no monetary or physical value, but the French feel our support from across the ocean. We could donate to relief funds, which would bring us one step closer to physically aiding the French, but aside from this, there is nothing more we can do to display our support, because we are incapable of stopping ISIS as individuals. The French government has taken action against ISIS, and the U.S. government may get its act together before an attack occurs in America, but as individuals, we cannot make the process go any faster.

Regardless of whether or not one is religious, it is important to acknowledge that to many who are religious, prayer is the strongest support one could offer. As individuals, people are powerless, but prayer is the only thing one could do to help. Tragedies occur every day, including violent crimes, perpetuation of racism, and natural disasters, and as individuals, we pray because prayer is the only aid we are capable of providing to those affected.

So, yes, I will #PrayforParis. And I will #PrayforBeirut, and #PrayforKenya, and #PrayforJapan, and #PrayforMexico, and #PrayforAmerica.