127 people are confirmed dead, and the terrorist group calling itself the Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the latest atrocity in Paris.
Several gunmen and two suicide bombers had specific targets throughout the city: a packed theatre, a busy football stadium, a quiet restaurant, and several more places nearby.
Many are now asking the question why? Why Paris? Why again?
It wouldn’t be hard to believe that after the Charlie Hebdo attack, IS believed Paris was weak, vulnerable, and after another shooting would descend into chaos and panic. Sadly, they weren’t completely wrong. France as a nation will always look back on 2015 as a scar in its past.
However, it should also look back with pride.
No one could have anticipated the strength which the fans at the national football stadium showed when they were evacuated: they didn’t descend into chaos, they walked together, and sang their national anthem.
The French diplomat, when asked if Paris would cancel the biggest climate change conference in history, set to take place in the city next month, responded with two words: “no way.”
This is not a city in chaos, it’s one which has coming together even stronger than before, defying the odds and standing up to those who want to harm it.
We could all learn a lot from the bravery that Paris has shown.
Featured photo credit: Moyan Brenn on Flickr.
