“ people around me are falling back on their sub-identities leaving less room for our common identity as humans ”
terorrist attacks in brussels the day
Eric : The day of the attack was not a good one for me . I remained indoors since we didn ’ t know what could happen next . But the following day I resumed my classes but limited my movements between my room and school campus . On campus I was very vigilant with all movements around my environment .
Naisula : After class I received a call from my host to pick the kids , Moses ( 11 ) and Lloyd ( 9 ), from the school as they were not allowed to go home without parents . The conversation on our way home was intense , Lloyd was quiet while Moses got curious . His first question was ‘ Naisula , are you Muslim ? Why do bad people hurt other people ?’ so many questions I didn ’ t have answers to even myself , I don ’ t think anyone has . I also received a couple of messages from back home to ask how I was , some even wanted me to go home . I think everyone was emotional considering that most of the IOB students are not from Belgium , so the emotions were magnified . Fortunately , I have good social support so it was bearable .
Do you think these events will affect your personal and / or professional life ? How ?
Eric : In one way or another , acts of terrorism will always affect our life . As for my personal life , I have limited my movements to just what is essential . Professionally , I work in Cameroon and we also experience acts of terrorism from the Boko Haram group from Nigeria . But I still go on normally with my daily professional activities . We cannot give in to threats from these barbaric groups . However , we remain very vigilant and ready to report to authorities all suspicious movements and attitudes in our communities .
Valeria : The March attacks have definitely affected me . I had never experienced that type of fear and feeling of insecurity before ; this time the attacks were very close and in places I frequented every day . I am worried about what or where the next ‘ black day ’ will be , because I am sure that 22 / 3 will not be the last one . But at the same time I hope that these
events have not only been a trigger for division and discrimination ; but hopefully they have also been an eye opener , a call for more empathy and solidarity towards those escaping this type of violence and simply looking for a safer place .
Naisula : No , I think terrorism is a global challenge and it can affect any country . A Parisian who lost his wife during the Paris attack wrote to the attackers : ‘ I will not give you my anger , I will not satisfy you with my hatred , and I will not waste a single second of my life on you ’. This made
“ people around me are falling back on their sub-identities leaving less room for our common identity as humans ”
me realize that I do not want to live my life in fear . Whether in Belgium or in Kenya , human nature always prevails , we come together during attacks , that is positive .
Dries : Yes , in the wake of the attacks , many people around me have fallen back on their sub-identities leaving less room for our common identity as humans . Many now seem to explain our challenges in matters of cultural differences , leaving less room to focus on other socioeconomic and political origins of our challenges . In a diverse city where people fall back on their “ own ” culture and identity , it is harder to run a house where kids , teenagers and youngsters from all sides are welcome . Nevertheless , many of our kids are showing that they are very resilient and flexible to identify cross cultures . I always tell them , let ’ s be an example for the world and show that humans can live together no matter their colour or beliefs .
Exchange to change June 2016 7