The news "Terrorist attacks rock Paris" in the Nov. 15 edition blew our minds and frightened the world. It was the second-most shocking news to me after the terror attack on the Twin Towers in New York in 2001.
I'd like to extend my condolence to all victims and France.
This news reminded me of the terror attack in New York and the comment by Peter Jennings of ABC News. He said after reporting about the terror attack that violence against innocent people shouldn't be forgiven, but it is also very important for us to think what made them take that action against us, looking back at what we had done to them before and what they had been thinking about on the other side of the world.
It was very shocking to hear his comment only one day after the terror attack in New York, but we have to reflect on what has changed in the world in the past 14 years. Have we addressed the gap in our thinking and paved the way for peace since then?
We waged war against Iraq, sent troops into Afghanistan and so on. Have we saved the poor and needy people by filling the gap between the haves and the have-nots?
Of course, as we need first and foremost to stem the violence against innocent people, we common people can rely on our authorities, but there must be something that we can do as individuals for world peace even in the midst of this turmoil.
While showing our resilience to terrorism, it is imperative that we do not stop giving for the people who need our help. Otherwise, our overprotective attitude will exacerbate discrimination against minorities and xenophobia, and cause a worse scenario. I know that saying this is easy, but we need to remember that marginalizing minorities always breeds hatred in their minds.
It is high time that we all think seriously about how to coexist with different people to make sure human rights are inherited equally all over the world.
The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.