While many believe that changing their Facebook profile picture filter to the French flag is a beautiful gesture of solidarity, it is unfortunately another example of our Western-centric empathy. If our aim is to show our sympathy for countries whose civilians are viciously attacked, then Facebook is surely missing some flag filters. How about Lebanon, whose people were attacked by suicide bombers in Beirut? Or Mali, where gunman killed and took hostage over 200 of its people? Who is flying their colors for Syria and Iraq? The solidarity we show shouldn’t be influenced by the Eurocentrism of a seemingly “global” company like Facebook. As a people, we must demonstrate that any country attacked by extremists or terrorists will have our solidarity.

by Teddy Mebane
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I think that the only reason people are changing their profile pictures to include the filter of the French flag is because they see everyone else doing it. Honestly, does changing the filter on your profile picture of you and your friends actually contribute to aiding the people affected by this tragedy? No, it doesn’t. The real motivator behind this trend is conformity. Obviously, it’s great to show your support for the victims and their families, but there are more influential ways than editing your profile picture on social media.

by Caroline Barry

Shortly after the terrorist attacks in Paris, social media platforms were flooded with messages of love and support marked by #prayforparis. Joann Sfar, a cartoonist for the French magazine Charlie Hebdo, responded with a drawing begging the public to stop using the religiously connected hashtag. “We don’t need more religion! Our faith goes to music! Kisses! Life! Champagne and joy,” wrote Sfar. Because these types of terrorist attacks are associated with Islamic extremists, innocent Muslims worldwide will be discriminated against for their religion. We should remove religion from messages of support to prevent discrimination. Instead, celebrate the liveliness and culture of Paris, rather than dwelling on tragedy.

by Chanel Shum

The world grappled with how exactly to explain the recent tragedies to children. Le Petit Journal’s viral video, which depicts a young French boy upset over the events saying, “They have guns, they can shoot us because they’re really, really mean, Daddy.” His father doesn’t deny this and highlights the flowers people are putting down “to fight against the guns” and “to protect.” Ordinary citizens can’t do anything that will end terrorism or assuage the fear of it. We can, however, attempt to fill the world with as many flowers as possible, and to not let these horrible acts further divide our world over superficial misunderstandings and hatred.