This is what I wrote on my Facebook page about France color filter uproar
Why is it about Paris?
I did not use the France flag filter to show my solidarity with the victims of Paris terrorist act, but that does not mean that my heart is not with them. And my heart being with them does not mean that my heart is not with the innocent lives being lost in Beirut, Syria, Iraq or elsewhere in the world. Quite honestly, I am little disturbed with all the postings where people are questioning the use of France colors. Let me ask those people some questions.
When you book your vacation, have enough money to go out on an international shopping spree, plan your honeymoon etc, do you think of Paris as your destination, or do you consider Beirut, Baghdad, Kabul or Yemen as your dream location? When you think of fashion trends, think of where to buy best fragrance from, or order some chocolates, did you ever go to Amazon’s Kabul website? If you want to send your kids for higher education, would you send them to University of France in Paris, or University of Iraq in Baghdad?
France, or for that matter West represents the part of this world where peace and justice (in some shape and form) still exist for the common people. We all are hoping that one day in Middle East, south east Asia and Africa, people could travel and live as peacefully as they live in western world. We hope for people to have the same liberties, and enjoy the same luxuries as available for the people of West. The attack of Paris is the attack on the peace and freedom that we all seek. It’s not about a country or skin color, it’s about the violation of basic human rights, in a city where it was not expected.
I am from Karachi. When violence erupts in Liyari or Orangi town, people feel sad but move on. But when a similar act of violence happens in Clifton or Defence, the sadness and fear elevate further. That does not mean that lives in Orangi are less important. That fear and uneasiness come from the penetration of terrorism into another, otherwise peaceful location. It’s like when you see fire spreading, and when it catches another home, your heart sinks even deeper.
Let’s not play politics on human lives. Let’s not forget that world DID recognize the tragedy of Peshawar and Nigeria. It’s just that we did not pay attention to that recognition, because it did not happen through Facebook. People mourn for the loss of innocent lives, everywhere. That expression of mourning sometimes takes different shape and form.
Facebook never celebrated a heterosexual reunion, but you did see the rainbow color filter. That does not mean that people think that union of a man and woman is not a joyful occasion. Lets not confuse our minds people. Lets be together, as humans.
Tariq
PS: I am not a professional writer, so please ignore my grammar and errors.