The terrorist attacks in Paris on Nov. 13 were terrible and absolutely terrifying. As a French citizen it particularly worried me and touched me. After making sure my family and friends were safe, I started to read article after article about it. I read French newspapers and American newspapers. Through newspapers and social media, a lot of comments, opinions and ideas caught my attention. I've been living in Alaska for three years now and I have learned the American way to live, but in all of those comments and opinions one crucial thing was missing: An understanding of the French way of life. As a French citizen living here, I thought it was important I explain why the French reacted as we did and why some comments don't fit our way of life. I am trying to help people understand our point of view. Of course I can't speak for all French people, but this is my take on it.
When I first came to America, I was surprised how much American people show their love for their country. I've never seen French people showing their love for their country as much as Americans do. Since last January and even more since the night of the attacks, French people are showing their love, their support and solidarity. I was only 6 years old when 9/11 happened, and I've never really understood why Americans and the government answered with war, and love for their country. Since Friday, I can now understand. Our President Francois Hollande reacted quickly with war, and the French reacted quickly with love and solidarity by using the hashtag #porteouverte, which means "open door," to help people to find a safe place until the attacks ended.
A lot of comments have been about firearms. People say things like, "If the victims were allowed to carry guns it would have made a difference," but that is not even an argument in France. Nobody has even thought about, "Oh, what if we had guns?" It is important to understand that is not part of our way to live. It does not make us cowards, it's just that we believe in our defense system. We made our decision to not carry guns in 1939 like many other countries, and it would be nice if everyone would respect this choice. If we change our way to live because of the terrorists, they win. If we start living in fear, they win. So no, we are not going to change our laws about carrying guns -- we are not going to think about what if -- because this is the way we have been living for the past 70 years and we are happy with it. I cannot stress it enough: French people are not having this argument right now, because it is not an issue.
For the people who think or say that we didn't know how to protect our country, it is rude and insulting, we are mourning for all of the death and we would do anything to protect our country. Actually since Nov. 13, 1,500 young people per day contact the military about enlisting. Before the first attack in January they were 100 to 150 per day and around 400 since January, according to the newspaper Le Monde. The way French civilians are fighting against terrorism is living their lives, showing defiance as the newspapers do. For example, restaurant and bar owners called everyone to go out, to enjoy our lives, and celebrate living in honor of the dead and in defiance of the fear of terrorism. This is how we, French civilians, can fight terror, not with guns.
Also, the investigation of the attacks revealed one of the terrorists entered the country with a fake passport, and blended with a group of refugees to access Europe and France. Now, many countries and states in the U.S. are worried about welcoming the refugees. I think that is a big mistake.
Those refugees are living hell in their countries, even worse than what French people just went through. We should not fault the refugees because authorities did not do the proper safety checks. They are refugees because they are running away from war, terror and awful living conditions. I believe authorities should be more careful and have more safety checks, but should still welcome the refugees. All human beings deserve to live without the fear of being killed on the way to the market or dropping off their kids at school.
When we talk about refugees we think about a word, an idea, and we forget they are people. If you were trying to find a safe place for your children because of terror in your country, you would want a stable country such as the U.S. or France to welcome you. So let's think about the refugees as human beings and help them in this very difficult time by welcoming them.
We had time to be sad, to cry, for mourning. Now it is time to fight back. As the poet Grand Corps Malade said, "Un pays blessé peut être intelligent," -- "A country in pain can be smart." It is time for us to show we love our country, that we are not afraid, and to work with other countries to fight ISIS before it strikes again.
Manon Grimault is majoring in journalism and public communications at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She is originally from Le Mesnil-Saint-Denis, a little town outside of Paris.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary@alaskadispatch.com.