There should be no doubt as to whether Friday’s horrific attacks in Paris were political: They were. Any attack on civilians by an "other" always has an agenda to push. The Islamic State groups’ subsequent claims of responsibility ought to remove any traces of skepticism from those who would seek to speak about the attacks in de-politicized terms.
With that said, there is a time and a place to muse about the implications of tragedies brought about by terrorism. No matter how politically charged events such as these may be, for the sake of basic decency, it is crucial for them to be viewed from a comprehensive and humanist perspective.
As international stories of great human loss are wont to do, the Paris attacks prompted individuals not directly impacted by the situation to indulge in their worst ideological impulses. Separated by the Atlantic Ocean and insulated by the comforting knowledge that their loved ones were safe — not to mention the adoration of social media followers and subscribers — American politicians and cultural commentators used the attacks to forward agendas of their own, or figure out what it all "meant" in relation to American politics. On both the left and the right, the quickness of individuals to interpret the tragedy through a narrow, U.S.-centric lens demonstrated an upsetting willingness to eschew any and all considerations for not only the open wounds of France and those affected, but also for the world at large.
As catalogued in Frank Bruni’s column for The New York Times, "The Exploitation of Paris," it took no less than four hours for the ever-alluring appeal of political opportunism to take hold among American ideologues. The ever-charming Ann Coulter tweeted "Too bad there were no concealed carry permits ... anywhere in Europe ... since 1818." Likewise, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich tweeted "Imagine a theater with 10 or 15 citizens with concealed carry permits. We live in an age when evil men have to be killed by good people."
Not content to leave tastelessness solely to the right, Salon published the article "And so the hate speech begins: Let Paris be the end of the right’s violent language toward activists" before Paris’ night of terror had even concluded.
Drawing connections between cultural, social and political occurrences is a healthy and reasonable intellectual endeavor to embark upon — within the confines of good taste. Posting reactionary rhetoric mere hours after a tragedy in the hopes of netting shares, going viral and reinforcing a personal brand is, on the other hand, decidedly tasteless.
What’s more, it seems as though these same opportunists could not find the time within their busy schedules to speak out on the other disasters that afflicted the world last weekend. The bombings in Beirut and Baghdad; the earthquakes in Japan and Mexico. The political consequences and increased visibility of one tragedy should not overwhelm sympathy and consideration for the plights of others.
During fits of intellectual, social or political outrage, it is all-too-easy to forget to consider the feelings and experiences of others. There is, unfortunately, not a doubt in our minds that there will come a day when we once again have to cover a wholly unnecessary and detestable loss of human life. It is only natural the horror of Paris’ nightmare Friday would generate strong sentiments, but it is our hope next time something of this ilk occurs, the American commentariat can place their sympathy and empathy for others before themselves.
