Bastille Day Tragedy: Our Hearts Are With France
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Terror does not know geographical boundaries. It does not recognize the difference between developed and developing worlds. Terror does not respect a person’s lifestyle. Terror does not see labels or race. The very nature of terror seeks to destroy everything good in humanity. But like we have seen in the Bastile Day tragedy that happened yesterday in Nice, at the wake of terror, the best in humanity shines through.
The Bastille Day Tragedy
Bastille Day is an annual national celebration in France. Something like their independence day. It is a day when the people of the country celebrate together. A Bastille Day fireworks celebration came to an end on Thursday night in Nice, a city in southern France, when a large truck ran through a crowd of spectators. According to official reports, 84 people were killed with several others maimed, including children. This is another act of terror happening eight months after the Paris attacks that shocked the world.
This is a senseless attack on harmless, vulnerable people. It is clear that the truck driver’s action was intentional. He was eventually stopped when the police shot him dead. And I can’t help but wonder…what sort of ideology or thinking will cause someone to take the lives of so many people like that? I think of those who witnessed the mayhem, particularly the children, and I know that some lives will never be the same again.
What Drives Me Crazy About Some People
As much as I grieve for the people of France, I also grieve for those who do not (cannot) see that this is not a French issue. This is a human issue that involves every one of us. Most people get this, which is why President Obama and other world leaders are sending strong messages about where they stand on the matter – with the people of France.
Father into thy hands I commend their spirit ???. #prayforparis #prayforjustice ?
Nigerians have also sent out their messages, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji. However the actress has received a lot of backlash from fans. The lifestyle of some Africans, Nigerians in particular is to criticize without mercy. So Genevieve shared a #PrayforFrance message on her instagram, is that enough reason to attack her?
I just don’t get it. How could anyone see the photo of the body bag with a child in it, and a doll lying right next to the body bag and not be moved to tears? Nigerians can just be too much sometimes.
Related: Genevieve Nnaji speaks on The Truth
In the same way, Stephanie Okereke Linus, another Nigerian actress, was bashed because she showed her support for #BlackLivesMatter. She was told to focus on Nigerian lives. This was uncalled for as Stephanie is one woman that continuously lends her voice and support to different causes in the country.
The Real Tragedy
Terrorism of any form is a human issue. It is not a French issue or an American one, but it affects every one of us. Was Genevieve right to post about her support for Nice? Yes! Definitely. That said, we do see where the fans are coming from. One of the comments on her Instagram page said:
“Charity begins at home. A woman was killed in Abuja on Saturday. People getting slaughtered daily in our nation…”
As much as we would like to see African celebrities take more of an interest in the affairs of their countries, in this matter, we stand with Genevieve. Our hearts go out to the victims of the Bastille Day terror attack in Nice, their families, and to the people of France.
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