I see signs saying we are not afraid. Londoners are tough and endured the bombings of WWII. But those Londoners are hardly the same as the ones here today. Yes people in general are resilient, more than we think we can be when looking outside out. That is anywhere in the world, not just in London. And truth be said there is merit in not letting fear control our lives and terrorism win.
Well I just walked into the district line, 5 stations away from Parsons Green and I am afraid. I am not shaking, crying or running away. But I am afraid mostly because it is all so natural. Life must go on I said, as I decided I was not going to cancel my lunch and avoid the tube. But that is what makes it scary. Life goes on and in an effort to not be afraid we recklessly do not change our habits and rely on the stats that more people die on the road then on terrorist attacks. Reality is, the law of probability does not matter because terrorist events are binary.
So I think about my friend who decided to go to work later than usual, my friend who took the bus as she had a doctor appointment, my friend who went earlier to take her daughter to breakfast club. Nothing to do with probabilities really.
So I am afraid, afraid with the unexpected as someone like me spends so much time planning her life. And afraid of what it does to us. Not looking back but always looking over our shoulder.
A man just started playing some instrument and asking for money. People start moving in their chair and are uneasy. People wonder about his race and origin. Is this the right day for him to do this? is this what we will become? Suspicious of all, upset at those that may be disturbing our path or causing a change in normality. Because any change became disruptive. The man is now next to us. Everyone eyes his bag and wonders if he will shout his last words.
No, we are not afraid. But are we not really?
Well I just walked into the district line, 5 stations away from Parsons Green and I am afraid. I am not shaking, crying or running away. But I am afraid mostly because it is all so natural. Life must go on I said, as I decided I was not going to cancel my lunch and avoid the tube. But that is what makes it scary. Life goes on and in an effort to not be afraid we recklessly do not change our habits and rely on the stats that more people die on the road then on terrorist attacks. Reality is, the law of probability does not matter because terrorist events are binary.
So I think about my friend who decided to go to work later than usual, my friend who took the bus as she had a doctor appointment, my friend who went earlier to take her daughter to breakfast club. Nothing to do with probabilities really.
So I am afraid, afraid with the unexpected as someone like me spends so much time planning her life. And afraid of what it does to us. Not looking back but always looking over our shoulder.
A man just started playing some instrument and asking for money. People start moving in their chair and are uneasy. People wonder about his race and origin. Is this the right day for him to do this? is this what we will become? Suspicious of all, upset at those that may be disturbing our path or causing a change in normality. Because any change became disruptive. The man is now next to us. Everyone eyes his bag and wonders if he will shout his last words.
No, we are not afraid. But are we not really?
Comments