It has been said only two true emotions exist: fear and love — an adage that has been illustrated many times in the last few days.
On Nov. 13, Paris was rocked by a series of terrorist attacks that killed 129 people, injuring hundreds more. The ISIS-coordinated attacks succeeded in striking fear in the hearts of Parisians and people across the world — a near-stampede through the city was set off after firecrackers were mistaken for another attack, and several large-scale events in France and beyond were cancelled out of concern of further incidents.
But, like America saw after 9/11 and other tragedies, human goodness can alleviate — although surely not eviscerate — fear. Thousands gathered together to silently mourn the victims outside the Cathedral of Notre Dame, while untold numbers of Parisians rushed to donate blood. Buildings across the world, including here in Philadelphia, set up light displays in honor of France’s national colors. Just down the street from the PGN offices, a resident raised a French flag outside his house.
People worldwide made efforts, no matter how seemingly small, to show support for the victims, their loved ones and France as a whole — and to send a message that love is stronger than fear.
But a new conversation emerged this week that is threatening that message. As Syrian refugees fleeing the ongoing violence in that country seek resettlement, leaders of some American states are looking to close their doors, arguing that such refugees could be seeking to do harm to Americans.
That notion, jumbled by partisan politics, is at its base rooted in fear — and has evoked a sharp divide among Americans. Those who say our borders should be closed to Syrian refugees posture that they are seeking to keep their communities safe, seemingly acting out of love. Though, when fact-based research is brought into the discussion, that position appears to be motivated primarily by fear — fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of compassion.
These are dichotomies the LGBT community has seen time and time again. When marriage equality was won nationwide, opponents rallied against what could happen, against change, against welcoming same-sex couples into the institution of marriage. Many claimed that their positions were based on the good of children, or of families. But when real, scientific thought enters the conversation, opposition to LGBT equality is exposed as solely a response to fear of progress.
Many times throughout the LGBT-rights movement, love has been shown to win. Let’s use those lessons and again push for love to conquer fear.