I'm not really one to post spontaneously, nor am I someone who shares my innermost thoughts and feelings freely, but I'm still processing what happened in my hometown of Manchester last night. Normal service will resume tomorrow but it just felt wrong to talk about anything else right now.
Terrorism can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time and atrocities are committed across the world every day. This isn't something we should ever forget. Nor should it be something we actively fear and allow to limit our lives. It just hits you on a new level when it happens in places you have fond memories of, somewhere you used to walk past everyday to work, to people you could know and love... Although no one I know has been affected, I'm sure all of us with loved ones in Manchester had that nightmare 'are they ok?' moment. Luckily for most of us they were, but it could have so easily gone the other way.
It's easy to make what has happened political and for people to make this about their own agenda; twisting a tragedy to fit whatever divisive narrative they're trying to spin. Please do not buy into it. Terrorists create fear not only by making us scared to go about our day to day lives but by dividing us, turning us against our neighbours, planting seeds of mistrust in our minds towards one another. However I think we have to stand together now more than ever.
In the darkness of what has happened we saw some glimmers of hope that show just why I'm proud to be from Manchester. People helping one another and reaching out in whatever ways they can is what we are all about and it was incredible to hear to stories of the emergency services and just normal civilians looking to do something of assistance. I'm sure our city will come out of this stronger and more united than ever.
My heart goes out to everyone affected and everyone who is hurt each and every day by senseless hate and violence. Regardless of politics, geography, culture, language and everything else; we all deserve to live in a world that's safe, where we are free and where we are judged for who we are, not what we are. It's times like these that my belief in that world and our ability to one day reach it is truly tested, but I don't want to give up and I hope you won't either.
Thank you for sharing this Jasmine! I'm from Manchester and the MEN is so close to my heart. The kind acts of so many make me so proud, it's so important for people to stick together now more than ever! I hope you're okay xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you Jodie - I hope your friends and family are all ok xx
DeleteAll day I've been having just a few thoughts in my head, all those innocent kids taken away, all those parents and families crying for them, all those missing, scared and traumatised...
ReplyDeleteIt's an awful world we're living in but we can't let the fear take over, the terrorists can't win!! Sending hugs, Jasmine! xx
It's all just so awful :( but I agree, we have to try and stay strong xx
DeleteAs a fellow Manc I am so incredibly proud of what our town has done. They will never kill our spirit. xx
ReplyDeleteI agree <3 xx
DeleteI'm so proud of all Mancunians helping out where they could. I feel the people uniting, and I can feel it right through the internet. What a horrible topic today, sadly it's just something we can't ever avoid or solve :'(
ReplyDelete<3
We just have to keep striving xx
DeleteBeautifully said Jasmine. My heart is still aching for your city and the people affected. It's times like this we need more good in the world. And WE have to provide that good <3
ReplyDeleteTahana x
I couldn't agree more xx
DeletePrayers to everyone affected by this tragedy. Hope you & everyone you know are safe and well <3
ReplyDeleteNicole | The Glam Surge
Thank you Nicole, I'm so grateful that they are safe xx
DeleteThank you for sharing this post. What happened in Manchester is just awful, I don't understand how a person can do that, it really does show the worst side of human nature. But, you're right - We all must stick together. So many people came together to help each other and the situation which shows the goodness in human nature. We all need to unite and become one, not divide.
ReplyDeleteChloe @ https://girllgonerogue.blogspot.co.uk/
Definitely, it sometimes seems that we have to see the worst of humanity to see it at its best xx
DeleteI still cannot believe what happened, it is so sad. I was watching the news yesterday and I could not process all this, small kids that went to a concert to have fun with their friends and never returned home. So sad. We must all stick together and we can fight this, thank you for sharing this Jasmine.
ReplyDeleteYiota
It's awful, isn't it, I don't think the parents dropping off their kids could ever have imagined they wouldn't see them again :( xx
DeleteThanks for sharing this, it's written in a very lovely way. It's nice to know that there are good people in the world, willing to support those in need - that's what gives me hope. I'm glad to know you are okay, my heart goes out to all the families who are suffering right now.
ReplyDeletehttp://claresloves.blogspot.co.uk/
That's exactly how I feel xx
DeleteIt's so horrible that this is the world we currently live in.
ReplyDeletewww.upyourvlog.com
I know, I just wonder if it'll ever end...xx
DeleteSo well written, Jasmine. My thoughts are with all of those suffering xx
ReplyDeleteBeautylymin| LuxurySkincareGiveaway
Thank you Siobhan xx
DeleteTotally with you jasmine us Mancunians always come together when it means the most. Everyone offering so much support feels my heart with a little hope 💕
ReplyDeleteYeah it's nice to see those little bits of hope xx
DeleteBeautifully written, Jasmine and I hope this will bring the people together instead of letting fear tear us apart. Terrorism knows no race, religion or gender and we must stand together as one.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more xx
DeleteThank you, Jasmin. We stand together xx
ReplyDeletealicered.co.uk
It was refreshing to read such a personal post like this and I think out of all of this, it's shown how Manchester clearly has an amazing community. It doesn't justify bad things happening but I do find that how people come together after a tragedy, complete strangers, to be really quite beautiful and inspiring.
ReplyDeleteJulia // The Sunday Mode
It definitely gives you a bit of hope after such an awful event xx
DeleteIt's something that's really quite difficult to believe, especially when it happens in your home town. I have been to countless events at the MEN and know people that have been directly affected by the attack, it's important to support each other at times like this and show a united front. Great post Jasmine!
ReplyDeleteAmanda xx
It's crazy, as it could have happened to any of us :( xx
DeleteI know, it really has restored some of my faith in humanity to see how people have pulled together xx
ReplyDelete