Tous ensemble

Yesterday, you draped our day under a big black veil.

Today, we paint our pain black-yellow-red.

We are not a proud people. We do not loudly announce our nationality as soon as we enter a room. We barely ever boast with the colours of our flag. But today, despite your efforts to divide us, we stand strong, like on those rare occasions our national football team wins. We stand, “tous ensemble”.

We know that among us, there will be those who try to instill fear on us, but our prayers and songs of love and peace will drown out their ever-growing voices of hatred.

You will not make us doubt the goodness of humanity; you will not taint our innocence. This new generation does not believe in hatred, we do not tolerate violence. Our growing hearts, however filled with doubts, sadness and anger, will triumph over your damaged souls.

I must admit, that for a while, you made me doubt the power of love. I feared that my generation, including myself, would stop believing in world peace. We are so overwhelmed by the negativity that goes on around us, by all kinds of media, that sometimes it is hard to hold on to our hopes for a loving world.

Yesterday was one of those days of doubt, a day on which I mourned the dead and those who are affected. It was also a day on which I held my breath, waiting for the skies to fall down on my head.
But it didn’t, we prevailed.

I am reminded that love and peace will always triumph. I am reminded that my generation is the future, and it will be bright.

Mark my words.