I Won’t Let Terrorism Scare Me From the World

by Nicole Hobday

Today I write with a solemn heart, in light of the atrocity committed in Orlando. 50 Americans were gunned down in an LGBT club in an act of radical Islamic Terrorism.

I couldn’t possibly express the sorrow and outrage that this causes, and my heart is with the victims and their families, and amazing law enforcement and medical responders who bravely worked to stabilize the situation and save whatever lives they could.

All of this brings us a startling reminder. There is a global force of hate in the world that frequently targets congested groups of people, particularly in Europe and America. The sad truth is that it could happen anywhere. No one in the Bataclan went to a concert with even the vaguest thought that they would be involved in a massacre. Club-goers in The Pulse nightclub in Orlando just went out like any normal Saturday night. To hang with their friends. To dance. Maybe to kiss someone new.

Makeshift memorial for Orlando’s Pulse nightclub

Flowers outside Paris’ Bataclan concert venue

The prominent presence of terrorism in the world is scary. It’s meant to be. It’s meant to frighten us. To make us feel as though no where is safe. And yes, the hand of ISIS is a long one, spreading like a disease.

I have a trip to Europe planned for September. My father, educated and ex-military, has made it quite clear that he is very much against me going anywhere in Europe, out of concern for my safety. I knew he would. I didn’t even mention it to him before I bought my  plane tickets.

We must be vigilant. We must always be aware of personal safety, whether we’re going to catch the city bus for work or traveling to a different country. But we must not stop living. We must not stop traveling. We must not stop seeking new places and meeting new people.

I am not going to let bullies keep me from seeing the world. I am not going to let bullies keep me from making human connections. Travel inherently spreads love and understanding. It reminds us that we are all part of this world. It’s more important than ever for the human race to function like we’re all one. To function as though we share this world. We need to share this world, in harmony.

So yes, we must be sharp. We must be safe. But we must not let fear hold us back. We must not let this dark wave smother us. So yes, I this fall I am going to Amsterdam, Prague, and Berlin. And I’m not going to let anything stop me. You shouldn’t either. Because you are a force for good in this world, and that should not and cannot be stopped.  Travel on ,and travel safe, my friends.