Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Stop Naming Terrorists - We Don't Care

Lady with finger to lips, title overlaid
Yesterday, I wrote about the bomb blast in Manchester and how I felt that it was pointless for many reasons. One of those reasons was that the cause, or the perpetrators, would not be remembered, only the innocent and the brave who were caught up in the atrocity. Then, this morning, all over the news, were all the details of the 'loser', to quote Mr Trump (yes, I know, only sensible thing he's ever said!) and it made me really angry. Why are we giving them what they want? Why do we care what his name was or when his birthday is? The mindset of anyone who could commit an atrocity like this is to make a name for themselves, so why are we giving them that opportunity? Stop naming terrorists!

Instead of remembering the innocent victims and thinking about their families and loved ones. Instead of hailing the heroism of the emergency service personnel and the accidental heroes who found themselves caught up in the tragedy, the news is full of the details of a murderer, whose sole purpose was, in his view, to die a hero. By naming him, the media are playing right into his hands and the hands of all those who support these appalling acts. It's wrong. They don't deserve it. They don't deserve anything, let alone being elevated to a level of infamy that will make them a hero in the eyes of other like-minded individuals. Not only is it wrong to give them that, it could potentially encourage others to follow suit. Others who want to be remembered as someone who caused chaos and tragedy in the name of... whatever, who cares. Let's not remember them. I appeal to the British and foreign press to stop giving these people names, to stop reporting details of their sad, pathetic existence, and just refer to them as something bland, such as, I don't know; 'Terrorist A' or 'The Perpetrator'. I'm sure journalists could come up with something more appropriate, but you get the idea. By naming them, they are getting the blaze of glory they want and it's drawing attention to whatever it is they are terrorising people to try and say and we have the opportunity to deny them that. It's the least we can do for the victims of these vile acts. 

To end on a lighter note, I would really like to spend a few moments highlighting some of the positivity that came out of this great city on that terrible night. You may have heard the stories, but I thought it would be good to put some in one place to remind ourselves that there will always be a lot more good than evil in these situations. 

Sunset with silhouetted trees in foreground

Paula Robinson


This lady is my kind of hero. Everyone's mum, she was not even at the concert, but, after leaving nearby Victoria Station, she witnessed traumatised youngsters pouring out of the Manchester Arena. Concerned for their safety, she led around fifty young girls to the nearby Premier Inn, and then, this bit is brilliant, she published her mobile number on social media to allow worried parents to reunite with their terrified children. She and her husband stayed with the traumatised youngsters until all were safely returned to their families. Maternal instinct is a wonderful thing and I can't imagine how grateful the families must have been that she was there that day. 

Kelly Brewster


A devoted aunt to 11-year-old Hollie Booth, Kelly's split-second selfless decision would turn out to be something Hollie and her family will never forget. In the moments the blast took hold, Kelly threw herself between Hollie and the impact of the bomb, shielding her and undoubtedly saving her life. Her protective instinct put a young girl's life before her own and, tragically, Kelly later died in hospital from her injuries. Hollie suffered two broken legs in the blast, but she survived, thanks to her aunt's quick thinking. It is right that Kelly should be remembered as one of the many heroes who shone through the darkness that night. 

Manchester's Taxi Drivers and Hoteliers


Throughout the course of the night, many people were alone, separated from family and scared. Local hotels opened conference rooms to shelter those people, many of them children, and provide them with some much needed comfort and safety. Cafes nearby also provided free drinks for the emergency services, who worked tirelessly throughout the night. It wasn't long before the railway stations were closed, in light of the terrorist nature of the incident and it soon became apparent that many were stranded and couldn't get home. Step up the city's taxi drivers, who turned off their meters and battled through traffic to rescue members of the public and get them home safe. Signs appeared on taxi windows 'Free Taxi if Needed' and all thoughts of profit were put aside. One taxi driver abandoned his car and continued on foot to collect, and return safely, the daughters of Liverpool mayor Steve Rotherham, and I am sure many other similar stories came out of that night, as Manchester's citizens offered what they could to get the victims the help they needed.

The People of Manchester


Far too numerous to mention was, and still is, the endless stream of offers of help from ordinary men and women stepping forward to offer whatever they could to assist their neighbours during this traumatic time. Social media was awash with offers of rooms, food and drink, and comfort, using the hashtag #RoomsforManchester. There were queues outside bloodbanks, of people offering to give blood for the wounded, and people arriving at the makeshift shelter at the Etihad Stadium with bags of food for the victims. The people of Manchester took a horrific act of violence and gave us something to be truly proud of. They showed us what is great about Manchester and humanity itself, as the city pulled together to protect its children. 

There were many more heroes that night, all doing their part, and it would be impossble to name them all, but together they should make us all proud. This is what we want to remember about events such as the Manchester Arena Bomb Blast, the spirit of the good people who worked tirelessly to make it better, the human spirit. Not the few vile scumbags who try to destroy it for everyone. Make the heroes heard. The lights in the darkness, those are the ones who deserve it. 

P.S. 

The quote above was taken from a song, by Disturbed, which you can find below. It's one of my favourites. 









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3 comments

  1. What a great choice of song. Is it not Martyrdom that they seek from their atrocious acts? So why give it to them, totally agree don't name them and in that act we shame them.

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  2. I quite agree. This time I have avoided anything that features the terrorist and the only reason I've seen his face is that I saw it on one of the rags (sometimes called newspapers) for sale in the supermarket. Make them a nothing, an after thought, a non-person, it's more than they deserve as it is.

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  3. What has occurred in Manchester this week is horrific and senseless - as all acts of terrorism are. The perpetrators don't deserve to be 'glorified' but I am actually comforted by the fact that we know who they are - the police know the names of the people who commit or plan to commit these acts. Your blog post however is a tribute to those whose names we wouldn't otherwise have known, those people who committed acts of incredible bravery and compassion that day - it is those people who deserve our attention.

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