I'm writing this less than 24 hours from Christmas Eve. A night on which millions of people will exchange hugs, kisses, gifts and stories with family members and friends. There will be laughter, smiles and jokes. There will also be tears and fights, because that's what family does.
That's because almost all of us are blessed with family. Family that is safe, healthy and with us. We know if our family walks out into the street they will almost certainly make it to their destination safely. We don't have to worry about chlorine bombs or airstrikes. There aren't rebels waiting in allies to kidnap and kill our moms, sisters and nieces. Our little brothers and sisters are crying to strangers in fear that they are going to die.
No. When our family goes outside, when you go outside, you aren't in immediate danger.
The civil war in Aleppo, referred to as the Battle of Aleppo, began in 2012. The battle in the city is one of many involved in the Syrian Civil War. Four years later, many of us are just hearing about the war-torn Syrian city. Before 2012, Aleppo was much like any other central city. Its streets were lined with beautifully ornate buildings and it was highly populated. But it took only four years, the same amount of time many of us spend in high school, to destroy its unique beauty.
There's no point in saying war is bad, and that war needs to end. We all know this, even if we have different opinions on how it should be ended. There is, however, a point in talking about the events occurring in Aleppo.
Maybe I'm speaking for myself, but I didn't see any mention of the Syrian Civil War on my Facebook feed until a video was released of the citizens of Aleppo begging for help. In debris filled streets and empty, lifeless rooms, the citizens of the city sent videos throughout the world in a near hopeless cry for help from anyone who was willing to give help. Men and women of all ages explained their situations in brevity that was both fearful and fearless. Following their please for help, came videos of chlorine bombs taking out the city and the "only children's hospital in Aleppo". The videos were graphic and heart wrenching as they provided anyone brave enough to view them a realistic peek into the pain the city's dwellers were experiencing. Children were crying out in fear of death or simply sat quiet in pure shock. Parents were forced to say goodbye to the one piece of hope and happiness they had left as their children laid lifeless in front of them. Suddenly primary source videos, news reports, photographs and articles began to flood Facebook. Not a single person didn't watch each one, and the media firestorm grew and grew.
Before Aleppo, Syria was primarily the concern of those who watch or read the news. The general public was likely to be aware that their was a war, but they often focused on the issue of refugees. In fact, the discussion of Syrian refugees was a topic often discussed during election season, and was faced with many opposing views. People saw the refugees as violent, uneducated and poor people who would do nothing for their country's economy or well being, if anything, they would destroy it. Others felt that the refugees deserved to be welcomed with open arms. Throughout this entire debate of whether first world countries should be welcoming refugees, there wasn't much talk of what could be done to help them recover from the traumatizing events they'd just experienced.
Let's go back to the Christmas conversation. Would you reconsider letting your cousin who just lost her mom or dad stay with you? Would you tell your little cousin he couldn't eat dinner next to you because he couldn't talk to the same level you could? Would you worry about the economic stability of a family member who was just in a car accident? No. You'd hug them. You'd offer them kind words, and hand them their gift with a smile. All the while you would remind them that life wouldn't be the same without them.
These Syrian refugees don't have that. Instead, they are being observed by most of the world, like bugs in under a microscope. Some countries have flat out turned their backs on them. Saying they would cost too much, and they aren't as intelligent as the rest of their country. Very few people are offering these human beings a warm meal free of charge. Aleppo is our chance to change that.
It's okay if you don't agree with welcoming refugees. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, everyone is also entitled to living in happiness and safety; everyone is able to help provide that. Whether it's a small donation of one dollar or making it a point to stay up-to-date on the activity in Syria, every little bit counts. Talk to your parents about Syria, and see how they feel about that state of the country. Let your friends know about a petition that's collecting signatures to help improve refugee camps. Get together with a club, organization or work place and see if there's anyway you can collect money for the orphans of Aleppo. It's the season of giving, and that applies to everyone, especially when they've lost everything.
Aleppo isn't just important because of the potential humanitarian work it offers us. It should show us that we can all be greedy. This holiday season take a moment to consider what you have that others may not. Obviously acknowledge your family and friends because they will always be important. But also think about how lucky you are to have safe air to breathe. That you will have a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in at night. That, hopefully, none of us will ever know the fever of waking up to the sound of our neighbors, friends and family members losing their lives at the hand of a stranger. It's a little dark for the holiday season, but these are things we unknowingly take for granted. They're also things we don't consider when we judge those that no longer have what they once loved.
Whether you decide to take action and help those in need in Aleppo and refuge camps, or you just take a few seconds to breathe in some fresh air, remember how valuable the things we've always had are. Remember that Aleppo doesn't have that.
