BY ELLIE CONSTANTINOU
“Get a cab
back and make sure you don't come home alone”
If I got
paid every time my Dad says this line as I’m running out of the house on a
night out, I wouldn't be sat here waiting for Student Finance to text me every
few months. Living in London used to mean living in a diverse, open-minded and
most importantly, safe city. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a Londoner and I
wouldn't want to call anywhere else home. The problem is that my parents now
worry about my safety even more than they used to, every time I leave the
house.
On the
morning of Friday 15th September, there was an explosion in West London on a
District line train heading for central London. When I heard the first report,
my initial reaction of shock quickly turned to “Not another one”. Throughout
the morning I found myself checking for updates on the situation, but ashamedly
I didn't feel hugely traumatised by the situation, and I had no fear or
nervousness about going out that night. It goes without saying that my thoughts
and prayers are always with those affected by these selfish acts, whether it be
victims or their families, yet sadly I no longer find myself in disbelief when
they happen.
Like many
other people, I’ve become desensitised to terrorist attacks. These incidents
happen way too often, and the reports and updates sound exactly the same every
time. The only change is the number of fatalities, casualties and innocent
people that are affected by thoughtless, cowardly acts.
At a
friend’s house the evening of Friday’s attack, we were discussing whether to
get the Tube or a cab to the club we were going to. As part of our argument to
persuade ‘Team Tube’ that we should get a cab there, we jokingly brought up the
fact that Prime Minister Theresa May had increased Britain’s terror threat
level from severe to critical. We laughed it off as evidence for our argument and
continued debating, ending up getting the Tube to the club.
The fact
that we’re so desensitised to these attacks and remain completely unaffected by
the number of tragic events that have been taking place says a lot about the
way we’ve adjusted how we live. My Dad can warn me about staying safe more
often than he used to, and he can object against myself and my siblings going
to crowded places like football matches or concerts, but we never listen. It
might be that we’re naïve, or that our generation values entertainment more
than our own safety, but regardless, the dangers of living in London never
deter us from having a good time.
This might
be one of my most favourite things about being a Londoner. The way in which we
come together, as a city, a nation, a part of the world as a whole. The fact
that, despite the number of attacks we hear about, we still want to go out,
live our lives as best as we can and help one another as much as we’re able to.
The number
of people that offered to help after Friday’s attack, as well as after all of
the attacks we’ve heard about, has been inspirational to say the least. The way
in which people offer their homes, food and care to victims gives me hope that
we won’t let these individuals stop us from living. We’ll continue to live and
love, as our city knows how to do best. We’ll learn from these events that life
is unpredictable and that anything can happen at any time. We’ll appreciate
those around us more, sharing love and kindness to everyone. We’ll live with
caution, but never in fear.
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