I can't help but notice and wonder, as to why the colors of Turkey haven't seemed to appear with the same fervor as those of Belgium or France had after acts of terrorism touched those countries. Why our monuments and social media platforms weren't painted red in solidarity. 

In reflecting on this I have two thoughts: First, that Turkey is a Muslim country. I wonder if our hurt, or our agony, of the tragedies in Brussels and in Paris are based on the fact that we as "white-Anglo-Christian" Americans do not identify those places as being subject to such violence. Those harms, those hurts weren't supposed to happen in those places. Just as 9/11 wasn't supposed to happen here... just as the many, many tragedies that have washed over our nation in the last decade. 

Perhaps it's because we see the people of France and Belgium more like us than not. Perhaps it's because we, again, have memories of our own in those places, tourist destinations that are on the list of "safe" and "appropriate" places to travel. A semester abroad in Brussels, a family vacation photo showing the Eiffel Tower in the background. 

Perhaps the daring red of Turkey's flag has been forgotten, because our Western society, in its own warped sense of reality, has determined that Turkey is, maybe not an "appropriate" place, for such violence - but at least an expected forum for such tragedy. Perhaps we don't see the need to change profile pictures, or post news article, to #PrayForTurkey because we've been brainwashed to expect violence in and from a Muslim-majority country. And if that's the case, then shame on us. 

My second thought, is that perhaps, as Americans, I consider that we may be emotionally exhausted. Maybe we're not responding to this, because we don't know how. Perhaps the tragedy of Orlando, which is still to fresh and so hurtful, has compromised our ability to morn yet another loss, no matter how true or how real it may be. And, if this is the case, then we're missing a really big opportunity. And a really big point. 

I can't help but think about how ISIS is taking responsibility for the bombing. The bombing of a Muslim country during their holy days of Ramadan, a time of fasting, and prayer, and charity. I can't help but think about how ISIS is taking responsibility for the radicalization of the Orlando shooter, who open fired on a gay night club, a space of safety, and togetherness, and fun. 

This alone calls me to speak out about the power of our voice, as the self-identified "civilized Western world" when it comes to such tragedies. I can't help but think we're missing an opportunity to fight radicalization or fear or marginalization by not speaking up. 

ISIS can only be successful in radicalizing others if we give them reason to radicalize. What does our hateful national rhetoric about Muslims convey to those we have pushed to the margins of society? When our classmates, and co-workers, and members of our communities are afraid to pray, or be together because of major party candidate has stated that "they know who the bad ones are." What does that fear teach to the next generation? It seemingly teaches that their fears and hurts and angers are well-placed. 

Perhaps we have failed to make the Turkish attacks newsworthy because such a story distorts our version of the news. Perhaps it's because a narrative that highlights ISIS as an extremist violent terrorist organization and not as a picture of the Muslim religion is so contrary to our hateful national rhetoric about our Muslim friends, neighbors, and community members that it doesn't make sense to appear on our television screens. Perhaps if we morn the tragedy of Istanbul, it would confuse our own sense of righteousness, or understanding of the world around us. 

And finally, perhaps, it's because we (read: white America) don't know how to hold tightly the ideals and images of a people we perceive as off-white. Because we don't know how we (read: Christian America) tell a nation that prays differently than we do, that we'll be praying for them. 

But, perhaps, there's room in our hearts, and in our prayers... whatever those look like, however they're said, and whomever they're directed to. 

"When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.” ~ Malala Yousafzai