Editorial: Tragedy reaction divided

Mourners light candles at a Place de la République in Paris, France.

In the days since the Paris attacks, it's been interesting and at times uncomfortable to watch the social media reaction.

Facebook has been dominated by the tragedy and, on my timeline at least, there have been three distinct stages.

First the floods of people taking up Facebook's offer to turn their profile pictures red, white and blue in solidarity with the people of Paris. Everyone who did that had a reason, all their reactions were valid and no one's business but their own.

Equally those that didn't post about Paris or change their profile picture weren't necessarily unaffected. Then, the "tragedy hipsters", as they've been dubbed, ("I care about suffering and death that you've never even heard of") began to take over. Asking why the world - and their friends presumably - didn't mourn and turn their profile pics to the colours of Lebanon, Syria or Kenya. The implication being those "praying for Paris" cared about these victims more because they were white, or Christian, or Western.

Many made legitimate points, but those accusing others of being manipulated by the mainstream media, or being racist, uncaring or ignorant to what was happening in the world came across as earnest at best, high-handed at worst. Now, it's on to the backlash.

The defiant "I will not be made to feel guilty for caring about Paris" posts. Some justify their links with Paris, others say if they let themselves grieve every tragedy around the world they would be emotional wrecks, unable to function.

It is human nature to be more affected when tragedy hits closer to home. It's why many locals will be more affected when a Rotorua person is killed than someone somewhere else. Why we wanted to know if there were any New Zealanders in the terror. The "closer to home" doesn't just apply in a literal sense.

Many Kiwis have been to Paris, walked the now-bloodied streets, eaten at its restaurants. Fewer can say the same about Lebanon or Syria. What will the next stage be? How about a non-judgmental conversation about how we can educate ourselves to make a difference that goes beyond symbolism? Social media has a role to play in facilitating that, but moralising, jumping on bandwagons and diminishing others online is not the way to go. After all, we all want the same thing - an end to bloodshed, everywhere.